Apple Pay users on London transport could be subject to fines if their smart device runs out of power when tapping out of a journey.

Apple Pay launched in the UK on 16 July 2015, but already its users have been warned by Transport for London (TfL) to ensure their handset is able to complete the full transaction.

Apple Pay can be used on TfL tubes, trains and buses. It requires users to tap their device onto NFC-enabled barriers then tap out after reaching their destination.

The announcement has been shared on Transport for London’s Apple Pay help page.

It said: "Your iPhone or Apple Watch must be switched on to use it to travel. You should also check that you have enough battery on your iPhone or Apple Watch to complete your journey."

If an Apple Pay user is unable to tap out of the transport system’s barriers they could face the maximum fare and be liable for a penalty charge, which is £80 but can be reduced to £40 if paid within 21 days.

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Yet smart phone owners should not attempt to plug their device into a TfL socket. Any commuter found doing this could be found guilty of the statutory offence of abstracting electricity.

TfL has also asked Apple Pay users to use only one device in a single journey and to beware of card clashes: "If you keep a contactless payment or Oyster card in your phone case, you should remove it before using your iPhone to touch in and out.

"If you don’t, you could pay for your travel with a card you did not intend to pay with."