(qlmbusinessnews.com . Wed 1st Oct, 2025) London, UK —
Mobile Payment Adoption Skyrockets Across All Ages in the UK, Bank Data Reveals
Half of British adults are now frequently opting to pay for items by simply tapping their smartphones, according to recent banking figures.
This boost in mobile payment usage, facilitated by platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay, has been witnessed across diverse age demographics, data from the industry association UK Finance reveals.
“People increasingly find the idea of leaving their homes armed with nothing but their phone far more appealing,” remarked Adrian Buckle, the Head of Research at UK Finance.
Buckle pointed out a significant shift in consumer habits, noting that the past year was the inaugural instance of 50% of adults engaging with mobile payments at least monthly – a substantial rise from 34% in 2023.
More consumers are now opting to store their card information on their mobile phones or smartwatches, proceeding to make contactless payments that are secured via facial or fingerprint verification rather than entering a PIN.
A notable 78% of youths aged between 16 and 24 were recorded to regularly utilise mobile payments last year, with the numbers even higher for registration to these services.
The trend is extending to older demographics as well. Approximately 59% of individuals aged between 35 and 44 made mobile payments regularly in 2024, marking an increase from 38% in the previous year.
Even amongst the senior citizens, 19% aged 65 and above were found to often pay through their phones.
As a result, the usage of physical contactless cards witnessed a minor decline, although debit cards continue to dominate as the preferred payment method. Parallelly, cash transactions have seen a reduction in frequency – yet close to 50 million people still engaged with ATMs.
“Cash accounted for less than 10% of all payments,” highlighted Mr Buckle. “These shifts weren't solely propelled by the younger crowd. We observed adoption of mobile wallets and Buy Now Pay Later services amongst older age groups as well, accentuating the widespread movement towards digital payments.”
Conversely, in 2023, amid financial strains, there was a rise in individuals predominantly relying on cash as a budgeting tool.
This figure dipped in the past year, yet advocates stress the importance of retaining cash as an option for consumers.
“While the dependency on cash is on a decline, it's predominantly those with lower incomes or in vulnerable positions who continue to rely on it,” said Adrian Roberts, the Deputy Chief Executive of Link, the body responsible for cash access and the ATM network.
Roberts cautioned against haphazardly transitioning to a digital-only economy before ensuring readiness across the board. He also raised concerns about the resilience of a fully digital payment system, especially in scenarios like widespread power outages.
Lawmakers in the Treasury Committee have suggested that retail outlets and services might need to be legally required to accept cash in the future to safeguard those who depend on it.
Additionally, the UK's financial oversight authority has proposed that banks and card issuers determine their limits for contactless card transactions or consider abolishing the existing £100 limit altogether.
This move would make PIN entry even more obsolete, as smartphones, thanks to their enhanced security features, already have no cap on contactless payments when done through a digital wallet.
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