Have you discovered a hint to Apple Pay?
It is (unfortunately) mostly false alarm
# 1 Instructions during configuration
When you start a new iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch for the first time, you get all sorts of instructions to get you started using and setting up your Apple device. Apple Pay is also part of this screen. It is a general translated instruction screen that is shown in all countries, regardless of whether Apple Pay is available or not. Also often pass the instructions to set up Apple Pay Cash, while that feature can only be used in the United States for the time being. These options to set up the payment service also appear when adjusting your region settings. It is also possible that the option appears when you log in with an American Apple ID. You will then also see the Apple News and TV app, for example. The options for Apple Pay also appear in the settings, but disappear again when you return to your own region.
# 2 Booklets and manuals
After the release of the latest devices such as the iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 Apple mention Apple Pay in the supplied booklets and manuals. Apple makes these booklets the same for every country, including translations. It is more work to make special versions for countries where Apple Pay isn't available. Apple already prepares you for the future as soon as the Apple Pay is available. So Apple doesn't have to replace all the iPhone manuals with new ones.
# 3 Everything in your language
That Apple has already translated the instructions for setting into your language doesn't mean anything. By far the most functions on your iPhone and iPad are always immediately translated by Apple. The Apple Pay instructions have even been translated since the introduction of Apple Pay in iOS.
That also has a reason: for example a Dutchman who lives in America and prefers to use his iPhone in Dutch, simply gets the instructions and settings in his own language preference. The fact that this has been translated on your iPhone does not say anything about an early rollout of Apple Pay in your country.
# 4 Logo on iCloud.com
Once you log in to iCloud.com and enter a code for two-factor authentication, bottom buttons and logos appear for Find my iPhone, Apple Pay and the Apple Watch settings. Via these buttons you quickly reach the relevant settings in case you cann't receive a two-factor authentication code, for example in case of theft. This page is the same for everyone and the logo for Apple Pay has been here for at least a number of years. The button is therefore primarily intended for people who have already set up the payment method, because they live in a country where Apple Pay is already active.
# 5 Buttons on Apple Watch
Since watchOS 5 a Apple Pay button appear in the Messages app. However, the Scribble button and Apple Pay button are gray and cann't be used. Since watchOS 5, Apple has changed something so that the buttons are visible to everyone, even if the functions do not work in your country. The fact that both the button for Apple Pay and Scribble are visible, immediately shows that it has nothing to do with Apple Pay in particular. Apple will deliberately make the buttons visible to everyone, although it may also be a mistake that may be solved in a future watchOS version.
# 6 Logos on packaging
The Apple Pay logo pops up now and then, for example on mobile PIN devices and packaging of similar accessories for the iPhone. These kinds of devices are often sold in several countries, making it inconvenient to remove that one logo especially for your country. The same applies to commercials in which the logo passes, as was recently the case with Dutch advertising of a pin accessory for the iPhone.
These types of logos only indicate which services support a device. This is useful, for example, for shopkeepers who have a lot to do with tourists, so they can see that they can pay with Apple Pay.
