The App Store remains dominant, along with Apple Pay for tap-to-pay. However, in terms of online payments, Safari is no longer the exclusive choice. In the upcoming iOS 16 and its beta version, Apple Pay can be used in Safari and third-party browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
Recent findings by Steve Moser of MacRumors.com indicate that Apple Pay is now available in third-party browsers such as Microsoft Edge for online shopping. Apple Pay also functions in Chrome and Firefox on iOS 16 beta, as well as likely in other third-party browsers.
While Apple Pay remains the primary tap-to-pay method for iPhone and Apple Watch, it is no longer restricted to Safari for online shopping. Third-party browsers in the macOS beta version do not support Apple Pay yet, possibly requiring engine updates for compatibility. Currently, on iOS and iPadOS, third-party browsers utilize Apple's WebKit rendering engine, while macOS browsers use their own.
This shift may be influenced by Apple's efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act, set to take effect in the EU by spring 2023. The act aims to reduce monopolization by large companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Apple, enabling smaller companies to compete more effectively.
For users with iOS 16 beta, have you observed Apple Pay functionality in third-party browsers? Any feedback or issues to share? Feel free to leave your comments below!
