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.

If your mobile device is compatible:

1. Ensure contactless setting is enabled in the card issuing bank’s application. 
2. On your mobile device, go to “Settings.”
3. If NFC isn’t already turned on your device, make sure to turn it on.
4. Before tapping to pay, ensure that your phone must be unlocked.
5. Once your phone is unlocked, tap your phone onto the terminal.
   • If you have multiple cards added to your account, your first added card will be used by default for “Tap & Pay.”
   • If you want to change your default card on your mobile device, you can do so through mobile device settings, and not Google Pay settings.
6. You can pay at any store that has a “Tap & Pay” activated terminal.
   • To find a terminal:
     • Check for a terminal with the contactless symbol .
     • Ask at the store.

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.

Related resources

• Fix issues with “Tap to pay” transactions done via cards