MB WAY, Portugal’s leading mobile payment app, is now the first euro-denominated application in Europe to offer NFC (Near Field Communication) payments on iOS devices.
iPhone users can now make secure, contactless payments directly with MB WAY, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of mobile payments in Europe.
This development follows the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires Apple to grant third-party apps access to the iPhone’s NFC chip - a functionality previously restricted to Apple Pay. With this update, MB WAY users on iOS can now enjoy the same seamless contactless experience already available to Android users since 2017.
“This is a breakthrough moment for digital payments in Portugal and across the EU,” says Madalena Cascais Tomé, CEO of SIBS. “By enabling NFC payments on iPhone, MB WAY ensures a consistent and inclusive user experience across platforms - reinforcing our commitment to innovation, convenience, and freedom of choice. We believe this evolution strengthens the European digital economy and sets a precedent for fairer access to key mobile technologies. At SIBS, we remain focused on developing secure, interoperable, and future-proof solutions that simplify everyday life for people and businesses.”
Launched by SIBS in 2015, MB WAY has grown into the comprehensive and most widely used mobile payment solution in the Euro Zone. It allows users to make instant transfers, shop online, create and manage virtual cards, split bills, and pay in-store via QR code or contactless technology. With more than 6,5 million users, more than 1bi transactions yearly, and widespread acceptance across PSPs and merchants, MB WAY has become the preferred consumer mobile solution in Portugal and plays a central role in the Europe’s digital economy.
With this new functionality, MB WAY further strengthens its position as a benchmark for user-centric, interoperable payment solutions in Europe. QR code payments remain available in the app and continue to offer a convenient alternative for everyday transactions.
MB WAY and SIBS are also founding members of EuroPA (European Payments Alliance) - an initiative that brings together national payment solutions from across Europe to create a unified, interoperable payment network. The goal of EuroPA is to enable users to make cross-border payments using their local apps, fostering a more connected and competitive European payments landscape.