Apple's mobile payment system and digital wallet — Apple Pay — has launched in France and Hong Kong.
Apple Pay was initially launched in October 2014 and it was available only in the U.S. Since the initial launch, the service has now made its way to many other countries and leading retailers including Macy's, McDonald's, Sephora, Subway, Stables and more support Apple Pay.
"Apple Pay is simple to use and works with the cards you already have on the devices you use every day. And because your card details are never shared when you use Apple Pay — in fact, they aren't stored on your device at all — using Apple Pay on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad is the safer and more private way to pay," says Apple.
During the 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple confirmed that the mobile payment system will be made available in other countries in July this year.
"And Apple Pay is expanding hugely geographically," said Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of software engineering at Apple. "It's now available in the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, China and Singapore and, in the next few months, it's coming to Switzerland, France and Hong Kong."
In early July, Apple Pay was launched in Switzerland and now the service is also available in France and Hong Kong. According to Apple's Hong Kong website MasterCard, American Express and Visa credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by Standard Chartered, Hang Seng Bank, DBS Bank (Hong Kong), Bank of China (Hong Kong), and American Express will support Apple's digital wallet.
Apple suggests that Apple Pay support will soon come to Bank of East Asia and Tap & Go in the near term.
Apple Pay customers in Hong Kong can use the service Apple Pay at retailers such as 7-Eleven, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Pacific Coffee and more.
In France, Apple Pay is supported by MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards from Banque Populaire, Caisse d'Epargne, Carrefour Banque and Ticket Restaurant. Apple (France) website suggests that Orange and Boon will soon support Apple Pay.
Apple's France webpage notes that Apple Pay can be used at Bocage, Cojean, Eram, Sephora, Simply Market and more. Apple Pay customers in France will soon be able to add loyalty cards to their Apple Wallet app and them to make purchases via Apple Pay.
It remains to be seen, which other countries get Apple Pay support next.
