Apple might introduce its take on digital wallet cards within the iOS 16 update.
Gear up, web shoppers! Seems like Apple's hopping on the virtual card bandwagon, right after Google made its announcement. According to a sneaky peek from 9to5Mac, digging into the newest iOS 16 beta, they've stumbled upon hints suggesting that Apple might be developing virtual card support within Safari.
Virtual cards are a lifesaver for your bank balance, and your peace of mind when online shopping. Some banks hand you these cards as an option, keeping your actual card details away from the digital claws during data breaches. They're also handy for banks to cancel at a snap, or issue one-time use alternatives.
Now, let's put on our detective hats: Currently, Apple Pay pretty much covers this territory. It uses tokenization, protecting transactions through the app. What about those not blessed with this luxury, though? They'll possibly reap the benefits through Safari, thanks to Apple's plans.
Interesting tidbit: the Safari AutoFill will supposedly comply with these nifty virtual cards, obscuring your card details throughout shopping sprees, even if it's been saved.
9to5Mac couldn't pinpoint if this feature will only work with selected banks and cards. We'll just have to wait and see if Apple follows Google's path to support Visa, American Express, and Capital One, with Mastercard joining the scene later.
There are already a host of companies offering this fraud-foiling service – like Stripe, for instance. Yet for those who'd rather avoid third-party troublemakers, Apple's Safari feature might just be the answer they're looking for.
Just a heads up: Apple's iOS 16 beta is currently an exclusive treat for developers. We can probably expect the public beta to roll out some time this month.
Enrichment Data Snippet:Although Apple Pay's not directly implementing virtual cards in Safari, its integration lets users make online payments securely, without revealing sensitive information. Buddy apps and websites incorporating Apple Pay API make this possible through Touch ID or Face ID authentication. For extra security, services like Privacy.com offer virtual cards, masking the user's financial data. Apple's major card partners include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, alongside all major U.S. banks. However, Apple won't directly support third-party virtual card providers like Privacy.com; this functionality would still come from their services.
Tech companies continue to shape the future of online shopping, with Apple joining the fray by potentially introducing virtual card support within Safari. This could provide an additional layer of security for users, as technology like tokenization protects transactions. Mastercard might also benefit from this development, as Apple's plans could potentially support a wide range of cards. Safari's AutoFill feature might also be adjusted to work with these virtual cards, providing an added level of confidentiality.
