For now, the service will be available only to randomly
selected users who will get early access to a prerelease version of Apple Pay
Later. Apple plans to offer the feature to all eligible users "in the
coming months."
"Apple Pay Later was designed with our users’ financial
health in mind, so it has no fees and no interest, and can be used and managed
within Wallet, making it easier for consumers to make informed and responsible
borrowing decisions," Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay
and Apple Wallet, said in a statement.
How do I use Apple Pay Later?
Apple Pay users will be able to apply for Apple Pay Later
loans of $50 to $1,000, which can be used for online and in-app purchases on
their iPhone or iPad.
To get started, users can apply for a loan within the Wallet app on iOS. They will then be prompted to enter the amount they want to borrow and agree to the Apple Pay Later terms.
A 'soft' credit check will be done as part of the
application process, Apple said, and once approved, the user will see the Pay
Later option when they select Apple Pay at checkout. Users can track and manage
Apple Pay Later loans in Wallet, and they will receive notifications via the
app and email before payments are due.
Apple Pay Later is enabled through the Mastercard
Installments program, and payments have no interest and no fees, the tech giant
said.
Buy now, pay later programs
Buy now, pay later programs such as Klarna, Afterpay and
Affirm have grown in popularity in recent years. The services allow consumers
to make purchases and pay them over time after an initial payment.
Apple announced its Pay Later service last year, promising
"a seamless and secure way to split the cost of an Apple Pay
purchase."