Tap to pay with your phone

Use your phone to pay for goods or services with Google Pay.

Where you can use your phone to pay

Most card readers allow you to tap and pay with your credit or debit card. Instead of using your card, you can also tap your phone to pay and use your card with Google Pay. Check for the contactless symbol on card reader machines.

This is the contactless payment symbol:

Important:

• To make contactless payments, turn on Near Field Communication (NFC).
  • To turn on NFC, check your phone’s Settings app.
• In your bank’s app, check your card settings.
  • Ensure that you enable contactless payments.
  • If you can tap your card to pay in shops, you can also tap your phone to use your card with Google Pay.
  • To check your bank settings, check your banking app or call your bank.

Check if your card is “Tap to pay” ready

Check if your card is set up for “Tap to pay,” otherwise add a new card.

1. On your mobile device, open the Google Pay app .
2. Tap your Profile picture Pay with credit or debit cards.
3. Check if the desired card is added and shows up under “Payment methods.”
   • The “Tap to pay” feature is available if you have:
   • A card from a supported bank that issues Mastercard or VISA cards
     • Check the list of supported banks.
   • An Android phone with NFC capability.
4. If you can't find any added cards, follow the on-screen instructions to add a card.

Pay in a store

Step 1: Unlock your phone

• Turn on your screen, then unlock your phone.
• You don’t have to open the Google Pay app .

Tip: For users with a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, face unlock isn’t supported for “Tap to pay” transactions.

Step 2: Hold the back of your phone close to the payment reader

If payment is successful, a blue check mark shows on the screen.

If the check mark doesn’t show on your screen:

• Try to hold your phone in a different way. Your NFC antenna could be near the top or bottom of your device.
• Hold your phone closer to the payment reader.
• Hold your phone to the payment reader for a few extra seconds.

If there’s a check mark but the cashier says that the payment didn’t work:

• Check if the store accepts mobile payments.
• Contact your bank. There could be an issue with your card and your bank have declined the transaction.
  • If the transaction is declined, you aren’t charged.

Tip: For newly issued cards, turn on contactless payment settings through the issuing bank’s mobile app or internet banking.

How to “Tap to pay”

Step 3: If prompted, follow the on-screen instructions

Some stores ask for a PIN or signature. If you’re asked, follow the steps on the screen.

• Debit cards: Enter the PIN that you set up with your bank. This PIN is different from the one you use to unlock your device.
• Credit cards: For larger transactions, sign the receipt or the on-screen signature box.

Fix issues with “Tap to pay” transactions

Step 1: Check your contactless payment setup

Important: To make “Tap to pay” transactions, your phone must be Android 7.0 or higher. Learn how to update your Android version.

1. On your mobile device, open the Google Pay app .
2. Under “Pay with credit or debit cards,” add cards.
3. Turn on NFC.
   • Open Settings .
   • In the “Search settings” bar, type NFC.
     • Ensure NFC is turned on.
     • Contactless payment is available if your phone is NFC capable.
4. Set your default card for Google Pay.
5. Ensure a screen lock is set up.

Tip: For newly issued cards, turn on contactless payment settings through the issuing bank’s mobile app or internet banking.

Step 2: Try again

• Wake and unlock your phone.
• Try to hold your phone in a different way. Your NFC antenna could be near the top or bottom of your device.
• Hold your phone closer to the payment reader.
• Hold your phone to the payment reader for a few extra seconds.

Fix other issues

Your phone doesn't meet security requirements

Important: If your phone doesn’t meet security requirements, you can’t make a payment immediately. Use a device that runs an original version of the Android operating system.

If you installed a modified operating system on your phone, you need to reinstall your phone’s original operating system before you can make contactless payments. If not, your device manufacturer’s software doesn't meet Google’s security requirements. For more information, contact your device manufacturer.

• Check if your software is Play Protect certified.
• If you can no longer make contactless payments with Google Pay, reach out to your device manufacturer. There could be a device software update that impacts functionality.
• While you're in a Beta program, Google Pay can be unreliable or stop working entirely on your device.
• If you have questions or concerns about how Beta program can impact your ability to use Google Pay, contact your device manufacturer.
• If you modified your phone, make sure it meets security standards. Google Pay doesn't work in stores with phones that:
  • Run developer versions of Android.
  • Are rooted, run a custom ROM, or have modified factory software.
    • Due to security risks, Google Pay doesn’t run on these phones.
  • Are untested and haven’t been approved by Google.
  • Have an unlocked bootloader.

The cashier says the payment didn’t work

If a check mark shows on your phone but the cashier says that the payment didn’t work, you can:

• Try a different payment reader.
• Confirm if the store accepts mobile payments.
• Contact your bank. Find out if there’s an issue with your card.

Can’t set up contactless payments

• Your phone must be NFC enabled, run Android version Lollipop (5.0) or higher, and have HCE.
• Activate contactless payments settings for your card through the issuing bank’s mobile app or internet banking.
• If your device is enabled for NFC payments and your card is supported, but you can’t set up contactless payments, contact your bank.

Visa cards won’t work for public transport overseas

Due to technical issues, Visa branded cards in Google Pay won’t work at certain transit agencies like metro, subway, or public buses. This incident affects transactions at transit agencies in New York, London, Sydney, and other cities. Visa is working on restoring this functionality in 2024. To complete your transaction, use another payment method.

Tip: Non-Visa payment cards are not affected.

Additional resources

Change your default “Tap to pay” card

Important: The RBI has a directive that takes effect from October 1, 2020. Any Indian debit or credit card that's newly issued or has never been used for online ecommerce or contactless payments will be blocked.

Activate contactless payment settings for your card through the issuing bank’s mobile app or internet banking. For more details, contact your bank.

1. On your Android device, open the Google Pay app .
2. Tap your Profile picture Pay with credit or debit cards.
3. Under “Other ways to pay,” find your cards.
4. Click any card.
   • Under any of your added cards, find “Default Tap and pay card”
5. To select a different card as default, click on the card.

Set or change a screen lock

To make contactless payments with Google Pay, use a screen lock on your device for your security.

1. On your Android phone, open Settings .
2. Tap Security.
   • If you don’t find “Security,” you can get help at your phone manufacturer’s support site.

3. Tap Screen lock.

   • If you already set a lock, you should enter your current PIN, pattern, or password before you can choose a different type.

4. Select the screen lock type that you want to use.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tips:

• If you picked a PIN code as your screen lock, enter a minimum of 4 numbers.
• A 6-digit PIN or more is recommended for added security.

Change default screen lock setting for NFC transactions

For added security, set up your phone so that it must be unlocked first to complete an NFC transaction.

To turn on this setting:

1. On your Android phone, go to Settings .
2. Tap Connected devices Connection preferences NFC.
3. Turn on Require device unlock for NFC.

If you can’t find this option, update your phone to the latest Android version.