Apple has announced the discontinuation of its U.S.-only Pay Later feature, just two years after its initial announcement at WWDC. The news was first reported by 9 to 5 Mac and confirmed by Truth Voices.
Starting later this year, users across the globe will be able to access installment loans offered through credit and debit cards, as well as lenders, when checking out with Apple Pay. With the introduction of this new global installment loan offering, we will no longer offer Apple Pay Later in the U.S. Our focus continues to be on providing our users with access to easy, secure and private payment options with Apple Pay, and this solution will enable us to bring flexible payments to more users, in more places across the globe, in collaboration with Apple Pay enabled banks and lenders.
– Apple
In a statement, Apple explained that the introduction of a new global installment loan offering will replace Pay Later in the U.S. The company is focusing on providing users with easy, secure, and private payment options through Apple Pay, and the new solution will enable flexible payments in more places around the world.
Pay Later was officially launched in late March 2023, but its life was short-lived. Apple’s recent announcement at WWDC 2024 revealed that users will be able to access loans through third-party app Affirm through Apple Pay.
The new feature will roll out in several countries, including Australia, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S., with multiple lenders and issuers participating. Users in the U.S. will also be able to apply for loans directly through Affirm when checking out with Apple Pay.
As of Monday, Pay Later is no longer offering new loans, but users with current loans will still be able to pay for and manage them through Apple Wallet. The personal loan market has seen an increase in recent years, with a rise of 8% since the start of the pandemic.
