When Apple announced iOS 11, it spent a lot of time explaining Apple Pay Cash, a new peer-to-peer service that allowed friends to exchange money over iMessage.
In September, the software arrived without the feature enabled, but it appears we’ll be exchanging cash with each other sooner rather than later.
Apple Pay Cash has shown up the second public and developer betas for iOS 11.2 and watchOS 4.2. Those using the beta should see it as one of the options in the iMessage app drawer (via 9to5Mac).
Related: iPhone 8 review
Users can send or request money using the feature, which leverages existing payment methods added to Apple Pay.
Once the feature is enabled, iPhone and Apple Watch users will be issued with a virtual debit card which can be used to fund any purchases made during Apple Pay.
Users will be able to add money to the card or transfer it out to their bank accounts. You’ll need at least $10 loaded into the card to use it.
Not a new solution
Apple’s solution is by no means new. There are always a large number of apps on the market that help smartphone users exchange money between contacts.
Venmo, Square Cash and PayPal all have options to instantly send cash to others directly.
Unfortunately, Apple Pay Cash it’s only available to beta customers in the United States right now, who’ll also need to have two-factor authentication enabled on their Apple ID.
We’ll let you know when iOS 11.2 and watchOS 4.2 are official and whenever Apple Pay Cash becomes available outside the US.
Which peer-to-peer money app is your favorite? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
