--- title: "Apple Pay Gets New Features to Make Payments More Convenient" url: https://digitaltechbyte.com/apple-pay-gets-new-features-to-make-payments-more-convenient/ date: 2026-08-29 modified: 2026-08-29 author: "Brijesh Desai" description: "Apple Pay gets new features to make payments more convenient, including a redesigned checkout interface, American Express rewards redemption, Tap to Share, and debit-card top-ups. Apple Pay gets new features..." categories: - "News" tags: - "American Express Membership Rewards" - "Apple Pay checkout redesign" - "Apple Pay India" - "Apple Pay iOS 27" - "Apple Pay new features" - "Apple Pay rewards" - "Apple Wallet updates" - "contactless payments" - "debit card top-up Apple Pay" - "digital wallet" - "Tap to Share" - "Walmart Apple Pay" image: https://digitaltechbyte.com/wpbytes/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/apple-pay-1024x536.webp word_count: 787 --- # Apple Pay Gets New Features to Make Payments More Convenient **Apple Pay gets new features to make payments more convenient**, including a redesigned checkout interface, American Express rewards redemption, Tap to Share, and debit-card top-ups. # Apple Pay gets new features to make payments more convenient **Apple Pay gets new features to make payments more convenient**, with four major additions arriving alongside Apple’s iOS 27 update. The changes improve the online checkout experience, let American Express cardholders redeem rewards points directly, introduce a new Tap to Share feature for in-store purchases, and add support for topping up eligible debit cards through Apple Wallet. The upgrades are designed to make Apple Pay more than a simple tap-to-pay service. Apple is gradually turning the platform into a broader digital wallet that combines payments, loyalty rewards, contact sharing, card management, and shopping information in one interface. ## Redesigned Apple Pay checkout The biggest visual change is a redesigned Apple Pay checkout interface for websites and apps. Users can now swipe between cards directly from the main checkout screen instead of opening a separate card selector. Tapping the card area opens a grid showing all available Apple Pay cards. Additional card information, including rewards balances, account balances, instalment options, and pay-later features, can also appear during checkout. This could make Apple Pay more useful for people who manage several cards. A user may choose a rewards credit card for one purchase, a debit card for another, or a card offering a promotional instalment plan — all without leaving the payment screen. ## American Express rewards in Apple Pay Apple has also partnered with American Express to let eligible cardholders redeem **Membership Rewards points** directly within the Apple Pay checkout flow. When paying online or inside an app with a supported American Express card, users will see a new **Use Rewards** option alongside their available points balance. Customers can apply points toward part or all of a purchase without first transferring them to a separate loyalty account. At the reported redemption rate of **0.7 cents per point**, 10,000 Membership Rewards points would equal a $70 discount. The feature could simplify rewards redemption, although users should still compare the value with alternative options such as travel transfers or statement credits before applying points. ## Tap to Share for in-store shopping Another new feature is **Tap to Share**, which extends Apple’s Tap to Pay technology for in-store purchases. Customers can bring their iPhone close to a participating merchant’s iPhone to securely share selected information before completing payment. The information may include: - Email address and other contact details. - Shipping address. - Loyalty programme information. - Rewards details. - Relevant shopping or order information. The aim is to reduce repetitive form-filling at checkout. Instead of reading out an email address, entering a shipping address, or searching for a loyalty account, customers can approve the information exchange with a tap. Apple says the feature will launch this fall, although it will depend on participating merchants supporting the required technology. ## Debit-card top-ups through Wallet Later this year, Apple Pay users will also be able to add money directly to supported debit cards through Apple Wallet or during checkout. This will allow users to manage card balances without switching to a separate banking app. Availability will depend on participating banks and card issuers. Apple has not indicated that every debit card will support the feature immediately, so users may need to wait for their financial institution to enable it. ## Walmart begins accepting Apple Pay The Apple Pay update arrives as Walmart begins rolling out contactless payments at selected US stores and Sam’s Club locations. Customers will be able to tap compatible iPhones, Apple Watches, contactless cards, and other supported devices at checkout. Walmart plans to expand the service to all US stores and clubs by the end of 2026, with fuel stations expected to follow in 2027. Walmart’s acceptance is strategically important because the retailer had resisted Apple Pay for years. Its decision expands Apple Pay’s reach in one of the largest US retail networks and gives consumers another major place to use contactless payments. ## Availability Most of the new features are expected to arrive with the public release of **iOS 27 in autumn 2026**. Some are currently available in beta, while features such as Tap to Share and debit-card top-ups will depend on merchant and banking support. The exact availability may vary by country, card issuer, and retailer. Features involving American Express rewards and debit-card management are likely to launch in selected markets before expanding more widely. **Summary:** **Apple Pay gets new features to make payments more convenient**, including a redesigned checkout experience, American Express reward-point redemption, Tap to Share for in-store purchases, and debit-card top-ups. The update, combined with Walmart’s decision to accept Apple Pay, strengthens Apple’s position in digital payments and mobile wallets.