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.4.8 App Store rating 245K+ businesses worldwideWhen you still need a reader
4.8 App Store rating 245K+ businesses worldwideWhen 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.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 the menu (profile icon, top left) and tap Enable Tap to Pay on iPhone. Then take a payment and have the customer tap.
“Love that you can send receipts from the app immediately at purchase. I own a small printing business. App does everything it says it will.”
Your iPhone or a card reader?
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
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.
On Android?
Android phones with NFC do the same thing. Tap to Pay on Android takes contactless cards and wallets with no reader attached.FAQ
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 (15¢ minimum) on top of Stripe's own processing rate. There is no hardware to buy when you use Tap to Pay.
Is there a free credit card reader?
The closest thing is the phone you already own. Tap to Pay uses the NFC chip in an iPhone XS or later, so there is no reader to buy. Payment for Stripe is free to download with no monthly fee. You pay Stripe's processing rate plus 1.2% per sale (15¢ minimum).
Can I get a free card swiper for my small business?
Card readers cost money. The Stripe Reader M2 is $59 and takes chip, swipe and contactless. If your customers tap to pay, skip the swiper: Tap to Pay on iPhone reads contactless cards and digital wallets with no hardware.
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?
In the US, Stripe charges 2.7% + 5¢ per in-person transaction, plus 10¢ per Tap to Pay authorization. Payment for Stripe adds 1.2% per sale (15¢ minimum). No monthly fees, no contracts, no monthly 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.
Works with your Stripe account