APPLE is stepping up efforts to curb gift-card fraud by reportedly embedding dedicated security chips into future physical Apple Gift Cards. The story, based on code discovered in the iOS 27 Release Candidate, suggests that these chips would be read by devices running iOS 27 or later, allowing users to verify a card’s validity simply by tapping their iPhone against the card.
The implication is that real-time status — such as whether a card is blocked or cancelled — could be confirmed instantly, potentially eliminating the need to scan or manually enter redemption codes.
The article notes that Apple has not officially announced this integration, and details about the exact hardware, software changes, and how the verification would operate in practice remain speculative. It also raises theoretical concerns about in-store theft if a consumer could attempt to redeem an unpurchased card by tapping, suggesting that additional verification steps might be needed.
According to the piece, the public understanding of the technical implementation is limited, and the timeline for any official launch remains uncertain. If implemented as described, the feature would aim to reduce counterfeit and compromised gift cards, but readers should treat these findings as unconfirmed pending formal confirmation from Apple.