Apple’s mobile App Store purchases get big boost in China with UnionPay deal

Apple announced today that App Store customers in China can use that country’s leading payment card to make purchases on their iPhones.

The company struck a deal with China UnionPay that will allow users to connect their Apple ID to one of UnionPay’s debit or credit cards for much faster purchases from their phones. The deal allows Apple to tap into UnionPay’s network of 4.5 billion cards, which are used both in China and abroad.

Because of China’s complex banking system, consumers typically transfer money into their App Store accounts first, then draw down from that when they buy apps. With the UnionPay deal, Apple’s Chinese customers won’t have to deposit money ahead of time; they’ll be charged directly each time they make a purchase.

“The ability to buy apps and make purchases using UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from our customers in China,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, in a press release. “China is already our second largest market for app downloads, and now we’re providing users with an incredibly convenient way to purchase their favorite apps with just one tap.”