Apple would have to give UK businesses more ways to use the iPhone’s contactless technology under proposals the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) put out for consultation today. The regulator expects its proposed pricing principles to bring substantially lower access charges, potentially making competing wallets and other contactless services commercially viable. Responses are due by Tuesday, November 17, 2026, with a final decision to follow once the regulator has assessed them.
The proposals would require Apple to offer access using the principal international standards for contactless technology, giving businesses a choice of technical approach. The CMA would establish principles governing access charges and conditions rather than prescribe prices itself. It expects those principles to cut charges substantially from Apple’s existing fees while providing fair compensation for access.
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The regulator says no business has introduced a wallet-type rival to Apple’s in the UK, whereas several have entered the EU market since Apple agreed to open payment access there. Vipps introduced an alternative payment app six months after that agreement, with subsequent entrants including PayPal and Klarna. The CMA says access to both technical standards could let UK businesses introduce payment services they already provide in the EU.
Businesses have told the CMA that Apple’s existing arrangements for near field communication, or NFC, may be commercially unworkable because of fees and other conditions. They also raised concerns that differing technical approaches between platforms and jurisdictions complicate expansion and competition. Evidence reviewed by the regulator suggests neither of the two standards presents inherent security concerns.
Contactless transactions account for 39% of payments, compared with 3% a decade earlier, according to the CMA. Over 60% of adults use digital wallets, and Apple Wallet leads in UK popularity. Beyond payment apps, the regulator says improved access could support digital IDs, travel passes and keys for cars or buildings, as well as payments made directly between bank accounts.
The proposals follow February’s commitments by Apple and Google to make app reviews fairer and more transparent after a CMA investigation. Those commitments also gave developers a route to request access to iOS capabilities for competing services, including wallets and translation tools. At that stage, the regulator identified greater wallet choice and possible digital ID support as areas for further action.
