Yes, you can use Apple Pay without physical touch (contactless), but you must authenticate each transaction using Face ID, a passcode, or by utilizing Express Mode for transit. While physical interaction with the payment terminal is avoided, authentication via your device is required for security.
Use Face ID with Apple Pay on your iPhone
To use your default card, double-click the side button. To use a different card, double-click the side button, tap your default card, then choose another card. Glance at your iPhone to authenticate with Face ID.
Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode to manage these settings: Turn Touch ID on or off for Passcode, iTunes & App Store or Apple Pay.
Apple Pay uses security features built-in to the hardware and software of your device to help protect your transactions. In addition, to use Apple Pay, you must have a passcode set on your device and, optionally, Face ID, Touch ID, or Optic ID.
To use Apple Pay on your phone, double-click the side button (or Home button on older models), authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID, then hold the top of your iPhone near a contactless payment reader until you see a checkmark and "Done". You can switch cards by tapping the default one before paying, and it works in stores, apps, and online wherever you see the Apple Pay logo or contactless symbol.
Go to Settings > accessibility > Touch >Assistive touch.
On an iPhone with Face ID, you can also use AssistiveTouch or use Switch Control to confirm payments with Face ID instead of double-clicking the side button.
You can use Apple Pay where you see contactless payment symbols such as the following: Note: In addition to accepting Apple Pay, the merchant must accept your payment card and payment network. In other countries and regions, you may see different contactless payment symbols.
No, Apple Pay and Apple Wallet aren't the same, but they work together: Apple Wallet is the app (your digital container) that stores your credit/debit cards, loyalty cards, tickets, and passes, while Apple Pay is the technology/service that uses those cards in the Wallet to make secure, contactless payments in stores, online, and in apps. Think of the Wallet as your physical purse and Pay as the tap-to-pay function.
To use Apple Pay in stores, you double-click the side button on iPhones with Face ID or the Home button on iPhones with Touch ID, authenticate (Face ID/Touch ID/passcode), then hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless reader until you see a checkmark. On an Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the watch near the reader.
Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode to manage these settings: Turn Touch ID on or off for Passcode, iTunes & App Store, or Apple Pay.
How to use Apple Pay online or in apps
Paying for journeys is easy using Apple Pay and works the same as using a contactless card. You just need to touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. Only touch in on buses and trams. It's now even faster and easier to use this method.
There are two ways to pay in store: Field detect: Hold your iPhone near the contactless reader without placing your finger on Touch ID or entering your passcode. Your iPhone screen will light up, and you'll see your default card on your screen.