Apple Pay is expected to arrive in the Philippines in 2026, while Google Pay has already launched in the country. The industry hopes for an early rollout next year, according to Lito Villanueva, Founding Chairman of the FinTech Alliance Philippines.
Both Google Pay and Apple Pay have received approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to operate as technology service providers. This means they can enable transactions without directly handling funds.
Google Pay officially launched on November 18 with nine initial partners: China Bank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, GCash, UnionBank, Zed, and Wise. The service lets users pay by tapping NFC-enabled Android devices, with more banks expected to join before the year ends.
The arrival of these wallets supports the Philippines’ move toward a cash-lite economy. BSP data shows that digital payments made up 57.4% of retail transactions in 2024, exceeding government targets, while 97.2% of government payments are now processed electronically.
Visa Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro said Google Pay could also help reduce payment delays for travelers and foreign tourists, making transactions faster and more convenient.
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