Apple Pay has been operational in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for some time, but the tech giant is collaborating with local banks to enhance its support. Additional card network customers in the UAE and Qatar will soon be able to utilize Apple Pay.
Support from UAE’s Jaywan and Qatar’s Himyan for Apple Pay
According to DMN, the iOS 18.4 beta 3 code reveals that Apple is partnering with UAE’s Jaywan and Qatar’s Himyan to facilitate compatibility for their cards with Apple Pay. For those unfamiliar, these are card networks comparable to Mastercard and Visa, each possessing their own payment systems.
While Himyan has not made any public announcements regarding Apple Pay, a recent document from Jaywan indicates its commitment to “fortifying the UAE’s status as a global leader in digital payments,” which includes integrating support for both Google Pay and Apple Pay.
In this context, AEP has formalized agreements and collaborations with prominent international payment networks like Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and UnionPay to allow customers in the UAE to use Jaywan cards, enhancing their global reach.
AEP has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung Gulf Electronics to integrate Jaywan cards within the Samsung Wallet, enabling seamless payment options via smartphones.
The upcoming phase will also include the introduction of Jaywan in Google Pay and Apple Pay.
With Apple Pay, users of iPhone and Apple Watch can link their cards to the Wallet app for contactless payments in retail environments. Additionally, Apple Pay is compatible with online transactions via apps and websites.
As iOS 18.4 is projected to launch to the public in early April, it is anticipated that Jaywan and Himyan card support for Apple Pay will follow shortly after next month.
If you notice any further updates in the latest Apple betas, feel free to share them in the comments below.
