Apple Pay Launched in Oman

The Apple Pay service has officially launched in the Sultanate of Oman, allowing all users to add their debit or credit cards to their digital wallet.

The banks supporting Apple Pay in Oman include Bank Muscat, Sohar International, Sohar Islamic, Bank Dhofar, NBO, Dhofar Islamic, and Al Muzn. Additionally, telecom provider Vodafone announced that its services can also be paid for using Apple Pay.

Currently, banks have yet to release formal statements about the availability of Apple Pay, and some users may need to wait for card verification.

Apple Pay Features:

Apple has highlighted that this service offers a faster and more secure way to make payments, whether at stores, on websites, or in apps. There’s no need to create an account or enter card details, and it works seamlessly on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Card numbers are neither shared with merchants nor stored on Apple’s servers or the device.

To get started, users need to add a credit or debit card to the Wallet app. Once the card is verified by their bank, they can start using the service.

When checking out with Apple Pay on most websites and apps, users don’t need to enter billing, shipping, or contact information. Instead, they can authenticate using Touch ID or Face ID.

How to Use:

• On iPhone X and newer devices: Double-click the side button, authenticate with Face ID, and hold the phone near the contactless reader.

Expert Opinion:

According to Mohamed Saif al Manji of TechOneFive, “Digital payments in Oman have been growing, and the launch of Apple Pay will significantly boost this trend, in line with Oman Vision 2040. This step contributes towards establishing a cashless society in Oman.”

Samsung Pay Services:

Earlier in April, banks in Oman had also launched the Samsung Pay service, enabling customers to make digital payments through the Samsung Pay app.

source: Apple Pay Launched in Oman – Oman Observer