---
title: "iOS system requirements"
description: "Requirements for the hardware and software used in iOS Mobile solutions."
url: "https://docs.adyen.com/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/requirements"
source_url: "https://docs.adyen.com/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/requirements.md"
canonical: "https://docs.adyen.com/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/requirements"
last_modified: "2026-04-08T16:23:00+02:00"
language: "en"
---

# iOS system requirements

Requirements for the hardware and software used in iOS Mobile solutions.

[View source](/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/requirements.md)

In the iOS Mobile solutions, an iOS POS application with the iOS Mobile SDK integrated into it must be installed on the end user's iOS mobile device. The SDK is the same for both Tap to Pay on iPhone and card reader on iOS.

This page shows the hardware requirements that the mobile devices must meet, the software requirements that your Mobile solution must meet, and the requirements when using the card reader solution with a dock.

## Hardware requirements

This section outlines the requirements for the mobile devices and card reader types that you can use with your iOS Mobile solution.

### Mobile devices

The mobile devices you can use in an iOS Mobile solution are:

* An iPhone for the Tap to Pay on iPhone solution.
* An iPhone or iPad for the Card reader on iOS solution.

These mobile devices must meet the following requirements:

* Must not be a payment terminal.
* Must not have an integrated card reader.
* Must have a screen lock passcode configured on the device.
* The iPhone model must be iPhone XS or later.

#### Setting a device passcode

To maintain the highest degree of security, the iOS SDK uses the iOS keychain in its core functionality. For this reason, you must ensure that a passcode is set on the iOS mobile devices used in your Mobile solution.

Changing the device passcode is not a problem. However, removing the device passcode has negative consequences:

* The device where the passcode was removed can no longer make transactions.
* Store and forward offline payments that were made while a passcode was still set can no longer be recovered.

If for some reason setting a passcode is not ideal in your situation, you can use the following workarounds:

* In the iOS settings, set the display lock to **Never** so that the mobile device does not go to sleep.
* Set a simple passcode that is easy for your staff to remember.

### Card readers

For the card reader solution, you also need to have an [NYC1 card reader](/point-of-sale/user-manuals/nyc1/) from Adyen. There are two types of NYC1 card readers:

* **NYC1** : A secure card reader for PIN (SCRP), certified for [transactions with PIN](/point-of-sale/mobile-android/understand#pin-transaction-with-a-card-reader). Requires iOS Mobile SDK version **3.8.0** or later.
* **NYC1-SCR**: A secure card reader (SCR) that can only be used for transactions without PIN.

NYC1 card readers for secure PIN transactions (NYC1s) will become available for order in the US on **December 1, 2025.**

NYC1-SCR card readers will no longer be available for order after **February 1, 2026**. We recommend to start ordering NYC1s instead of NYC1-SCRs.

It is possible to disable PIN support on your NYC1 card reader from iOS Mobile SDK version **3.12.0** or later. You need to reach out to our [Support Team](https://ca-test.adyen.com/ca/ca/contactUs/support.shtml?form=other) and ask them to disable PIN support on the company, merchant, or store level.

For a countertop setup, you can connect the card reader to a dock from Adyen. Other card readers and USB docks are not supported.

### Dock

Using the card reader solution in a countertop setup with a dock is supported under the following conditions:

* The dock must be the NYC1 dock from Adyen.
* The NYC1 dock can only be used with the power adapter from Adyen. You can order the power adapter together with the NYC1 dock.
* The minimum required iOS SDK version is **3.9.0**.
* The minimum required firmware version of the card reader is **3.X.00.76**.

## Software requirements

Your iOS Mobile solution must meet the following requirements:

* **Minimum required iOS version** on the mobile device: **17.0**.

  The following table shows the behavior of the solution on earlier iOS versions than the minimum required version.

  | iOS version on device with POS app | SDK integrated in the POS app                                                                                                                             |
  | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
  | iOS 18.4 or later                  | From July 8, 2026, this will be the minimum required iOS version. The device can use all functionality from the POS app, including the SDK functionality. |
  | iOS 17.0 or later                  | The device can use all functionality from the POS app, including the SDK functionality until July 7, 2026.                                                |
  | iOS 13.0 - 16.x                    | The device can use the POS app, but not the SDK functionality.                                                                                            |
  | iOS 12.x or earlier                | The device cannot run the POS app if the SDK is integrated into it.                                                                                       |

  For **Tap to Pay on iPhone**, iOS **18.4** or later is recommended to benefit from the security of [Mobile Payments on COTS (MPoC) compliance](/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/security#mpoc-approval-ttp). To ensure continued MPoC compliance, iOS versions are supported up to a year after the release date of the iOS major, minor, or patch version. The following table shows the supported iOS versions and their deprecations dates for Tap to Pay on iPhone.

  | iOS version                                          | Deprecation date for Tap to Pay on iPhone |
  | ---------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
  | iOS 18.5                                             | May 12, 2026                              |
  | iOS 18.4.1                                           | April 16, 2026                            |
  | iOS 18.4                                             | March 31, 2026                            |
  | iOS 18.3.2 iOS 18.3.1                                | March 11, 2026                            |
  | iOS 18.3 iOS 18.2.1 iOS 18.2                         | January 27, 2026                          |
  | iOS 18.1.1 iOS 18.1 iOS 18.0.1 iOS 17.7.2 iOS 17.7.1 | November 19, 2025                         |
  | iOS 18.0 iOS 16.7 to 17.7                            | September 16, 2025                        |

* **Minimum required SDK version**: the SDK [expires every six months](/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/manage#keep-the-mobile-sdk-up-to-date), so you need to update to the latest SDK version regularly. See the [release notes](/point-of-sale/firmware-release-notes/?title%5B0%5D=iOS%2BSDK%2Bon%2Bmobile).

* **Minimum required software version of the card reader**: card reader software versions relate to SDK versions, and you need to update the NYC1 card reader regularly. See the [release notes](/point-of-sale/firmware-release-notes/?title%5B0%5D=NYC1%2Bcard%2Breader).

* For development, **Xcode version 16** or later is required.

* Your POS app must be integrated with our [Terminal API](/point-of-sale/design-your-integration/terminal-api#api-structure).

We will send a system message in case of a mandatory software update.

## See also

* [Supported countries/regions, payment methods, and functionality](/point-of-sale/ipp-mobile)
* [Keeping the SDK and card reader up to date](/point-of-sale/mobile-ios/manage)
