How to choose the
best credit card reader for iphone
What is the Purpose Of A Credit Card Reader For iPhone?
Credit cards are everywhere these days. Whether we’re paying for groceries, gas, or online purchases, our wallets are filled with plastic. But did you know there was once a time where using a credit card wasn’t common practice? Before the invention of the credit card, merchants relied on cash transactions. So imagine being able to pay for everything with nothing more than a piece of paper. Nowadays, most stores accept credit cards, but many still rely on cash transactions. However, there are still places around the country that haven’t adopted the technology yet. To be honest, I didn’t think I needed a credit card reader for my phone until recently. I thought I could always swipe my debit card and go. Turns out, I couldn’t. There are certain situations where swiping a debit card isn’t enough. Here are three reasons why you need a credit card reader for your iPhone.
1) Security
The first reason you need a credit card reader for your iPhone is security. Most of us carry around a wallet full of money. We take those bills out of the wallet, count them, and put them away. Then we grab another bill and repeat the process. While this method seems safe, it’s actually very risky. Thieves can steal your wallet while you aren’t looking. With a credit card reader, you can avoid this problem altogether. Instead of carrying around a bunch of cash, you can store your credit cards in a secure location. No longer will thieves be able to snatch your wallet right out of your hand.
2) Convenience
Another benefit of using a credit card reader for your iPhone is convenience. Many times, we forget our wallets at home. This happens especially when we travel. Luckily, a credit card reader lets you access your credit cards wherever you happen to be. All you have to do is plug in your phone and start making payments. You no longer have to worry about losing your wallet or forgetting your keys.
Finally, a third reason you need a credit card reader for your iPhone is ease of use. Some credit card readers require special software installed on your smartphone. Others allow you to connect directly to your bank account. Either way, installing the software takes a few minutes. Once you’ve got the app downloaded, you’ll be ready to shop anywhere. Just remember to turn off your wireless connection before connecting to the reader. Otherwise, you risk getting charged extra fees for
Credit cards are everywhere these days. Whether you’re using them online or making purchases in stores, there’s no doubt that we rely heavily on our plastic cards. However, many of us still carry around those old fashioned magnetic strips, which aren’t very convenient. Luckily, technology has advanced enough to allow us to take advantage of modern payment methods while maintaining the convenience of carrying around a physical card. One of the most popular ways to pay today is via Apple Pay, which uses near field communication (NFC) technology to securely store information on your phone. NFC is a wireless communications standard that enables devices to exchange data within close proximity of each other. With Apple Pay, you can tap your phone on a contactless terminal to complete transactions.
How Does An NFC Chip Work?
An NFC chip is embedded into your mobile device. Once activated, it communicates with nearby terminals to authenticate payments. To activate the chip, you must hold your phone next to the terminal. After activating the chip, you can swipe your card or enter your pin number. There are two types of chips available – passive and active. Passive chips require power from the terminal itself to function. Active chips contain their own battery and transmit signals independently. Both types of chips are widely accepted across the globe.
Benefits of Using NFC Technology
There are several benefits to using NFC technology. First, it eliminates the need to remember PIN numbers or passwords. Instead, you can simply wave your phone over the terminal to complete a transaction. Second, NFC technology is secure. Unlike traditional magnetic strip readers, NFC does not leave behind a traceable record of your financial activity. Third, NFC technology is faster than swiping a card manually. Because NFC requires little effort, users can complete transactions quicker. Fourth, NFC technology is easier to implement than traditional magnetic stripe readers. Fifth, NFC technology is cheaper than traditional magnetic stripe readers. Sixth, NFC technology is safer than traditional magnetic stripe readers. Finally, NFC technology is environmentally friendly. No batteries are required, thus eliminating the risk of losing power during transit.
Where Can You Use NFC Technology?
The credit card readers are very useful devices which allow us to read our cards using our mobile phones. There are many types of these readers available in the market today. Some of them are built into the phone while others are external ones. So here we discuss few features to be considered while purchasing a credit card reader for iPhone.
1) Size
There are different kinds of credit card readers available in the market. Some of them are small enough to carry around in your pocket while others are big enough to hold multiple cards. Make sure that the size of the reader matches the size of your wallet or purse. Otherwise, you will end up carrying two bags along with your smartphone.
2) Compatibility
Most of the credit card readers are designed to connect directly to your iPhone via Bluetooth. However, there are some models which require USB connection. Check whether the reader supports both connections or not. Most of the modern smartphones support both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. But check the compatibility of the reader with your particular smartphone.
4) Battery Life
Some of the readers consume battery power faster than others. Therefore, it is advisable to select a reader which has long lasting batteries. Moreover, avoid those readers which drain the battery too fast. This could result in frequent charging of the reader.
5) Memory Capacity
Memory capacity refers to the number of cards supported by the reader. Usually, the memory capacity increases with the increase in price. Hence, it is recommended to go for higher priced readers which have larger memory
There are many different kinds of credit cards readers available for iPhones. Some of these devices allow users to read magnetic stripe cards while others require contactless technology. Here we discuss the pros and cons of each type of card reader.
Magnetic Stripe Readers
These readers are very popular among consumers who wish to carry around a small portable device which can be used to swipe credit cards. Magnetic stripe readers are typically found inside wallets and purses. However, there are several models available for smartphones including the following:
The Square Cash App - Free (Square)