Apple has officially launched Express Mode in South Korea, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch users to pay for public transportation quickly with T-Money integration. The feature allows commuters to tap their device on a terminal without unlocking it, ensuring fast and secure access to trains and buses across the country.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, stated, “Korea has a world-class transportation system, and we’re thrilled to make it even more convenient with Apple Pay and T-Money.”
How Express Mode Works
Express Mode, introduced in iOS 12.3 back in 2019, has expanded gradually worldwide. With its arrival in Korea, users can now add an eligible T-Money prepaid card to Apple Wallet. This feature works on iPhone Xs or later running iOS 17.2 and Apple Watch Series 6 or newer with watchOS 10.2.
Unlike standard Apple Pay transactions, Express Mode does not require Face ID, Touch ID, or even device unlocking. Additionally, Apple designed it to work even when the device enters Low Power Mode, keeping enough charge to allow transit payments.
Limitations and Requirements
Currently, Express Mode supports only one T-Money card per device, and users must manually select a card if they have multiple options. Adding funds is possible within Apple Wallet, but it requires a credit or debit card issued in Korea.
However, the service excludes certain taxis and intercity buses for now. Apple has provided a link to T-Money’s support page for further details, although the site was unavailable at the time of the announcement.
Apple’s Growing Footprint in Korea
This launch follows Apple’s rollout of the Find My service in Korea earlier this year, signaling Apple’s commitment to expanding localized services. With Express Mode, Apple aims to deliver a smoother commuting experience for millions of travelers across the country.
