Apple's China app store now ready to receive UnionPay card payments

By Staff Reporter - 17 Nov '14 02:50AM

Apple iTunes App Store customers in China can now link their UnionPay debit or credit cards to their Apple IDs for purchases, Apple announced today.

The iPhone maker has been facing questions of how it will expand into payment systems in China, a major market.

"The ability to buy apps and make purchases using UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from our customers in China," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, in a statement.

However, Apple's own payment system Apple Pay is not yet available there.

"China is already our second largest market for app downloads, and now we're providing users with an incredibly convenient way to purchase their favorite apps with just one-tap," Cue added in the statement.

The press release notes that China is already Apple's second largest App Store market, although it's unclear if Apple is referring to downloads or purchases with that claim.

The move comes three years after Apple first launched its online retail and App Store presence in 2010. During the intervening years, China has become one of Apple's most important operating areas and a vital area for future growth.

Before UnionPay was added, Apple mainly relied on a top-up system for its app store in China, with a 50 yuan ($8.16) minimum value. The UnionPay payment option means money is transferred directly from a bank account for the exact amount of each purchase.