Do Androids Have Tap to Pay and Which Devices Support It?

Android devices have made tap-to-pay a convenient reality, with many models supporting this feature. Google Pay and Samsung Pay are two popular options that allow users to make contactless payments.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example, comes with a built-in tap-to-pay feature, making it easy to pay for purchases on the go. This device supports both Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Many Android devices, including the Google Pixel 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, have a built-in NFC chip that enables tap-to-pay functionality. This chip allows users to make secure payments without the need for a physical card.

Explore further: Samsung Wallet vs Google Wallet

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay have undergone several changes over the years, making it hard to keep track of their evolution.

One of the key milestones in the history of tap to pay is the introduction of Google Wallet in 2011. It was initially available on the Nexus S smartphone.

A different take: How to Use Google Tap to Pay

Samsung Pay was launched in 2015, initially only available on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5. It allowed users to make payments using Near Field Communication (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technologies.

The terminology surrounding these services has been constantly shifting, making it confusing for users to understand what each service offers.

Google Wallet is the world's predominant name for the app, and it's been around since 2011. It was initially launched as Google Wallet, then merged with Android Pay in 2018, and finally renamed back to Google Wallet in 2022.

Google Wallet has a long history of evolution, with the app being merged with Android Pay and then renamed back to its original name. Today, Google Wallet is the all-in-one digital companion for your Android device.

The app handles tap-to-pay transactions, which is similar to what Google Pay used to do. Google Pay is actually set to shut down in 2024, and its core functionality has been absorbed into Google Wallet.

Discover more: Google Pay

You can think of Google Wallet as a secure digital storage for essentials like loyalty cards, boarding passes, digital keys, and your driver's license (in supported regions). Add or remove credit cards in seconds, making it easy to manage your digital wallet.

Google Wallet often has broader merchant acceptance than Samsung Pay, but both apps can function simultaneously on your device. If you decide Wallet is the better fit for your needs, it's easy to deactivate Samsung Wallet (and Pay) on your Galaxy phone.

To set up Tap to Pay on Android, you can learn more about getting started with it. This feature enables Venmo business profile owners to accept in-person, contactless payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets.

If you own a Samsung phone, you can install any payment service, including Samsung Pay, but you'll need to use Google Wallet on other Android devices or iOS. This is because Samsung Pay is locked to Galaxy phones only.

To use Tap to Pay on Android, you'll need to accept in-person, contactless payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets.

Worth a look: In Person Tap to Pay for Android

Setting up and integrating various payment services can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down.

Samsung Pay is exclusive to Galaxy phones, so if you have one of those, you're all set. Google Wallet, on the other hand, is not available for iPhones.

To use Samsung Pay, you need a Samsung phone, which makes it a great option for those already invested in the Samsung ecosystem. For others, Google Wallet is a more inclusive choice.

Here's a quick rundown of the devices each service supports:

This difference in device support is a key factor to consider when choosing between these two payment services.

You can use Tap to Pay on Android if you have a device with an operating system of Android Oreo or later.

If you're unsure about your device's operating system, you can check the settings to see if it meets the requirements.

Tap to Pay on Android requires a specific operating system, so make sure your device is compatible before setting it up.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay support NFC technology, which is used for Tap to Pay on Android, but not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals.

Samsung phones previously had MST technology, but the latest Galaxy S24 series lacks it, so you can't use that feature.

Fortunately, many retailers have both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay as accepted payment gateways, making it easy to use Tap to Pay on Android.

Androids can tap to pay in many countries, but the availability varies. Samsung Pay is available in over 24 countries.

Google Wallet is a more widely available option, supported in over 80 countries. This is a significant difference in reach between the two services.

Most banks in the US are supported by both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay. However, there are still some smaller local networks and credit unions that are not listed.

You can use your phone number for logins with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay, which is a convenient feature.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay support NFC technology, allowing you to make physical payments by tapping your NFC-supported Android phone on a compatible card reader.

Not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals, so this isn't always an option. Samsung phones previously had a technology called MST to push the magnetic stripe data from your card to non-NFC terminals, but it's no longer available in the latest Galaxy S24 series.

Google Wallet is the most commonly accepted platform for online payments, and many retailers have both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay as accepted payment gateways.

You can use Tap to Pay on Android to accept in-person, contactless payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets, right on your phone – no extra terminals or hardware needed.

If you own a Samsung device, you can use Samsung Pay, but Google Wallet often has broader merchant acceptance.

If you decide to use Google Wallet, you can still use Samsung Pay on your device, and both apps can function simultaneously.

You can easily deactivate Samsung Wallet (and Pay) on your Galaxy phone if you decide Google Wallet is the better fit for your needs.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay can coexist on your device, giving you the flexibility to use the one that suits your spending patterns best.

IBA Group has expanded its presence to Eastern Europe and Asia, specifically in Poland, Russia, and China. IBA Group's global expansion is a testament to the growing demand for technology solutions in these regions.

IBA Group's new office in Poland is a key location for the company's expansion into Eastern Europe. The office is strategically located in the heart of Warsaw, Poland's capital city.

IBA Group's expansion into Russia is a significant milestone for the company. Russia is a vast and growing market for technology solutions, and IBA Group is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

In Asia, IBA Group has established a strong presence in China. The company's office in Shanghai is a hub for its Asian operations, and it serves as a key location for IBA Group's expansion into the region.

Suggestion: Do You Have to Pay for Microsoft Office

Tap to Pay on Android enables Venmo business profile owners to accept in-person, contactless payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets, right on their phone – no extra terminals or hardware needed.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay support NFC technology, allowing you to make physical payments by tapping your NFC-supported Android phone on a compatible card reader. Not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals, so this isn't always an option.

Google Wallet is the most commonly accepted platform for online payments, and many retailers have both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay as accepted payment gateways.

NFC payments are a secure choice, especially when your phone is protected with a code or biometric unlock method. This adds an extra authentication layer.

Your actual credit card number isn't stored on your phone with NFC payments. A virtual card number is assigned to you, making your real card number harder to compromise at the point-of-sale level.

Suggestion: Tap and Pay Nfc

Both NFC payments and physical credit cards offer remote device wiping in case of loss or theft. This gives you an added layer of protection.

Samsung Pay has a data security edge over Google Wallet due to its integration with Samsung Knox. This defense-grade security platform is built into many Samsung devices.

Tap to Pay on Android is a contactless payment option that allows business owners to accept payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets.

Tap to Pay is a feature that lets you accept in-person payments from customers with compatible debit or credit cards or digital wallets, right on your phone – no extra terminals or hardware needed.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay are two popular platforms that support NFC technology, allowing you to make physical payments by tapping your NFC-supported Android phone on a compatible card reader. However, not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals.

The latest Samsung Galaxy S24 series lacks the feature of MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) to push the magnetic stripe data from your card to non-NFC terminals. This means you can't use Samsung phones with MST to make payments at non-NFC terminals.

Google Wallet is the most commonly accepted platform for online payments, and many retailers have it as an accepted payment gateway.

You can set up Tap to Pay on Android for your business profile, but the exact process is not explained in the article sections provided.

Google Wallet is more convenient than Apple Pay, but less secure, as it doesn't require authentication for small transactions. However, Google Wallet transactions of all sizes are authenticated if you've recently used a verification method, like your fingerprint or PIN.

NFC payments are highly secure, especially when your phone is protected with a code or biometric unlock method. Your actual credit card number isn't stored on your phone with NFC payments, and a virtual card number is assigned to you instead.

Samsung Pay might have a data security edge over Google Wallet due to its integration with Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform built into many Samsung devices.

Take a look at this: Digital Wallet Data Cloud