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iPhone card reader

Your iPhone is the card reader

You do not need to buy a card reader for your iPhone. Tap to Pay turns the phone in your pocket into a contactless terminal. Connect your existing Stripe account and take the first payment in 60 seconds.

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When you still need a reader

Do you need a card reader for iPhone?

No. Any iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 takes contactless cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay on its own through Tap to Pay. No dongle, no Bluetooth pairing, nothing to buy. You only need a separate reader for chip-insert or magstripe cards.

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How to accept credit card payments on your iPhone

Three steps to take card payments on your phone. No code, no hardware order.

1

Download Payment for Stripe

Free on the App Store. It runs on the iPhone you already own.

2

Connect your Stripe account

Sign in through Stripe's OAuth flow. Under 30 seconds. Payouts, refunds, and disputes stay in your own Stripe account.

3

Turn on the built-in reader

Open Settings, tap Card Reader, and enable Built-in Contactless Reader. Then take a payment and have the customer tap.

When the phone is enough, and when it is not

Tap to Pay covers most in-person sales. A Stripe Terminal reader covers the rest. Order hardware from your Stripe Dashboard at Stripe's price.

Your iPhone

Tap to Pay. No hardware.

  • Contactless cards
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
  • No hardware cost
  • Works anywhere you take your phone

A Stripe reader

From $59, ordered from Stripe.

  • Chip insert and magstripe swipe
  • Offline payments
  • Customer-facing screen and tipping
  • Countertop and cellular options
Compare Stripe card readers

What you need

iPhone XS or later

iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and newer.

iOS 18 or later

The Payment app requires iOS 18. Stripe also asks that you stay on a recent iOS release.

A Stripe account

Use the one you already have. No new merchant application.

Available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, and more.

On Android?

Android phones with NFC do the same thing. Tap to Pay on Android takes contactless cards and wallets with no reader attached.

Card reader for Android

Card reader for iPhone questions

Can I use my iPhone as a card reader?
Yes. Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the NFC chip already in the phone, so an iPhone XS or later reads contactless cards and digital wallets with nothing attached. Payment for Stripe connects it to your Stripe account.
Is there a free card reader app for iPhone?
Payment for Stripe is free to download and has no monthly fee. You pay 1.2% per sale on top of Stripe's own processing rate. There is no hardware to buy when you use Tap to Pay.
Which iPhones work as a card reader?
iPhone XS and later, which covers the XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series. The Payment app requires iOS 18 or later. iPad does not work, because it lacks the required NFC hardware.
Do I need a card reader to accept chip cards?
Yes. Tap to Pay handles contactless taps only. For chip-insert or magstripe cards you need a Stripe Terminal reader such as the Stripe Reader M2, ordered from your Stripe Dashboard.
What does it cost to take card payments on iPhone?
Stripe charges 2.7% + 5¢ per in-person transaction, plus 10¢ per Tap to Pay authorization. Payment for Stripe adds 1.2% per sale. No monthly fees, no contracts, no minimums.
Do I need an internet connection?
Yes. Tap to Pay needs WiFi or cellular data to authorize a payment. It cannot store transactions offline. Bluetooth readers such as the Stripe Reader M2 do support offline payments.
Do you need a Stripe account to take card payments on your phone?
Yes. Payment for Stripe runs on a Stripe account rather than replacing it, so payouts, refunds, and disputes stay in your own account. Creating one is free and generally takes a few minutes, and you can connect it to the app straight afterwards.

From the blog: Tap to Pay on iPhone, Which Stripe card reader should you buy?

Accept payments
in 60 seconds

Download the app, connect your Stripe account, and you're ready to accept your first payment. No hardware, no setup fees, no monthly costs.

Download for iOSDownload for Android
No monthly feesNo hardware requiredWorks with your Stripe account