Merchants in Bahrain can now accept contactless payments with an iPhone instead of using a separate payment terminal.
The service, called AFS PRO Tap to Pay on iPhone, was launched by Arab Financial Services (AFS).
AFS announced the launch at the fourth edition of Gateway Gulf. The forum was hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board and focused on “Reimagining Global Partnerships, Powering Sustainable Growth.”
The setup is straightforward: a customer holds a contactless card, smartphone, or wearable device near the merchant’s iPhone to pay. There is no need for a card reader or other extra equipment. The iPhone handles the payment itself.
This could be useful for businesses that work outside a fixed location or do not need a traditional checkout terminal. AFS mentions independent retailers, entrepreneurs, service providers, and pop-up businesses among the potential users. Other merchants can use it as an additional way to take payments.
AFS Group CEO Samer Soliman said merchants want tools that fit into their daily work, rather than having to change the way they operate to accommodate new technology. He said the iPhone payment service was introduced with that need in mind.
UAE launch planned for November
AFS is also preparing to bring the service to the UAE in early November 2026. The rollout is planned with Mawarid Finance and Mastercard, following the launch in Bahrain.
The companies have worked together on other payment products in the UAE. In August 2026, AFS and Mastercard launched corporate credit and prepaid cards linked to the AFS Pro app. The UAE was set to be the first market, with Egypt next in line.
The app combines tools for managing business spending and collecting payments. Merchants can accept in-person payments through tap-to-phone SoftPOS, send pay-by-link requests for remote transactions, and track activity through real-time dashboards. Tap to Pay on iPhone will give them another option for accepting contactless payments.
AFS already operates in the UAE and holds a license from the Central Bank of the UAE. It also has offices and data centers there, as well as operations in Bahrain, Egypt, and Oman.
