How to Use the Credit Card Scanner for Online Purchases with iOS 8

If you’re anything like me, entering credit card information is the bane of your existence. Typing all that information on such a small keyboard is just so gosh-darn tedious, amarite? So it’s either wait begrudgingly until I get back to a computer to make my purchase, or spend hours of focused concentration, trying to enter those 16 digits in the exact right order before my fingers go numb. Either way, it ends with me crying in the corner because the Twin Peaks dvd box set I wanted is now all sold out.

Ok, so maybe it’s not quite that big of a deal for those of you out there with more patience and dexterity than I, but I think we can all agree that entering your credit card information could certainly be easier. Well, fret no more, fellow techies, for Apple has come to our rescue. With iOS 8, you can easily scan your credit card when making purchases on safari, saving you a few keystrokes and a whole bunch of frustration. Follow the easy steps below, and soon you’ll be the fastest shopper in the west –just in time for Cyber Monday.

1. Open Safari.

2. Go to the site you want to buy things from, and select your purchases.

3. Once you’ve finished shopping, go to your cart and checkout.

4.  When asked to input your credit card information, simply tap on the box where you would normally input your name or card number.

5. Tap “scan credit card”.

6. A box will appear, telling you to position your card in the frame.

7. Hold your credit card up to the frame. The scanner will grab your information, and input your card number for you (depending on the site you are using, it may automatically enter your name and the expiration date, as well).

And Voila! Online shopping magic! You can now complete your purchases.

The one downside to the new scanner, is that it only works on sites opened through safari. For example, if you purchase something through Amazon.com, the option to scan your card is available; but not so if you make the purchase through their app. This is a bit of a bummer, since apps are often easier to navigate when shopping on the iPhone. Hopefully companies like Amazon will soon catch on, and add this ability to their apps as well.

Have any of you stumbled upon apps that are already utilizing the card scanner? Let us know in the comments below; we’d love to shop there!

Don’t forget to check out our iOS How To’s section to learn more tips and tricks for your iPhone.