Set up screen lock for tap to pay transactions

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

You can unlock Google Wallet with several methods:

• PIN
• Pattern
• Password
• Fingerprint
• Iris scan
• 3D face unlock

Tip: Google Wallet doesn't work with 2D face unlock or screen locks like Smart Unlock or Knock to Unlock.

Set or change a screen lock

1. Open your phone Settings app.
2. Tap Security.
   • If you don’t find “Security,” you can get help at your phone manufacturer support site.
3. Tap Screen lock.
   • If you already set a lock, you must enter your PIN, pattern, or password before you can choose a different one.
4. Tap the option you’d like to use. Follow the on-screen instructions.

No unlock needed for smaller payments

Important: For tap to pay transactions under a certain amount, you may not need to unlock your phone. For regional requirements, go to the table below.

You can only make a limited number of locked transactions before your phone asks you to unlock it. You must also complete the transaction within a few minutes after you unlock it.

Tip: For added security, set up your phone so that it must be unlocked to complete a near field communication (NFC) transaction.

To turn on this setting:

1. 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, you may need to update your phone to the latest version of Android.

Payment limits on a locked device

Country or region	Amount
Armenia	AMD 25,000 for Visa AMD 20,000 for Mastercard
Australia	$100 AUD
Austria	€50 EUR
Azerbaijan	AZN 100
Belgium	€25 EUR
Brazil	Unlock is required for all transactions except for transit.
Bulgaria	100 BGN
Canada	$100 CAD
Cayman Islands	USD 75
Chile	$12,000 CLP for credit
Costa Rica	30,000 CRC for Visa 30,000 CRC for Mastercard
Croatia	350 HRK
Cyprus	EUR 50
Czech Republic	500 CZK
Denmark	350 DDK
Ecuador	Unlock is required for all transactions except for transit.
Estonia	€50 EUR
Finland	€25 EUR
France	€30 EUR
Georgia	GEL 160
Germany	€50 EUR
Greece	€50 EUR
Hong Kong	1000 HKD
Hungary	15,000 HUF
Iceland	ISK 7500
Ireland	€50 EUR
Israel	₪300 ILS
Italy	€25 EUR
Japan (VISA Touch)	¥10,000 JPY
Kazakhstan	₸25000 KZT
Kyrgyzstan	KGS 4,000
Kuwait	KWD 25 for Visa KWD 25 for Mastercard
Latvia	€50 EUR
Liechtenstein	CHF 50 for Visa CHF 80 for Mastercard
Lithuania	€50 EUR
Luxembourg	EUR 50
Malaysia	MYR 250
Malta	EUR 50
Mexico	Unlock is required for all transactions except for transit.
Moldova	MDL 1000
Netherlands	€50 EUR
New Zealand	$80 NZD
Norway	200 NOK
Poland	100 PLN
Portugal	€50 EUR
Qatar	QAR 300
Romania	200 RON
Russia	₽1000 RUB
Serbia	RSD 5000
Singapore	S$200 SGD
Slovakia	€20 EUR
Slovenia	EUR 50
South Africa	ZAR 700
Spain	€50 EUR
Sweden	400 SEK
Switzerland	80 CHF
Thailand	THB 1,500
Ukraine	₴500 UAH for Mastercard ₴1500 UAH for Visa
United Arab Emirates	300 AED
United Kingdom	£45 GBP*
United States	Unlock is required for all transactions except for transit.
Vietnam	VND 1,000,000

 

*The United Kingdom limit may vary for specific issuers. Learn about United Kingdom supported payment methods.

Tip: Contactless payments with locked devices are accepted at merchant terminals. If you can’t pay with your locked device, try again with it unlocked. For amounts above your country or region’s contactless limit, you can still use Google Wallet. Unlock your phone and tap on the terminal. Your bank may also have a limit on tap to pay transaction amounts.

Still need help?

If you still have issues or any questions, you can ask the community or contact us.