iPhone Users in South Korea Can Now Tap to Ride Public Transit with Apple Pay!

iPhone users in South Korea can now use their devices to pay fares on public transportation, as Apple Pay has begun supporting Tmoney’s prepaid transit card feature as of Tuesday.

With this new feature, users can simply add a Tmoney card to the transit cards section of Apple Wallet, enabling them to tap and pay with their iPhone or Apple Watch when riding buses and subways.

This change marks a significant milestone for iPhone users, who previously could not make contactless payments without the help of a separate device or physical credit card.

Currently, the system only supports prepaid Tmoney cards; other options, including postpaid cards, pre-loaded commuter passes, and government-subsidized cards such as the Climate Card or K-Pass, are not yet compatible.

Users can reload their balance using a credit card through the Tmoney app or Apple Wallet, although this feature is currently available only to Hyundai Card holders, the sole card issuer in Korea supporting Apple Pay. In a global first, an automatic top-up feature has been introduced that replenishes the balance when it falls below a preset amount.

To enable contactless payments without unlocking their device, users must activate “Express Mode.” This feature is available on iPhones running iOS 17.2 or later—which is standard on the iPhone XS, XR, and newer models—and on Apple Watches with watchOS 10.2 or later, including the Apple Watch Series 6, SE (2nd generation), and newer models.

Tmoney has underscored the service’s compliance with Apple’s robust security measures. “Apple Pay Tmoney leverages the strong security and privacy features built into the iPhone and Apple Watch,” the company stated, assuring that transit card information is neither stored on Apple’s servers nor shared with the company.

“South Korea is renowned for having one of the world’s most advanced public transportation systems. Now, our users can access it nationwide through simple, secure payments,” commented Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

The integration of public transit payments is expected to strengthen Apple Pay’s position in Korea. Since its launch in March 2023 through an exclusive partnership with Hyundai Card, the service has experienced slow adoption due to limited acceptance at retail locations and comparatively high commission fees.