Clover launches Tap to Pay update for digital payments

Clover has launched a new update in Australia, enabling Apple's Tap to Pay on mobile phones through the Clover app, allowing businesses to accept contactless payments without needing additional hardware.

This development is aimed at enhancing payment flexibility for businesses of all sizes, including micro-entrepreneurs and sole traders who can now process payments instantly and track funds more efficiently. The rapidly growing side hustle economy in Australia, estimated at AUD $10 billion annually, stands to benefit from these simpler and more accessible payment solutions.

Contactless environment

Australia is noted as one of the world's most cashless societies, creating fertile ground for technologies such as Apple's Tap to Pay. Data shows a strong shift towards digital payments: 54% of in-person transactions are now made using contactless cards, while an additional 44% are completed through mobile wallets. Only 2% of transactions still rely on chip and PIN. The progression to digital is clear, with contactless transactions making up 95% of in-store card payments in 2022, compared to around 85% in 2019. Nearly a third of these were conducted on mobile devices.

Digital wallet adoption is also climbing, with the value of transactions rising from AUD $126 billion in 2023 to AUD $166.6 billion in 2024, and forecasts indicating it will surpass AUD $200 billion in 2025. Australians now conduct over four billion mobile wallet transactions each year, outpacing ATM withdrawals by more than eleven times, as the use of cash continues to decline.

Merchant benefits

The updated Clover system allows merchants to accept secure, contactless payments directly on their phones, removing the need for additional terminals or card readers. This can lead to faster transactions, less friction at the point of sale, and an improved customer experience for those already comfortable paying with digital devices like smartphones and smartwatches.

The system is designed to provide flexibility for a wide range of businesses, including sole traders, mobile operations, and micro-retailers. The goal is for business owners to be able to accept payments wherever their customers are, with limited setup and strong security protocols.

Clover only launched in Australia in March 2025 and has already been adopted by thousands of merchants across all states and territories. It has positioned itself as an all-in-one platform managing payments, inventory, customers, and employees, catering to both established businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.

Leadership perspective

"Bringing Tap to Pay on phone to Clover in Australia is a major milestone in our mission to help local businesses grow and thrive," said Gavin Jones, Country Manager, Fiserv Australia. "Whether you're a sole trader working from your van, or a small retailer serving customers at the counter, Clover now gives you the tools to run and grow your business, right from your phone. This is just the beginning of our innovation rollout. We aim to create a smart system that makes doing business easier, so our customers can focus on the things that matter."

With escalating demand for mobile-first and flexible payment platforms, Clover continues to expand its reach across Australia, providing businesses with tools to manage payments and operations on the go.