PayPal launches contactless iPhone, Android payments in Germany

The news: PayPal launched contactless payments for both iOS and Android users in Germany, per a press release.

• Consumers will be able to make in-store proximity payments through the PayPal app anywhere that accepts Mastercard contactless payments.
• Consumers will also be able to use PayPal’s Pay Later solution in stores and activate offers in the PayPal app to earn cash back.

Why this matters: This is the first time PayPal has enabled NFC payments through its digital wallet after Apple opened up the tech to developers in Europe, the US, and select other markets in response to antitrust concerns from regulators.

At the time, we predicted PayPal would start offering contactless payments now that it could do so across mobile operating systems.

The bigger picture: Despite being massively popular for online purchases, PayPal has struggled to make inroads in stores through its QR code payments and the PayPal Debit Mastercard.

Now the company is trying to change that: PayPal launched its largest-ever US ad campaign last fall featuring its debit card and in-store payment capabilities, and followed that up with another campaign with cash giveaways this spring.