Eurozone's MB WAY pioneers NFC payments functionality on Apple's iPhone devices
In a significant stride for digital payments in Europe, Portugal's leading mobile payment app, MB WAY, has now integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on iOS devices, allowing users to make secure, contactless payments. This development marks a milestone in the evolution of mobile payments across the continent and a testament to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that has paved the way for this transformation.
The DMA, enforced this year, has mandated tech giants like Apple to grant third-party apps access to their NFC chips, a capability previously exclusive to Apple Pay. This move, aimed at fostering fair competition and promoting innovation, has enabled MB WAY to become the first euro-denominated app in Europe to offer NFC payments on iPhones.
Before the DMA enforcement, Apple's refusal to share NFC input hardware and software access with competing mobile payment developers was seen as an abuse of its dominant market position by the European Commission. However, following an official EU Commission decision in July 2024, Apple made legally binding commitments to open NFC access to third parties for a decade, monitored by a trustee.
This regulatory influence has forced Apple to loosen its walled garden approach to NFC and payments on iOS devices, enabling apps like MB WAY to integrate seamless contactless payment features. As a result, MB WAY users on iOS can now enjoy the same seamless contactless experience already available to Android users since 2017.
Madalena Cascais Tomé, CEO of SIBS, one of the founding members of EuroPA, has stated that this development ensures a consistent and inclusive user experience across platforms. With this update, MB WAY further strengthens its position as a benchmark for user-centric, interoperable payment solutions in Europe.
Launched in 2015, MB WAY has grown to become the most widely used mobile payment solution in the Euro Zone, boasting over 6.5 million users and processing over 1 billion transactions yearly. The addition of NFC payments is set to enhance its popularity and usability, offering users a more convenient and seamless payment experience.
SIBS remains focused on developing secure, interoperable, and future-proof solutions that simplify everyday life for people and businesses. The evolution of MB WAY to offer NFC payments on iPhone reinforces this commitment to innovation, convenience, and freedom of choice.
This step forward in the evolution of mobile payments in Europe marks a significant moment for digital payments in Portugal and across the EU. The DMA has been the critical regulatory framework that compelled Apple to allow MB WAY access to the iPhone's NFC chip, thus facilitating NFC payments on iOS devices in Portugal and across Europe for the first time. This breakthrough promotes greater competition and user freedom in the European digital payments ecosystem.
ffnews.com reported that the DMA, enforced this year, has forced Apple to allow third-party apps like MB WAY to access iOS devices' NFC chips, boosting the evolution of mobile payments in Europe. This development has made MB WAY the first euro-denominated app in Europe to offer NFC payments on iPhones, thereby fostering fair competition and promoting innovation in the finance sector.
With the addition of NFC payments, MB WAY users on iOS can now enjoy the same seamless, technology-driven payment experience as Android users, further strengthening its position as a leader in business and finance solutions in Europe.
