For over a decade, Apple Pay and PayPal have made millions of users‘ lives easier by transforming how we pay with mobile devices.
Apple Pay allows you to tap-and-pay at store checkout counters in seconds using your iPhone or Apple Watch. PayPal enables you to securely checkout online, send peer payments or accept customer payments with ease.
But what about combining these two payment giants?
Many consumers understandably ask: "Can I add my PayPal account balance or cards into Apple Pay?"
It‘s a great idea in theory. However, direct PayPal integration with the Apple Pay tap-and-pay wallet is not possible currently.
While we await the potential Apple Pay + PayPal collab in future, don‘t worry! This guide will outline actionable workarounds so you can still utilize PayPal conveniently across your iPhone and iPad workflows today.
We‘ll cover:
- Making contactless QR code payments through PayPal‘s app
- Connecting PayPal with iCloud for one-click online Apple payments
- Adding alternate cards temporarily to Apple Pay
- Changing your Apple Pay default payment method
Let‘s get started!
Why Would I Want PayPal on Apple Pay Anyway?
But first – a fair question may be crossing your mind…
Why even bother connecting these two payment platforms in the first place?
Great inquiry! There are a few compelling reasons why PayPal integration with Apple Pay would be useful for consumers:
Ecosystem Convenience
For iPhone loyalists invested in the Apple device and services ecosystem, keeping payments mainly within Apple‘s walls via Apple Pay is appealing. Tightly integrating your PayPal account – which may be your primary online payment tool – can complete the closed loop.
Funding Source Flexibility
Managing debit/credit cards across various payment apps can be tedious. If Apple Pay could access your PayPal balance or linked cards directly, you can consolidate payment methods under one roof.
Seamless Omnichannel Spending
Tap-and-pay with Apple Pay at the physical store checkout…then tap-and-pay again with PayPal via Apple Pay for an online purchase in the same shopping session. It streamlines the consumer journey tremendously!
But until direct technical integration occurs between the two payment networks (pending rumors suggest it could happen eventually)…
Let‘s explore the next best options to intersect PayPal with your Apple device payment flows today.
Contactless QR Payments with PayPal
While you can‘t add PayPal as a payment card within Apple Pay just yet, PayPal does have its own equivalent contactless mobile payment feature via QR codes.
Here‘s how it works:
Step 1: Launch the PayPal App
Open the PayPal app from your iPhone home screen and log into your account.
Ensure you‘re logged into the correct PayPal account you wish to use for payment.
Step 2: Tap the QR Code Button
In the top right corner, tap the QR code icon to activate contactless payment mode.
This shifts the app into QR code generation mode – preparing to securely transmit your payment details to the retailer.
Step 3: Select Payment Method
On the next screen, choose your preferred payment source – whether your PayPal balance, bank account, or an attached debit/credit card.
You can fund the QR code transaction via multiple stored PayPal payment instruments.
Once selected, a unique scannable QR code tied to your chosen funding source will appear on screen.
Step 4: Cashier Scans Your QR Code
Assuming the retailer has contactless QR payment capability enabled, the cashier will simply scan your QR code using their payment terminal to collect your payment details.
This allows you to tap-and-pay with your iPhone just like Apple Pay! The funds will deduct securely from your designated PayPal payment method.
So while not directly Apple Pay, accessing your PayPal wallet via QR codes allows for similar checkout conveniences.
And QR code mobile payments are accelerating in adoption:
| Mobile Payment App | QR Code Payments Supported? | % of Users Who Have Tried QR Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Pay | No | 0% |
| PayPal | Yes | 15% |
| Google Pay | Yes | 13% |
As more retailers onboard contactless payment support, transacting via QR codes with PayPal is a handy option to enable tap-and-go iPhone payments for places where Apple Pay is not accepted.
Next let‘s look at…
Connecting PayPal with iCloud
While PayPal may not plug directly into Apple Pay just yet, you can connect your PayPal account to your iCloud profile. This allows PayPal to facilitate seamless one-click payments for iTunes media, App Store purchases, subscriptions and more.
