You can use your phone to pay for goods or services with Google Wallet.
Where you can use Google Wallet
Important: To make contactless payments, Near Field Communication (NFC) must be on. To turn on NFC, check your phone settings app.
To pay contactless on Pixel Fold or another foldable device, fold your device.
You can pay with Google Wallet wherever you find the contactless or Google Pay symbols. They're located on the payment terminal screen or cash register at checkout.
You can buy items with your phone or pay for public transport on trains and buses on contactless terminals with either of these logos:
Google Pay symbol |
Contactless symbol |
Check your contactless payment setup
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top right, tap your profile picture or account Payment setup.
- Check if you're ready to make contactless payments. To tap to pay with Google Wallet:
- Near Field Communication (NFC) must be turned on.
- To make a pay contactless transaction with a card in your Google Wallet, Google Pay should be set as your default payment app. Set Google Pay as your default payment app.
- Add a contactless payment method.
- Set up a screen lock.
- Your phone must meet the security requirements.
If all these requirements are met, your phone is ready to make contactless payments.
Set up a payment method for contactless transactions
To set up contactless payments, add one or more payment methods to Google Wallet.
For users in Taiwan that use a Xiaomi 14T Pro device, to set up iPASS card, go to Add iPASS card to the Google Wallet app (Taiwan only)
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top, tap the card that you want to use. You may need to swipe to find it.
- Check the message above your card:
- If there's no message, your card is ready to tap and pay.
- 'Card not set up' . To make contactless payments, above your card tap Finish setup. Follow the on-screen instructions and verify your payment method.
- 'Turn on NFC to pay with Wallet' . Your phone either doesn't support NFC or has it turned off. You must have NFC turned on to make contactless payments.
- 'Card suspended' . There's an issue with your card. To fix it, contact your bank.
Pay in a shop
Step 1: Wake up and unlock your phone
Important: For users with a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, Face Unlock is currently not supported for contactless transactions.
Turn on your screen, then unlock your phone. You don't need to open the Google Wallet app.
Tip: In most countries or regions, smaller transactions don't require you to unlock your phone.
Step 2: Hold the back of your phone to the payment reader
When you're done paying, a blue tick will appear on the screen.
If the tick isn't 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 tick but the cashier says that the payment didn't work:
- Double-check if the shop accepts mobile payments.
- Contact your bank. There may be an issue with your card and your bank may have declined the transaction. If the transaction is declined, you aren't charged.
Step 3: If prompted, follow the on-screen instructions
Some shops 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 that you use to unlock your device.
- Credit cards: For larger transactions, sign the receipt or the on-screen signature box.
Use a different payment method
To pay with a different card, you can change your default payment method.
Return something that you bought in a shop
- Bring your receipt and item to the shop.
- If asked to swipe your card, hold the back of your phone to the contactless payment terminal.
For some returns, you might have to provide the last four digits of your virtual account number:
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top, tap the card that you used for the purchase. To find it, you may need to swipe from right to left.
- Tap Details Virtual account number.
The retailer should tell you when to expect your refund.
Related resources
- Fix problems with contactless transactions
- Find supported payment methods for contactless payments
- Find activity for your cards
Still need help?
If you still have issues or any questions, you can ask the community or contact us.