After an initial clue in June, the following month saw official confirmation from Apple that Octopus Apple Pay support will be part of iOS 13.

Some more details have now emerged thanks to some screenshots from the beta version…

Ata Distance reports that, as expected, the device requirements are identical to those for Apple Pay Suica in Japan.

  • For models purchased in Japan: iPhone 7/Apple Watch Series 2
  • For all other models: iPhone 8/iPhone X/Apple Watch Series 3 onwards

Octopus Apple Pay support allows you to add an existing plastic card to Apple Wallet, or create a new one. Transfers appear subject to one snag, however.

Multifunction uses all appear to be supported, but they won’t all transfer across automatically, so you’ll need to add them to the virtual card. Update: The source piece now says most will.

Multifunction support is good news, as Octopus cards are used for a lot more than just travel, as the company itself notes.

Wallet Recharge is currently limited to China UnionPay, but the site believes this limitation applies only during the beta period and is likely to be opened up to other banks when iOS goes live.

From a simple way to pay fares on public transport, we have extended our services into small-value payments in the retail sector, as well as many other applications, including access control for residential and commercial buildings and support for various school facilities […]

Over 1.9 million Octopus cards and products are currently linked with Automatic Add Value Service provided by 22 financial institutions, ensuring that they never run out of value. Octopus users can also add value with cash at thousands of locations all over town.

In addition, there are over 3.4 million registered Octopus cards and products under the widely adopted Octopus Rewards programme, allowing members to earn Reward$regardless of their payment means, and redeem them like cash at 8 participating merchants.

Express Transit support is also key.

Express Transit is currently available in Japan, Beijing, Shanghai, and parts of New York City, with London in line to get it sometime soon.

Hopefully, Express Transit with Octopus will enable the iPhone and Apple Watch contactless experience to match the speed of tapping a physical Octopus card.