{"id":69098,"date":"2026-06-11T16:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=69098"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:40:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:40:45","slug":"ios-27-tap-to-share-not-available-in-the-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/news\/ios-27-tap-to-share-nicht-in-der-eu","title":{"rendered":"Tap to Share: iOS 27 brings new merchant feature via NFC"},"content":{"rendered":"

With iOS 27, Apple introduces a new feature called "Tap to Share" that extends the payment process at the checkout counter by enabling data exchange via NFC. However, there's a catch for users in Germany and the rest of the EU: the new feature won't be available at launch.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple is further expanding its contactless payment system on the iPhone. Tap to Share is part of iOS 27, the first developer beta of which is available as part of the beta wave launched at WWDC<\/a>. The feature is aimed at merchants and allows them to connect their iPhone to a customer's device via NFC tap \u2013 not only for processing payments, but also for exchanging data during the purchase. Apple already describes the feature in the official developer documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What's behind Tap to Share<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tap to Share is an extension of Tap to Pay on iPhone. This already established feature transforms an iPhone into a point-of-sale terminal: Merchants can accept contactless payments directly on the device, without any additional hardware. Customers tap their iPhone, Apple Watch, a contactless card, or another contactless payment method against the merchant's iPhone; the transaction is processed securely via NFC \u2013 similar to Apple Pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tap to Share addresses this very issue: During an active Tap to Pay session, data exchange can be initiated with the same tap. All that's needed is an iPhone and a supported payment app that utilizes Tap to Pay on iPhone. This is primarily intended for small businesses, market stalls, and similar sales situations where complex point-of-sale technology isn't worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three functions at the sales counter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple divides Tap to Share into three use cases. First, customer data can be requested directly at the point of sale: With a single tap, customers share precisely the information they wish to disclose \u2013 contact details, a delivery address, or an email address for the digital receipt. If the customer's device lacks native support, the same tap activates a web app as a fallback solution, allowing data to be transmitted just as securely and the shopping cart to be reviewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the feature supports Wallet passes: Merchants can enroll customers directly on their iPhones in membership or loyalty programs and accept their passes at checkout. Customers, in turn, can securely add the passes to their Wallet. Third, Tap to Share displays the complete shopping cart on the customer's device \u2013 including discounts and reduced prices. Finally, payment can be made via Apple Pay, either as a full payment or a partial payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security and system requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For data exchange, Tap to Share utilizes the iPhone's integrated security and privacy features. According to Apple, the information transferred between devices is visible only to the customer and the app being used. iOS 27 or later and at least an iPhone 12 are required. An active Tap to Pay session is also necessary, as Tap to Share relies on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not yet available in the EU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crucially for German-speaking regions: Tap to Share is not yet available in the European Economic Area. This area includes all EU member states \u2013 including Germany and Austria \u2013 as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Apple has not provided a reason for this delay or a timeframe for a possible later launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This puts Tap to Share on a growing list of features that are missing for European users at launch. The most prominent recent example is the completely redesigned Assistant, whose delay in the EU Apple explicitly cites the Digital Markets Act as the reason<\/a>. The company remains silent on whether similar regulatory considerations underlie the EEA exclusion of Tap to Share \u2013 in the case of the Assistant, however, the dividing line runs precisely along the platforms covered by the DMA<\/a>. (Image: Apple)<\/p>\n\n\n\n