Samsung Pay Mini for iOS won't launch following Apple rejection

We've been hearing for months that Samsung planned to launch a version of its mobile payment app for iOS, but now it seems those plans have been scrapped. According to a new report, Apple rejected Samsung's mobile app from its App Store, the reasons for which aren't clear, and the South Korean company doesn't plan on resubmitting the app. Samsung will instead double down in its focus on Android.

The news comes from Korean publication etnews, which reports that Apple recently rejected the Samsung Pay Mini app intended for iPhones. Though earlier reports had indicated the app would launch this past summer, it seems Samsung planned to officially launch it on iOS next month. That plan has now been scrapped. It isn't clear when or why Apple rejected the app.

Some have suggested that Apple rejected the app to avoid introducing competition for Apple Pay, but such speculation is unfounded at this time. Samsung has reportedly decided that it will not resubmit the app. Speaking with etnews, a Samsung Electronics rep said (as translated by Google):

After Apple rejected [the] registration of Samsung Pay Mini [in] its App Store, we have decided to focus on smartphone with Android OS.

Samsung Pay is the company's alternative to Apple Pay and Android Pay, enabling users to load their bank cards in the app, then use their phone to pay for purchases at stores where the mobile payment platform is accepted. Though such mobile payments are still relatively niche at this time, the number of stores accepting the technology is increasing, and some places, like Walmart and CVS, are introducing their own store-specific platforms.

SOURCE: etnews