Apple Pay support for Hong Kong’s Octopus transit card delayed to 2020

Earlier this year, it was reported that Apple Pay support was coming to the Octopus transit card system in Hong Kong “soon”. But it looks like that won’t pan out.

The soon part, that is. According to an official announcement from Octopus Cards Limited first reported by Ata Distance (via MacRumors), Octopus transit card support in Apple Pay has been delayed, and it won’t make its debut until “later in 2020”. Octopus was initially hoping to get support out before the end of this year.

Here’s the official announcement from Octopus Cards:

We expect to launch Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch for transit and retail payments later in 2020. We are looking forward to sharing more details at a later date.

This is unfortunate news for those interested in this in Hong Kong. But the good news is that support isn’t cancelled altogether, and that Apple Pay support for the Octopus transit card system will be made available sometime next year. Hopefully it’s sooner, rather than later.

When that support does launch, it will allow Octopus transit card users to add their card to Apple Pay and use it for contactless fare payment using the iPhone or Apple Watch. And if Express Transit support is offered, that will make it possible to use the tap-and-go option without authenticating each transaction with a passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.