Press Release

Octopus Now on iPhone and Apple Watch
Apple Pay with Octopus is the New Definition of Mobile Payment

(Hong Kong – 2 June, 2020) – Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) today announced the launch of Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch so customers can enjoy easy and convenient contactless payments at all Octopus acceptance points. With Express Mode for Apple Pay, customers only need to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to take public transportation – and they’re good to go. Customers can also use Apple Pay with Octopus to pay at 35,000 retail outlets like supermarkets and convenience stores. There's no need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, no extra taps, and no extra steps. Transaction and balance details are instantly displayed on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Customers can set up Octopus in the Wallet app or Octopus App on iPhone with just a few taps and start using it right away. It's also easy to reload Octopus on-the-go using Apple Pay on iPhone, so customers can avoid queuing and physically using a top-up machine. The maximum stored value of Octopus on Apple Pay is HK$3,000, which enables customers to make a wide range of purchases at retail, restaurants and convenience stores. There are no service fees to set up, use or top up Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch.

“We are excited to announce the much-anticipated Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Mr. Sunny Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of OCL. “Given the popularity of Apple devices and Octopus’ penetration in Hong Kong, OCL is keen to expand our service offering to an even wider audience through this new platform, and to help fast-track the adoption of mobile payments in this city. As Hong Kong's pioneer electronic-payment service provider, bringing Octopus to iPhone and Apple Watch allows us to further our mission of making people's everyday life easier through innovative mobile payment solutions leveraging contactless technology.”

It's easy to create a new Octopus or transfer an existing physical Octopus to iPhone, including its remaining value, deposit, and most embedded services such as Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS) without having to re-apply.

Customers can top up their Octopus and provide the initial stored value and deposit using Apple Pay on iPhone with a Hong Kong-issued credit, debit or prepaid card of Mastercard, UnionPay and Visa, where applicable. They can also use O! ePay and the Faster Payment System (FPS) via Octopus App. As with all Octopus, customers can choose to reload manually or by Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS).

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. Apple doesn’t know where you’ve travelled, what you’ve bought, where you’ve bought it, or how much you’ve paid in the transactions.

Mr. Cheung added, “Octopus on Apple Pay takes Hong Kong a step closer to a cashless payment society. The expansion of our Smart Octopus coverage to iPhone and Apple Watch is a testament to our unwavering commitment to bringing the best payment technologies to our customers.”

Octopus is the first and most extensively used contactless payment system in Hong Kong, covering a broad spectrum of transit and retail payment transactions. Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch promise a unique user experience to customers who can now enjoy a new level in speedy, effortless and smart mobile payments.

Octopus is available to customers in Hong Kong with iPhone 8 and Apple Watch Series 3 or later. Customers must update to iOS 13.5 and watchOS 6.2.5 to add Octopus to Apple Pay. To add Octopus to iPhone, open Wallet and tap +; customers can then add Octopus to Apple Watch by opening the Watch app on iPhone and tapping Wallet & Apple Pay.

 

To learn more about Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch and Apple Pay, visit http://www.apple.com/hk/en/apple-pay/octopus/ and http://www.octopus.com.hk/applepay/en

 

Photo Caption

(From Left to Right) Ms Rita Li, Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Sunny Cheung, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Sammy Kam, Technical Director of Octopus Cards Limited announce that Octopus on Apple Pay is now available in Hong Kong.

Mr Sunny Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Cards Limited, takes the lead in using Octopus on iPhone for retail shopping.

Mr Sunny Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Cards Limited, takes the lead in using Octopus on Apple Watch for an MTR ride.

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