Apple Pay

Apple Pay is expected to arrive in the Philippines in 2026, while Google Pay has already launched in the country. Both Google Pay and Apple Pay have received approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to operate as technology service providers. 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. 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. Apple Pay and Google Pay are now clear to roll out in the Philippines without securing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) registration. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan clarified that the two platforms are not considered operators of payment systems (OPS) since they will not hold funds for Filipino users. Read more in our articles including "Apple Pay may launch to the Philippines next year" and "Apple Pay, Google Pay can launch in PH without BSP registration".