The latest iOS 16 developer beta mentions unannounced support for virtual cards, a security feature used by banks to protect users’ real credit card information. A potentially important new feature has been discovered in the code for the newly released third iOS 16 developer beta. Although not announced or previously rumored, it appears that Apple may be adding support for so-called virtual cards.
A virtual card is a security measure used by banks and credit card companies. Using this measure, the credit card owner is given an additional card number that serves as an alias for the real card.
Usually, virtual cards are only available for a limited number of transactions. They also have a relatively short life span, usually available for no more than one year.
Apple Card already hides the user’s real bank card number, but test code found in iOS 16 suggests an extension of this idea. It hints that Safari will be able to provide a virtual card for sites that don’t accept the regular Apple Card or Apple Pay.
“Offer this card in Safari autofill and hide your real card number when shopping online,” a reference in the code says.” Continue to use your card as you always have. It’s now available in Safari AutoFill when shopping online and hides your real card information. For added security, the site will now use a dummy card number that will be available in Safari AutoFill.”
The inclusion of such code does not prove that the feature will be available when iOS 16 is released. However, its presence in the beta means it is at least being tested.
The virtual card support comes after Apple’s growing foray into finance, with the company announcing a buy-now-pay-later credit service at WWDC 2022.
