UK Regulator Seeks Wider iPhone Contactless Access for Rival Wallets

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority opened a consultation Oct. 20 on proposals to expand rival developers’ access to the iPhone’s contactless technology, which could support payment and digital wallet apps. Contactless payments made with physical cards or mobile devices accounted for 39% of all U.K. payments in 2025.

The proposal would require Apple to support both secure element, which stores information on the device, and host-based card emulation, which stores it off the device. Apple currently offers only secure-element access in the U.K.

The CMA expects access fees to be substantially lower under the proposed rules, but would not set a fixed price. Broader access could also support digital IDs, travel passes and digital keys.

The consultation follows the CMA’s October 2025 designation of Apple’s mobile platform as having strategic market status. Responses are due Nov. 17, after which the regulator will make a final decision.