Indonesia’s QRIS Tap Expansion Stalls as Apple Remains Resistant to NFC Access

Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), is pushing for greater access to Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on iPhones to enable the country’s QRIS Tap contactless payment system for Apple users. While QRIS Tap has gained traction among Android devices, iPhone compatibility remains a hurdle due to Apple’s restrictions on third-party NFC access, limiting it to Apple Pay.

QRIS Tap: A Growing Payment System

Launched in March 2025, QRIS Tap is an evolution of the original QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) system, which required users to scan QR codes to complete transactions. QRIS Tap allows for faster and more convenient payments by simply tapping a phone against a payment terminal using NFC technology. As of February 23, 2026, the system has processed over 475,000 transactions, representing a monthly growth rate of 7.9 percent. The total transaction value has reached approximately 4.6 billion Indonesian Rupiah, a 6.4 percent increase month-over-month .

The iPhone Obstacle

Despite the growth of QRIS Tap, iPhone users are currently unable to utilize the feature. BI Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta explained that Apple has not yet opened its NFC feature to third-party applications, reserving it exclusively for Apple Pay . “iPhone QRIS users are asked to be patient as Apple has not yet opened its NFC feature. It only opens for Apple Pay,” Hendarta stated .

BI’s Efforts to Negotiate with Apple

BI is actively communicating with both Apple Indonesia and Apple headquarters to explore the possibility of opening NFC access for QRIS Tap. Apple representatives have indicated they are examining the feature and considering opening NFC access, similar to what has been done in the European Union . Though, there is currently no confirmed timeline for when QRIS Tap will be available on iPhones.

QRIS User Base Surpasses 60 Million

Despite the iPhone limitation, the overall QRIS user base in Indonesia has exceeded 60 million, reaching BI’s 2026 target ahead of schedule . This milestone reflects BI’s broader vision to build an integrated and digitally driven national payment system. QRIS Tap is gaining popularity in sectors like transportation, hotels, and restaurants.

Looking Ahead

The expansion of QRIS Tap to the iPhone ecosystem remains contingent on Apple’s policy regarding NFC access. BI continues to coordinate with stakeholders to enhance the interoperability of Indonesia’s national digital payment system and encourage broader device support for QRIS Tap.