The UK Competition and Markets Authority announced proposals on October 20, 2026, aimed at opening access to Near Field Communication technology on Apple iPhones, seeking to allow financial technology companies and other businesses to offer competing contactless services.
According to the regulator, Apple’s existing rules, fees, and access terms for its mobile contactless technology present technical and financial barriers that prevent UK businesses from launching competing products. The CMA’s consultation outlines requirements that would force Apple to grant third-party developers access through major international contactless standards, enabling firms to build independent digital wallets and payment products.
Contactless transactions have expanded rapidly in the UK, growing from 3% of all payments a decade ago to 39% today. Despite the UK fintech sector generating approximately £214 billion in turnover and supporting over 360,000 jobs, no independent firm has launched a competing mobile wallet on the iPhone in the UK under Apple’s current access framework.
The regulator noted a contrast with the European Union, where alternative services emerged shortly after Apple opened its NFC technology to third parties. Within six months of Apple granting NFC payment access in the EU, alternative payment applications were launched by providers including Vipps, PayPal, Klarna, Curve, and BBVA.
UK businesses reported to the CMA that Apple’s current access arrangements are commercially unviable due to high fees and onerous operational requirements. Furthermore, conflicting technical standards across different platforms and jurisdictions have made scaling competing payment services difficult.
The CMA’s proposals focus on two core operational areas: technical access and commercial viability. The regulator stated that its draft rules would require Apple to support the primary international standards used in contactless technology, which evidence indicates do not present inherent security risks. By opening technical access across these standards, the CMA aims to allow UK companies to introduce services similar to those already available in the EU.
While addressing commercial viability, the regulator clarified that it is not proposing to directly set the specific prices or commercial terms for accessing iPhone contactless functionality. Instead, the framework seeks to ensure that terms established by Apple permit sustainable business models for independent developers.
Sources
– UK Government — Competition and Markets Authority: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-outlines-proposals-to-unlock-contactless-technology-on-apple-iphone
Source: www.gov.uk
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