Apple Pay PH launch seen in Q3 2026

Mobile wallet provider Apple Pay is now expected to launch operations in the Philippines by the third quarter of the year, giving local banks more time to integrate with the platform.

According to Fintech Alliance PH founding chairman Lito Villanueva, banks still need to meet several technical requirements, with the rollout aimed at onboarding all key players.

“They need to ensure that key players would be on board or would be ready… As regards having to ensure that the key players would have to be ready by the time that they launch, para hindi ‘yung phase one, phase two, dapat lahat (So it’s not like phase one, phase two, it should be all),” he said in an interview on Friday in Manila City.

“May mga tech requirements pa, kasi (There are still tech requirements, because) it has to be from the side of the bank. They need to comply, they need to be able to satisfy the requirements of Apple Pay,” he added.

Villanueva in November said Apple Pay is set to launch Philippine operations early this year, following the launch of its competitor Google Pay.

Google Pay launched in the Philippines on November 18, 2025, with several initial partner institutions — China Banking Corp., East West Banking Corp., GCash, GoTyme Bank Corp., Maya Bank Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Union Bank of the Philippines, Wise Philippines, and Zed Financial PH Inc.

The country’s biggest private banks — BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) — have yet to integrate with Google Pay.

“It is dependent on the bank as to the readiness. They command a high market share, pero siyempre (but of course) wallets naman, they are ready — Maya, GCash,” Villanueva said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor Mamerto Tangonan last August clarified that Google Pay and Apple Pay were deemed as technology service providers, and will not have to register as operators of payment systems (OPS).

The central bank in December 2023 said Google Pay and Apple Pay were exploring offering their services to the Philippine market, but were initially thought to need prior registration as OPS. —KG, GMA Integrated News