Norway’s Vipps challenges Apple Pay on iOS
For the first time, iPhone users have a choice beyond Apple Pay for tap-to-pay transactions. Norway’s Vipps app steps into the spotlight, marking a significant shift in Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple Pay has faced its first real competition on iPhones, thanks to Norway’s mobile payment app, Vipps. Leveraging new EU regulations, Vipps now allows iPhone users to make tap-to-pay transactions, shop online, and even set it as their default payment app. This is a significant milestone as Apple, under pressure from EU regulators, has opened its NFC chip to third-party developers with the release of iOS 18.1.
For a decade, Apple Pay was the exclusive method for tap-to-pay functionality on iPhones. That changed after EU rulings deemed Apple’s practices anti-competitive, prompting the company to commit to a more open ecosystem. In addition to enabling NFC access, Apple has also introduced RCS messaging support and expanded app deletion options in response to regulatory pressure.
Vipps’ debut as Apple Pay’s first competitor signals a shift toward a more diverse iPhone experience. While this development could usher in innovative payment solutions, it also raises concerns about potential fragmentation in mobile payment systems. For now, Norway is leading the charge in this new era of digital payments.
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