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

UOB or United Overseas Bank was founded in Singapore in 1935, and is now one of the world’s top banks, with a banking subsidiary in Malaysia. As an international bank, UOB offers a suite of financial services, including an array of credit cards for every need.

Keep reading to find out if UOB Malaysia supports Apple Pay and if you can add your UOB card to your Apple Wallet. Not an UOB cardholder? Find out more also about an alternative, the multi-currency Wise card, which is compatible with Apple Pay.

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?

Does an international bank like UOB Malaysia support Apple Pay? Unfortunately, UOB cards in Malaysia are not yet supported by Apple Wallet and cannot be used for Apple Pay transactions¹.

Although Apple Pay and UOB are not yet compatible, UOB in Malaysia offers for individuals and companies, including Islamic banking. There’s also privilege banking, private banking and wholesale banking, and credit cards specially for women.

Which banks or cards does Apple Pay support?

If you’re on the search for banks or cards supported by Apple Pay 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?

The question on all Android users’ minds is, if not Apple Pay, does Google Pay support UOB cards? Google Pay operates similarly to Apple Pay, where you add your card details to your Google Account to make seamless contactless and digital transactions.

Just like Apple Pay, Google Pay is also not supported by UOB in Malaysia.

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 cards² 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 need a card that’s compatible with Apple Pay or Google Pay, especially for travel and foreign currency payments, why not consider getting the Wise card? This multi-currency card not only allows for transactions in 150+ countries, but is also compatible with both Apple Pay and Google Play for seamless transactions.

Wise believes in low, transparent fees starting from 0.33%⁵, and all currency conversions on Wise use the mid-market rate as shown on Google. You’ll also get some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR every month. To save more even while you spend, 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 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 Wallet³

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 GPay⁴

Learn more about Google Pay