The stored-value smartcard can now be topped up via Apple Pay for use at all Octopus acceptance points.
From 3 June 2020, consumers can make contactless payments using Octopus on Apple Pay with their iPhone or Apple Watch at all Octopus acceptance points. Octopus is available to users in Hong Kong with iPhone 8 and Apple Watch Series 3 or later. They must update to iOS 13.5 and watchOS 6.2.5 to use this payment linkup feature.
This is possible through a Mastercard tie-up with its issuing partners in Hong Kong, including Bank of China (Hong Kong), China CITIC Bank International Limited, China Construction Bank (Asia), Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited, Dah Sing Bank, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, The Bank of East Asia and Tap & Go by HKT.
Mastercard credit, debit and prepaid cardholders simply select their Octopus card in Wallet on iPhone, tap “Add Money”, enter the desired top-up amount (minimum HK$100), and securely authenticate the transaction with Face ID, Touch ID or their device’s passcode. Cardholders can also create a new Octopus card and top up the stored value in the Octopus app.
In terms of security and privacy, standard Apple Pay functionality remains in place. Apple does not know where its users have travelled, what they buy, where they bought anything, or how much they paid. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure with authentication via Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code.
When a credit, debit or prepaid card is used with Apple Pay, actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard certified chip that stores the payment information safely on the device.
