Apple’s latest iOS 27 rollout adds a Tap to Share function, letting merchants use an iPhone to exchange data with customers via NFC. The feature builds on the existing Tap to Pay on iPhone capability, which has let small businesses accept contactless payments without extra hardware. Merchants can now share contact details, shipping addresses, and Apple Wallet passes.

Yet, the new capability is limited to devices running iOS 27 on an iPhone 12 or newer, and it remains unavailable in the European Economic Area. Apple offered no justification for the exclusion, nor a timeline for when the feature might roll out to EU markets. The move follows similar regional restrictions on other Apple services.

During an active Tap to Pay session, users can now send membership signup data, shipping addresses, or email receipts, add or share Apple Wallet passes, view their cart, and pay with Apple Pay. The NFC‑based exchange mirrors the security of Apple Pay, but adds a layer of convenience for merchants wanting to capture customer information on the spot.

For small vendors, the ability to collect contact data without a point‑of‑sale system promises lower overhead and faster customer onboarding. However, the EU blackout limits the feature’s reach, potentially widening the digital divide between U.S. and European merchants. Apple will likely revisit the decision once regulatory hurdles clear.