Make payments effortless with Tap to Pay.

A person using a smartphone to make a Tap and Pay contactless payment at the checkout counter.

Feel confident when you are on the go with Tap to Pay, only on Android. We have changed how you handle payments to help you avoid daily hassles like struggling to handle cash, unreadable cards, forgotten PINs, or even leaving your wallet at home. But what exactly is Tap to Pay, and how does it work? Let’s dive in and find out.

What is Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay is our quick and easy feature that allows you to make contactless payments with just a tap of your Android phone. It uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for secure and instant transactions, so you can say goodbye to carrying cash or cards.

Whether you are buying your morning coffee or doing your weekly food shopping, Tap to Pay makes your everyday transactions quicker, easier and more secure.

Using contactless payments on their smartphone, a customer uses Tap and Pay to purchase their drink.

How does Tap to Pay work?

When you make payment with Tap to Pay on your Android phone, it uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to transmit a virtual account number to the retailer’s payment terminal. Tap to Pay operates only within a few inches of the terminal, which helps to keep your Google Pay information private, keeping your actual card number confidential.

Here's how you can start tapping and paying with your Android phone:

Unlock your device with your passcode or face ID.
Hold it near the contactless card reader.
Tap and wait for a blue check mark to confirm the payment.

Learn how to pay contactless with your phone.

Four customers enjoy the drinks that they purchased using Tap and Pay on their smartphones.

What are the benefits of using Tap to Pay?

Easy to use – no more digging around for cash or cards, improper card insertion or forgetting your PIN. Just tap your Android phone, and you are done.
Quick and convenient – you can complete payments in seconds – perfect when you are in a hurry.
Private and secure – it features built-in advanced security that detects and blocks threats like spam, malware and viruses, keeping your data protected.
Simple to set up – so anyone can do it.
Widely used – it works at any place that accepts contactless payments. Make sure to check for the contactless symbol on card reader machines before you use Tap to Pay.

Two customers in a restaurant viewing their receipt after purchasing their meal using Tap and Pay.

How to set up Tap to Pay on your Android device?

Two important requisites to get you started on setting up Tap to Pay on your Android device:

Ensure Near Field Communication (NFC) is activated in the Android smartphone. Open Settings. In the “Search settings” bar, type NFC. Ensure NFC is turned on.
Ensure that you enable contactless payments for the linked card. This is the same setting that allows you to tap your credit card on the pos machine.

Infographic displaying instructions to set up Tap to Pay, enabling users to start using NFC and contactless payments.

What are the Tap to Pay spending limits?

Tap to Pay limits can vary depending on your bank or card issuer. Usually, there is a maximum amount for contactless payments, and for bigger purchases, you might need to enter a PIN or use your fingerprint. Check with your bank to know the exact limits for your card payments from your digital wallet.

Customer taking a picture of shirt in a retail store on their smartphone.

Where can you use Tap to Pay?

Google Pay is accepted at millions of locations. When you are on the go, you’ll find contactless readers in most supermarkets, pharmacists, restaurants, multi-brand stores, movie theatres, coffeeshops, petrol pumps, beauty parlours, and other retailers that support mobile payments.