Hong Kong's Apple device users finally get an Octopus card service

Hong Kong's iPhone users can finally integrate their Octopus cards with their phones to use transport around Hong Kong and pay at retail outlets, as Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) has announced the launch of Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch.

The Express Mode for Apple Pay system will allow customers to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on an Octopus receiver just like a normal Octopus card. In addition to public transport, iPhone users can use Apple Pay with Octopus to pay at 35,000 retail outlets including supermarkets and convenience stores across Hong Kong. The system skips the standard requirement of Apple devices for payment authentication with a Face ID or Touch ID but as a safety measure has set the maximum stored value of Octopus on Apple Pay at HK$3,000. 

Sunny Cheung, CEO of OCL, said, "Octopus on Apple Pay takes Hong Kong a step closer to a cashless payment society. Given the popularity of Apple devices and Octopus’ penetration in Hong Kong, OCL is keen to expand our service offerings to an even wider audience through this new platform, and to help fast-track the adoption of mobile payments in this city."

After embedding the Octopus card, users can also add funds at the usual locations with cash, or by reloading value with Octopus’ Automatic Add Value Services. Thankfully, there are no service fees to set up, use, or top-up the Octopus account through credit, debit, or an ATM card on iPhone and Apple Watch.

This release comes almost two-and-a-half years after the Samsung Pay service for Octopus was introduced and the first mobile wallet to exclusively launch for Smart Octopus in Hong Kong. Samsung also waived its own Smart Octopus add value service fees for Mastercard or Visa cards enrolled in Samsung Pay. 

Related articles

HKTaxi partnership allows passengers to pay with Octopus and O! ePay

Passengers can hail a taxi through app and pay by Octopus

PayPal and Octopus announce partnership to drive e-commerce