Apple opens up NFC transactions to developers. There will be 'associated fees'

Apple has announced that it will open up its NFC (near field communication) capabilities to third-party developers, a move prompted by regulatory pressures, particularly from the European Commission. This change allows developers to access the iPhone's Secure Element for mobile payments, which had previously been exclusive to Apple Pay. The new NFC and Secure Element APIs will be available in select countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S., with the iOS 18.1 update. While developers can create competitive Wallet products and apps for various in-app contactless transactions, they must enter a commercial agreement with Apple and pay associated fees, indicating that this service is not free. This decision is seen as a proactive measure by Apple to avoid potential antitrust fines, which could have reached up to $40 billion. The expanded access is expected to foster innovation among developers, enabling them to enhance existing applications and create new ones that utilize the NFC technology for various purposes, including payments, transit, and identification.

- Apple opens NFC access to third-party developers due to regulatory pressure.

- The new APIs will be available in several countries with the iOS 18.1 update.

- Developers must enter a commercial agreement and pay fees to access the NFC capabilities.

- The move aims to prevent antitrust fines and promote competition in mobile payments.

- Expanded NFC access is expected to drive innovation in app development.