Apple has announced that users in China can now use that country’s popular UnionPay bank network to make purchases in Apple’s App Store. The company struck a deal with China UnionPay that will allow users to connect their Apple ID to one of UnionPay’s debit or credit cards for much faster purchases from there phones.
Apple customers in China now able to link their Apple ID with debit or credit cards from UnionPay which is country’s most popular payment card with a network of 4.5 billion cards. Prior to this, Apple’s Chinese customers had to transfer money into their App Store accounts first before buying apps. With this deal, they will be charged directly each time they buy something.
“The ability to buy apps and make purchases using UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from our customers in China. China is already our second largest market for app downloads, and now we’re providing users with an incredibly convenient way to purchase their favorite apps with just one-tap.”
said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services.
Apple claims that China is company’s second largest App Store market. The UnionPay partnership could potentially open the door for Apple Pay in China.