Getting Started with Koard
Koard supports contactless acceptance on iPhone and Android and facilitates payments to the merchant's configured processor. Choose your iOS setup or Android setup, then configure the merchant and active location.
Use these guides to integrate contactless acceptance into your iOS or Android application. The Apple-specific setup below applies to Tap to Pay on iPhone; Android requirements are in the Android SDK installation guide.
What is Koard?
Koard facilitates contactless payments to the merchant's configured processor through its iOS and Android SDKs. Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can integrate acceptance into their existing applications. Koard supports SDK integration, certification coordination, and merchant onboarding. Launch timing depends on platform approval, processor configuration, and your certification scope.
Key Benefits
- SDK Integration: Released iOS and Android SDKs for supported devices
- Certification Support: Use approved platform and processor configurations and complete the approvals required for your app
- Comprehensive Support: End-to-end guidance from Apple setup to merchant onboarding
- Precompiled SDK: Easy integration with our .xcframework distribution
- Merchant Management: Complete portal for merchant configuration and credential management
- Payment Routing: Flexible integration with multiple payment processors
Who Can Use Koard?
Koard is designed for:
- Payment Service Providers (PSPs) serving multiple merchants
- Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) building payment applications
- Large merchants processing significant transaction volumes
- US and Europe-based enterprises with existing POS infrastructure
Prerequisites
Business Requirements
- US or Europe-based enterprise PSP or ISV
- Serve multiple merchants or process large transaction volumes
- Existing experience with physical POS terminals or similar technology
- Ability to track items and orders in your own database
- Capacity to update your app for Apple compliance requirements
Technical Requirements
- iPhone Model: iPhone XS or later
- iOS Version: iOS 17.4 or later
- Apple Developer Account: Organization-level account required
- GitHub Account: Required for SDK dependency management
- Supported PSP: Integration with a Koard-supported Payment Service Provider
- Sandbox Apple Account: Dedicated Sandbox tester signed in on a test iPhone that will be used for certification and QA
Test Device Required: Plan for a dedicated test iPhone running iOS 17.4 or later with your Sandbox Apple Account signed in. Production Apple IDs cannot be used for Sandbox testing.
Integration Phases
Phase 1: Apple Partnership Setup
- Establish relationship with Apple through Koard
- Confirm the platform and processor certification requirements for your scope
- Set up Apple Business Register Account
- Configure environment and KEK exchange processes
Phase 2: Merchant Onboarding
- Create merchant configurations via Koard's portal
- Set up merchant credentials and processor integrations
- Upload VAR sheets for supported processors and gateways
- Configure payment routing with chosen processors
Phase 3: SDK Integration
- Integrate Koard's precompiled .xcframework
- Implement payment flows in your iOS application
- Test transactions in certification environment
- Prepare for production deployment
Phase 4: Launch and Scale
- Deploy to production environment
- Onboard merchants and provision iPhone terminals
- Monitor transactions and optimize performance
- Scale your tap-to-pay business
Quick Start Path
- Verify Prerequisites: Confirm you meet all business and technical requirements
- Contact Koard: Reach out to our team to discuss your integration needs
- Set Up Apple Partnership: Work with Koard to establish your Apple relationship
- Configure Merchants: Use our portal to set up your merchant configurations
- Integrate SDK: Follow our technical integration guide
- Test and Launch: Complete testing and go live with tap-to-pay payments
Active Location in App Settings
Your app must let operators select an active location in settings. That location determines the linked terminal and payment routing for the authenticated merchant. Validate the selection after login or a merchant change and show it before taking payments. See Active Location and Terminal Routing.
Next Steps
- Setting up the Merchant - Learn how to configure merchant accounts and credentials
- Creating a Sandbox Apple Account - Configure dedicated testers and devices
- Installing the SDK - Technical integration guide
- Payment Lifecycle - Understand the complete payment flow
- Getting Ready for Production - Prepare schemes and API keys for launch
Support
For questions or assistance with your integration:
- Technical Support: Contact our development team
- Business Inquiries: Reach out to Behailu at b@koard.com
- PSP Partnerships: Ask about our updated list of supported Payment Service Providers
