Short answer: Find the message you're seeing below. Most are quick fixes on your iPhone. If the phone or account can't use Tap to Pay, use a card reader.
Before anything else, check the basics
- You need an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or later. iPads can't use Tap to Pay on iPhone.
- You're not on a beta version of iOS.
- Your Stripe account is in a country where Stripe offers Tap to Pay on iPhone. It's based on your Stripe account's country, not where you are. It's live in 22 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and much of Europe, with more in preview. See Stripe's full list.
- Location access is on for Payment for Stripe.
Tap to Pay on iPhone is not supported for this device
Why: the app asked the phone if it can run Tap to Pay and the answer was no. The usual reasons are an iPad, an iPhone older than the XS, or an iOS version that's too old.
Fix: update iOS in iPhone Settings > General > Software Update. If you're on an iPad or an older iPhone, use a card reader, or enter card details manually.
Tap to Pay didn't start. Try again.
Why: you tapped Enable Tap to Pay on iPhone and the app waited but never found Tap to Pay on the phone.
Fix: tap Try Again. If it fails again, check you're online, close and reopen the app, and restart the iPhone.
"Setting up Tap to Pay. The first time can take a minute."
This isn't an error. The first time you turn on Tap to Pay, Apple's terms and setup can take a minute or more, and the spinner keeps going until they finish. Give it a couple of minutes on a good connection. If it's still spinning after that, close and reopen the app and turn on Tap to Pay again.
Tap to Pay could not start. Try the following:
1. Make sure you're signed into your Apple ID
2. Close and reopen the app
3. Restart your device if the issue persists
Why: Apple couldn't prepare Tap to Pay on this iPhone. The message points to your Apple ID first.
Fix: do the three steps in order. Then tap Enable Tap to Pay on iPhone again.
You need to accept the Tap to Pay terms and conditions before you can use this feature. Close and reopen the app to be prompted again.
Why: Apple requires you to accept its Tap to Pay terms once, and that hasn't happened yet on this iPhone.
Fix: close and reopen the app, then accept the terms when Apple shows them.
The Tap to Pay terms weren't accepted. Tap "Enable Tap to Pay on iPhone" again to see them.
Why: the terms screen was closed before you accepted.
Fix: tap Enable Tap to Pay on iPhone again and accept the terms.
Tap to Pay needs your iPhone signed in to iCloud. Apple attaches its Tap to Pay terms to your Apple Account.
1. Open iPhone Settings
2. Tap "Sign in to your iPhone" at the top
3. Come back and turn on Tap to Pay again
Why: Apple attaches its Tap to Pay terms to your Apple Account, so the iPhone has to be signed in.
Fix:
- Open iPhone Settings.
- Tap Sign in to your iPhone at the top.
- Come back to the app and turn on Tap to Pay again.
Tap to Pay needs a passcode set on this iPhone.
Open iPhone Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode, turn the passcode on, then turn on Tap to Pay again.
Why: Tap to Pay won't run on a phone with no passcode.
Fix: open iPhone Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode, and turn the passcode on. Then turn on Tap to Pay again.
Tap to Pay setup was interrupted. Try again.
Why: something cut the setup short before it finished.
Fix: try again and stay in the app until it finishes.
Tap to Pay can't be used during a phone call. End the call, then try again.
Fix: end the call, then try again.
Tap to Pay turned off on this iPhone. You can turn it back on in the app settings.
Why: Tap to Pay was on, but the app couldn't bring it back when you reopened it. It can happen after an iOS update, a restart, or a lost connection.
Fix: open the app's settings and turn on Tap to Pay again. If it keeps turning off, check you're online and the iPhone is signed in to your Apple Account.
Unable to reconnect to the reader. Check that the reader is powered on and nearby, then try again from settings.
Why: this message is written for card readers. You can still see it on an iPhone that uses Tap to Pay, mostly on older versions of the app. It means the connection dropped and the app couldn't restore it.
Fix: update Payment for Stripe from the App Store. Then open the app's settings and turn on Tap to Pay (or reconnect your reader) again. Restart the iPhone if it still fails.
Tap to Pay is reconnecting. Charge again in a moment.
Fix: wait a few seconds for Tap to Pay reconnected, then run the sale again.
Tap to Pay is not available on this device. Contact Apple Support for more information.
Why: Apple has turned Tap to Pay off for this iPhone.
Fix: contact Apple Support. In the meantime, use a card reader or enter card details manually.
Tap to Pay is not available for your account. Please contact support for assistance.
Your Tap to Pay access has been deactivated. Please contact support to reactivate.
Why: Tap to Pay is blocked for your Stripe account, or access that was on has been switched off.
Fix: contact us (below) and we'll look into it with Stripe.
Trouble adding a location
If you hit a problem adding your business location, add it manually in your Stripe Dashboard at dashboard.stripe.com/terminal/locations (use your business address).
Location access is needed
If the app says it needs your location:
Your device's location is needed to connect a card reader and accept payments. Check that:
1. Location access is allowed for this app in Settings ("While Using the App", not "Allow Once")
2. Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is off
3. If both look right, restart your device to refresh its location
To fix it, open iPhone Settings, find Payment for Stripe, and set Location to While Using the App (not Allow Once). Check Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is off.
Good to know
- Tap to Pay needs an internet connection. It doesn't take offline payments.
- Can't get Tap to Pay working? You can still take every payment. Enter card details manually, or connect a Stripe card reader.
Still stuck? Contact us from the app: Menu → Help, then tap the email icon in the top corner.