Tap to pay with your phone (2024)

You can use your phone to pay for goods or services with Google Wallet.

Where you can use Google Wallet

Important:

• Near field communication (NFC) must be turned on to make contactless payments. To turn on NFC, check your phone settings app.

To use tap to pay on Pixel Fold oranother 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 transit on trains and buses on contactless terminals with either of these logos:

Check your tap to pay set up

Set up tap to pay

Set up a payment method for contactless transactions

To set up contactless payments, add one or more payment methods to Google Wallet.

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. At the top, tap the card you want to use. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. 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.
   • “Contactless disabled” . 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 store

Step 1: Wake up & unlock your phone

Important: For users with a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, Face Unlock is currently not supported for tap to pay 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 check mark appears on the screen.

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

• Double check that the store 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.

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.

Use a different payment method

To pay with a different card, you can change your default payment method.

Return something you bought in a store

1. Bring your receipt and item to the store.
2. 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 4 digits of your virtual account number:

1. Open the Google Wallet app.
2. At the top, tap the card you used for the purchase. To find it, you may need to swipe from right to left.
3. Tap Details Virtual account number.

The retailer should tell you when to expect your refund.

Related resources

• Fix problems with tap to pay transactions
• Find supported payment methods for contactless payments
• Find activity for your cards