Here‘s how to set it up:
Step 1: Access Your iCloud Profile in Settings
On your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on your name/iCloud profile at the top of the menu.
This houses the payment methods associated with your iCloud account.
Step 2: Select Payment & Shipping
Scroll down and choose Payment & Shipping.
This is where you can modify the payment methods linked to your Apple ID.
Step 3: Tap "Add Payment Method"
To connect a new payment method like PayPal, tap the Add Payment Method button.
We‘ll divert from the default Apple Pay credit/debit card setup flow.
Step 4: Select PayPal
Rather than adding a physical card, choose PayPal from the payment method options.
And with a couple quick confirmation taps, you‘ll connect PayPal to your iCloud ecosystem.
Step 5: Log Into PayPal
A browser window will open requesting you enter your PayPal login credentials to authorize the pairing.
Once connected, you can use PayPal effortlessly to transact across Apple‘s digital content stores or subscription services.
For example, one-click payments to:
- Stream movies/shows on Apple TV+
- Install paid iOS apps
- Access iCloud storage upgrades
- Replenish Apple Cash card funds
- Renew Apple Music subscriptions
Managed all conveniently via your trusted PayPal account!
While PayPal may never exhibit up as a payment card in Apple Pay, housing it in your iCloud wallet still enables streamlined online Apple transactions via PayPal.
Add Temporary Payment Cards to Apple Pay
Until direct PayPal integration reaches Apple Pay (if ever), an alternative is adding your physical debit/credit card temporarily to access tap-and-pay functionality at checkout counters.
It only takes a few minutes to connect them.
Navigate to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card and input your card details when prompted. You may need to enter a verification number texted by your card issuer.
Once successfully added, just double-click your iPhone lock button near a checkout NFC terminal to pay using that card.
Be sure to set your most-used card as the default payment method. Which brings us to our next section…
Change Your Apple Pay Default Card
As you add and remove various cards in your Apple Pay wallet, it‘s important to configure your default payment card appropriately as it streamlines tap-and-go checkout habits.
Here‘s how to change it:
Step 1: Enter Wallet Settings
In the iPhone Settings, scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
This is where all your contactless payment card preferences are stored.
Step 2: Tap Default Card
Tap Default Card below your list of connected payment cards.
This option controls the priority funding source suggested when using Apple Pay.
Step 3: Choose New Default
Designate whichever card you want automatically selected when double-clicking your iPhone lock button within stores.
For instance, if you have the Apple Card added, setting it as the Apple Pay default allows you to maximize Daily Cash rewards on tap-and-go transactions.
Or if wanting to complete an installment plan purchase, having that card readily available cuts checkout friction.
Revisiting your card pecking order periodically optimizes usage.
Hopefully someday we‘ll see PayPal as a configurable option here too!
When Will PayPal Integrate With Apple Pay?
We‘ve explored some handy workarounds for iPhone users to intersect PayPal with contactless payments, iCloud commerce, and in-store Apple Pay today.
However, directly adding your PayPal cards or balance to power Apple Pay tap-and-transactions remains elusive…for now?
Many consumers and payments industry experts speculate eventual Apple Pay – PayPal integration is inevitable.
Clues backing this theory up include:
-
Lyft recently began accepting Apple Pay using PayPal‘s processing rails on the back-end, suggesting openness to collaborating through shared financial infrastructure
-
PayPal users can now push funds to digital bank accounts/debit cards like Apple Cash or Apple Card, hinting at joint account capabilities
-
Apple Pay already partners with major financial institutions and other third-party wallets, so negotiating final technical hurdles with PayPal seems feasible
While purely speculation for the moment…we remain optimistic tight platform alignment between these two payments giants is possible.
And this guide outlined the next best options PayPal-wise in the interim using any iPhone device today!
Let us know if any other Apple Pay or PayPal questions come up.
