Does CIMB support Apple Pay? All you need to know about virtual cards and alternatives

CIMB is one of the largest banks in Malaysia, with its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Offering a full range of banking services from consumer banking to Islamic banking, CIMB is also the fifth largest banking group by assets in ASEAN. Naturally, CIMB has a wide range of credit cards to choose from to suit all income levels and lifestyles.

Read on to find out whether your CIMB card is compatible with Apple Pay, and explore another Apple Wallet compatible multi-currency card, the Wise card.

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a free application on which you can add one or multiple debit cards to your phone, watch, or Apple device. This way, you can make contactless mobile payments in stores without your physical cards and save your card and shipping details on your devices for ease of shopping online.

Apple Pay also allows the addition of various other documents like boarding passes, public transportation cards, and even rewards cards (subject to compatibility). Users can then access these cards and passes directly from their iPhone lock screen, without having to comb through files and emails.

Can I add my CIMB card to my Apple Wallet?

In August 2022, while Apple Pay was launched in Malaysia, CIMB did not support Apple Pay. It's been some time since, and the question on everyone's mind: When can CIMB use Apple Pay?

Unfortunately, it appears that Apple Pay in Malaysia is still not supported by CIMB¹. This means that CIMB cards cannot be added to your Apple wallet and hence cannot be used for Apple Pay.

Nevertheless, CIMB with its wide-ranging market presence especially in ASEAN makes it a strong bank with plenty of utility for its credit cards both in Malaysia and overseas. CIMB also has a whole host of other financial services beyond personal banking, for its business and preferred clients.

Which banks or cards does Apple Pay support?

If you’re on the search for banks or cards supported by Apple Pay² for ease of usage, the following list is where you can look:

• Wise
• AmBank (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• HSBC
• Maybank (American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards)
• RHB Bank Berhad (Visa credit and debit cards)
• Standard Chartered Bank (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Mastercard credit and debit cards)

Apple Pay alternative: Does Google Pay support CIMB?

For Android users, Google Pay has been supported by CIMB since 15 November 2022. In fact, CIMB was one of the first Malaysian banks to introduce Google Wallet. For CIMB Bank Mastercard credit cardholders, they can add the card to their Google Wallet to make contactless payments via Google Pay on both Wear OS and Android devices in stores and online.

Which banks or cards does Google Pay support?

To use the Google Pay function on your devices, here are a list of compatible banks and cards³ for your consideration:

• Wise
• AmBank (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• CIMB Bank (Mastercard credit cards)
• CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (Mastercard credit cards)
• Hong Leong Bank Berhad (Mastercard credit card and Visa credit and debit cards)
• Hong Leong Islamic Bank (Mastercard debit)
• HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)
• Malayan Banking Berhad (Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards, Visa Prepaid card)
• Public Bank Berhad (Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards)
• Standard Chartered Bank (Mastercard and Visa credit cards)

Use the Wise card in Apple Pay or Google Pay to maximise your foreign currency transactions

If you find it a hassle to keep pulling out your physical CIMB card for payments, especially when you’re overseas, consider the Wise card - a multi-currency card compatible with both Apple Pay and Google Pay.

With the Wise card, enjoy hassle-free foreign currency payments in 40+ currencies across 150+ countries. As long as the merchant or store accepts contactless payments, using digital payments with your phone shouldn’t pose a problem.

In addition, Wise provides full transparency for its fees – no nasty surprises especially while on holiday. All currency conversions on Wise use the mid-market rate as shown on Google, with low fees starting from 0.33%⁶. For savings all around, order your Wise card now to get it delivered within 5 working days, for a one-time fee of 13.70 MYR which grants you access to both the physical and virtual cards.

🌎 40+ currencies, 150+ countries with just one card

🚀 Get your very own Wise card!

Step-by-step guides on adding your Wise card to digital payment platforms

Wondering how to actually get card details up on Apple Pay or Google Pay? Just follow these simple steps and start making contactless payments abroad with low fees.

How to add your Wise card to Apple Pay

1. Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app
2. Get verified by uploading your ID document
3. Open a currency balance in the currency of your choice, and add funds
4. Order a physical card and pay the low, one time fee
5. Generate your Wise virtual card in the Wise app
6. Your virtual card is available for immediate use - your physical card will arrive in the mail a little later
7. Tap on the Card tab, select your new card and tap on Add to Apple Wallet⁴

Learn more about Apple Pay

How to add your Wise card to Google Pay

1. Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app
2. Get verified by uploading your ID document
3. Open a currency balance in the currency of your choice, and add funds
4. Order a physical card and pay the low, one time fee
5. Generate your Wise virtual card in the Wise app
6. Your virtual card is available for immediate use - your physical card will arrive in the mail a little later
7. Tap on the Card tab, select your new card and tap on Add to GPay⁵

Learn more about Google Pay