We all love to treat ourselves to a McDonald’s every once in a while. Who can deny the taste of hot salty fries, crunchy chicken nuggets, and ice-cold Coca Cola?
In this day in age, cashless transactions are becoming more prevalent. While many still use credit cards as a preferred method of payment, contactless payment such as Apple Pay, is taking the world by storm.
So, does McDonald’s take Apple Pay? Read on to find out.
Do McDonald’s Restaurants Take Apple Pay?
McDonald’s accepts Apple Pay as a valid method of payment in all restaurants located in the USA and most others located around the world. Apple Pay can be used in-store, at drive-thrus, and on the McDonald’s app.
But how do you complete a transaction in McDonald’s using Apple Pay? Let’s find out.
How To Use Apple Pay At McDonalds
The process works in the same way as it would with any other purchase using Apple Pay. McDonald’s was one of the first fast food restaurants to accept payment through Apple Pay.
The contactless payment method is a convenient way of paying in fast paced businesses such as McDonald’s.
Using Apple Pay to complete a transaction in McDonald’s could not be easier, and here’s how to do it.
Using The Apple Pay App
In order to use Apple Pay, you must have a compatible device such as an iPhone or an Apple Watch.
You will then need to add a valid card to your Apple Pay Wallet such as a debit or credit card. This can be done by tapping the ‘+’ symbol situated at the top right of the app. Once your card details have been stored, you are ready to use Apple Pay.
Open up the Apple Pay app. An image of your chosen debit or credit card should appear on the screen. Face the screen of your phone a couple of inches away from the card reader.
The card reader will take payment from your card automatically and the transaction and you should hear a ‘pinging’ sound. This indicates the transaction has been processed.
Can Apple Pay be used at a McDonald’s Drive Thru?
Yes! Using Apple Pay at a Drive-Thru is much easier than paying with cash. Just hold your iPhone or Apple watch up to the card reader and the transaction is processed within seconds.
Don’t worry about being unable to reach the card reader, as it is attached to a long handle that is long enough to reach your car window.
Using Apple Pay On The McDonald’s App
The McDonald’s app has a section named ‘Mobile Order and Pay’. This can be used to pay for orders using Apple Pay.
Once again, Apple Pay can only be used to purchase items if you have an iOS device, and a valid debit or credit card is linked to your Apple Pay wallet.
Can I Use My Apple Watch To Pay For A McDonald’s?
As stated above, McDonald’s is able to take payment from any iOS device with the Apple Pay app. Therefore, your Apple Watch is a perfectly acceptable form of payment and can be used in-store and at a drive-thru.
Using Apple Pay to pay for products using your Apple Watch works in exactly the same way as it would on an iPhone. Once your card details are shown on the screen, simply hold your Apple Watch up to the card reader and wait until you hear a ‘pinging’ sound.
Using Apple Pay at McDonald’s: Is It Safe?
Using Apple Pay at McDonald’s is safe to use. If anything, it is deemed safer than most other payment methods. The reasoning behind this is that your card details are not shared and are encrypted when stored on your iOS device.
It is worth noting, however, that no payment method can ever be 100% safe. But don’t let this stop you from purchasing your favorite McDonald’s meal!
Paying With Apple Pay At McDonald’s: Fees
Apple Pay is free to use to purchase items from McDonald’s and there are no hidden fees. The only instance in which you would be charged a fee is if there are not enough funds to cover your transaction. This may result in your bank charging you a fee for entering into your overdraft.
Limits On Using Apple Pay At McDonald’s
There are no limits as to how many items you can purchase using the Apple Pay app at McDonald’s. The ‘limit’ in question lies with the amount of funds that are currently sitting in your bank account.
Can I Split My McDonald’s Payment Between Apple Pay and Another Method Of Payment?
This depends on what service you use to pay for your order. If paying in-store, you will need to complete your transaction with a McDonald’s employee. The self-service checkouts will fail to understand a split payment.
Similarly, you may be able to split payment with two different methods at a drive-thru. However, this is up to the discretion of the restaurant in that specific location.
Splitting payment can be complicated and you will find that it is better to complete a transaction using one form of payment.
What If My Apple Pay Does Not Work?
If you are having problems with your Apple Pay app and the transaction is failing to complete, you will need to resort to another method of payment.
McDonald’s restaurants cannot be held responsible if your Apple Pay app fails to complete a transaction. The only instance in which they will be held responsible is if they are having problems with the card readers.
Conclusion
McDonald’s takes Apple Pay as a valid method of payment across all stores in the USA and most other stores across the world.
Payment using Apple Pay can be made using a compatible iOS device such as an iPhone or an Apple Watch.
Feel free to use Apple Pay in-store, at a drive-thru, or when ordering through the McDonald’s app. Treating yourself to a McDonald’s has been made easier than ever with Apple Pay!
