The payments landscape just got a little smarter — and a lot more convenient. CardFlight, Inc. and Worldpay®, a global leader in payment technology, have officially rolled out Tap to Pay on iPhone for all SwipeSimple® merchants, empowering small businesses to accept payments directly on their iPhones — no extra hardware, dongles, or terminals required.

This marks a major step toward frictionless, mobile-first commerce — especially for service businesses, pop-up retailers, and on-the-go professionals who value simplicity and flexibility in payments.

Tap to Pay on iPhone: A Simpler Way to Get Paid

If you’ve ever fumbled with a card reader or waited for a Bluetooth connection to pair before taking a payment, you’ll immediately see the appeal here. With Tap to Pay on iPhone, merchants simply open the SwipeSimple app, enter a transaction amount, and hand their iPhone to the customer. The customer then taps their contactless card or device (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) near the top of the iPhone — and that’s it. Within seconds, the transaction is securely processed using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology.

There’s no need for external readers, dongles, or bulky POS hardware. It’s a clean, fast, and flexible solution that turns the iPhone into a fully functional payment terminal — something that’s been in high demand among merchants looking to streamline their checkout process.

Built-In Apple Security and Privacy

Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone technology isn’t just convenient — it’s backed by Apple’s hallmark focus on security and privacy. The system uses the built-in security features of iPhone, ensuring that card numbers and transaction data are never stored on the device or Apple’s servers.

That means both merchants and customers stay protected, without sacrificing usability. It’s a win for small businesses that often lack the IT infrastructure of larger retailers but still want enterprise-grade security for every transaction.

“With Tap to Pay on iPhone and SwipeSimple, our merchants have access to flexible options enabling them to take payments wherever they do business, using a device they already have in their pocket,” said Cindy Turner, Chief Product Officer at Worldpay. “It’s a natural upgrade for service businesses, professional offices, local retail, and for growing teams that want speed and reliability.”

Immediate Access for SwipeSimple Merchants

The rollout is live today for Worldpay merchants using SwipeSimple, and getting started is as easy as opting in via the app. Once activated, Tap to Pay on iPhone allows merchants to accept contactless debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets — instantly transforming their iPhone into a mobile checkout terminal.

“SwipeSimple is built to make in-person payments easy, and Tap to Pay on iPhone complements our mission perfectly,” said Robert Newton, VP of Product at CardFlight. “Merchants can begin using it immediately after opting in and keep payments flowing with the iPhone they already carry.”

A Seamless Experience in Practice

Here’s what the checkout process looks like in real life:

1. Open the SwipeSimple app on your iPhone.
2. Enter the amount and tap “Charge.”
3. Present your iPhone to the customer.
4. The customer taps their card or phone near the top of your device.
5. When the checkmark appears, the transaction is complete.

That’s all. No terminals, no tangled cables, no syncing errors. Just secure, instant payments — wherever business happens.

SwipeSimple: Building Tools That Work in the Real World

SwipeSimple, developed by CardFlight, Inc., has long positioned itself as a practical payments platform designed for the everyday realities of small and medium-sized businesses. With over 125,000 merchants already using SwipeSimple, the app offers not just payment processing but also tools for CRM, invoicing, recurring billing, saved cards, payment links, and clear, easy-to-read reporting.

Whether a business operates in a field service environment, a professional office, or a boutique retail space, SwipeSimple aims to keep payments moving smoothly—from the front desk to the back office. This new Tap to Pay capability extends that same flexibility even further.

Why It Matters: The Broader Tap-to-Pay Trend

The launch isn’t happening in a vacuum. Tap-to-Pay technology has been rapidly expanding since Apple first introduced it in 2022, and companies like Stripe, Adyen, and Square have since integrated similar capabilities into their merchant platforms.

This trend reflects a wider shift toward software-based POS systems, where the smartphone — not a separate terminal — becomes the core of the payment experience.

For example, Square introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone for its sellers in 2023, targeting small merchants and creators. Stripe, on the other hand, brought the feature to enterprise clients like Shopify and Revolut. Now, with Worldpay and CardFlight’s integration, the technology reaches a broader audience of independent merchants and service providers who already rely on SwipeSimple for daily operations.

This also aligns with global payment trends showing a surge in contactless adoption. According to Visa’s 2024 Consumer Payment Study, over 70% of in-person payments in North America are now contactless — and small businesses are catching up fast. In markets like the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe, that figure already exceeds 90%. The ability to simply “tap and go” has become a customer expectation rather than a novelty.

Expert Take: More Than a Feature—It’s a Signal

This move by CardFlight and Worldpay isn’t just about catching up with Apple’s ecosystem—it’s a strategic response to evolving merchant expectations. Businesses today want mobility, minimalism, and integration, not more hardware or complexity.

By enabling Tap to Pay on iPhone, SwipeSimple positions itself squarely among the most forward-thinking payment platforms serving small merchants—standing alongside Stripe Terminal, Adyen’s mobile SDKs, and Square’s Tap to Pay integration.

What sets it apart is Worldpay’s scale and infrastructure, combined with CardFlight’s merchant-first design philosophy. The collaboration blends global reliability with the agility of a tech-driven startup—a rare combination in the payments industry.

Conclusion: Mobile-First Payments Are the Future—and It’s Already Here

The CardFlight–Worldpay Tap to Pay integration signals a clear direction for the industry: hardware-free, mobile-first payments are no longer optional—they’re inevitable.

While Stripe and Square have led the way for online-first businesses, SwipeSimple’s approach is more inclusive, designed for merchants who just need something that works—instantly, securely, and affordably.

As more consumers move toward contactless and mobile payments, and as small businesses seek leaner, tech-savvier solutions, this development feels less like an update — and more like the new baseline for how in-person commerce should work.