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Microsoft adds tap to pay via Wallet for Windows 10 Mobile Insiders

Microsoft is starting its rollout of tap-to-pay to certain U.S.-based Windows Insiders; general availability in the U.S. is 'later this Summer.'
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Microsoft is adding NFC tap-to-pay via the Microsoft Wallet for Windows 10 Mobile.

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Yes, Windows Phone currently doesn't support tap-to-pay. And technically, it still doesn't, as the tap-to-pay feature is currently only available to Windows Insiders running Build 14360 or higher. It also currently only works on Lumia 950, 950 XL and 650 in the U.S. only.

Microsoft officials are saying tap-to-pay will be generally available "later this Summer." They aren't currently specifying which Windows Phones will get the feature then, or when the feature will come to those outside the U.S.

Microsoft officials said tap to pay via the updated Wallet app "is usable in over a million retail locations; anywhere you see the contactless payment symbol or the Microsoft Wallet logo at the point of sale."

Microsoft announced the availability of the updated Wallet app on June 21. Windows Central noted that the updated Wallet app was on its way earlier this month.

Microsoft Wallet 2.0 supports credit and debit cards, membership cards and rewards cards. Microsoft currently lists Bank of America, and People's United Bank as supporting Wallet, with Chase, USBank, Fifth Third Bank and others coming soon, according to its web site.

Microsoft officials first discussed the company's plans to add tap-to-pay -- codenamed "OnePay" -- to Windows 10 more than a year ago at WinHEC. After that, officials declined to say when or how Microsoft would add support for that feature to Windows 10.

Microsoft officials also announced availability of the updated Windows 10 Maps app today, June 21. The updated app adds more offline support, HERE favorites migration and new navigation options. Microsoft's Maps app is meant to be the replacement for HERE Maps, which isn't available Windows 10 Mobile devices.

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