Suica Card for Android Phones: A Comprehensive Guide

The Suica card for Android phones is a convenient way to travel in Japan. It's a prepaid card that you can use to ride trains and buses.

You can purchase a Suica card at any train station in Japan, including major airports. The initial fee is ¥2,000, which includes ¥1,500 in credit.

To register your Suica card, you'll need to download the Suica app and follow the in-app instructions. This will link your card to your phone and allow you to manage your balance and history.

Suica Card is a type of IC Card issued in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, by JR East.

It's called an IC Card because it has an integrated IC chip that works like a prepaid card - top-up the balance, tap the scanner, and payment is deducted automatically.

Suica can be used for public transportation, shopping at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants.

In Japan, there are many other types of IC Cards issued by different companies in other areas, such as ICOCA, Kitaca, manaca, and SUGOCA.

You can use Suica to travel on buses and trains, and it's very convenient for traveling.

To use Suica on mobile devices, you need to agree to the Terms of Use of Suica on Mobile Devices by tapping "同意する (Agree)" on the pop-up message.

Suica is available on Apple Wallet, along with PASMO and ICOCA, as of August 1, 2023.

Explore further: Icoca Card vs Suica

To set up a Suica card on your Android phone, you'll need to download the official Suica app from the Google Play Store. The app is free to download and can be installed on most Android devices.

Suica cards can be purchased at any JR East train station, and you can also buy them online through the JR East website. It's worth noting that purchasing a Suica card online will not include any initial balance, so you'll need to purchase one separately.

For your interest: Suica Card vs Jr Pass

To add funds to your Suica card, simply tap your card on the reader at any participating store or train station. You can also add funds online through the Suica app.

The Suica app allows you to manage your Suica card balance, check your transaction history, and even send Suica cards to friends and family. This feature is especially useful for tourists who want to share their Suica card with a friend or family member.

Suica cards can be used to pay for train fares, as well as at many participating stores and restaurants throughout Japan. You can also use your Suica card to purchase IC-compatible tickets for buses and subways.

Readers also liked: Cash App Mobile Check Deposit Funds Availability

You can use the Mobile Suica app on Apple devices, specifically the iPhone 8 and up, and Apple Watch Series 3 and later, as well as iPhone 7s purchased in Japan.

Android users can access Mobile Suica via Google Pay, but they must have an "osaifu-keitai" eligible phone, which means a smartphone purchased in Japan.

To use Mobile Suica on an Android phone, you need a "keitai saifu" function, which is not available on most non-Japanese Android phones.

You can download the Mobile Suica app on the Japanese store, but you may need to change your region settings on Google Play.

The app is only available for download on the Japanese store, and you'll need to change your region settings on Google Play to access it.

To register for Mobile Suica, you'll need to provide your email address, name, date of birth, gender, postcode, and mobile phone number.

You'll also need to set up a password and confirm it, then enter your credit card information if you want to register a payment method.

There are two types of Suica cards: "My Suica" (name registered Suica) and "Suica (無記名)" (name unregistered Suica), with different features and support options.

Here's a summary of the supported smartphone models for Mobile Suica:

With Mobile Suica, you can save on the 500 yen deposit that is required when buying a physical card. This is a great advantage, especially for frequent travelers.

You can also save space in your wallet for other cards, and there is less risk of losing your Suica. This is a huge benefit, as it reduces the stress of carrying a physical card.

Since you can charge Mobile Suica anytime anywhere, you don't need to carry cash with you. This is a convenient feature that makes traveling easier.

However, be aware that you can run out of battery mid-journey or not have a mobile network to recharge balance. This is a potential problem, but there are workarounds.

For iPhone users, Apple has introduced a "Power Reserve" feature in iOS 12 that allows the transit card to be used even when the iPhone is out of battery. This is a relief, especially for those who often rely on their iPhone for navigation.

In Japan, IC Cards are a convenient way to travel and pay for everyday expenses. IC Cards have an integrated IC chip and work like a prepaid card, deducting payment automatically when tapped at a scanner.

These cards can be used not only for public transportation, including buses and trains, but also for shopping at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. It's very convenient for traveling.

Suica is one of the most well-known IC Cards, issued in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, by JR East.

Using a Mobile Suica card can save you 500 yen on the deposit required for a physical card, and it also saves space in your wallet for other cards.

You don't need to worry about losing your Suica card, which can be a hassle to replace.

With Mobile Suica, you can charge it anywhere, anytime, eliminating the need to carry cash.

However, there's a risk of running out of battery mid-journey, which can cause problems if you don't have a mobile network to recharge your balance.

If you're an iPhone user, you're in luck - starting from iOS 12, Apple introduced a "Power Reserve" feature that allows the transit card to be used even when your iPhone is out of battery.

If this caught your attention, see: M and T Bank Statements

You can get a virtual Suica card, known as Mobile Suica, which lets you pay for travel by tapping your phone instead of a physical card.

Mobile Suica works without needing to be connected to a network or unlocked, but it does need to be on. If your battery dies while you're on the train, inform the staff at your exit gate and they'll give you a slip with fare details.

You can load the Mobile Suica app and select the Suica balance you want to refund, but be aware that you'll be charged a ¥220 refund fee and it may take two weeks to a month to receive.

To use Mobile Suica, you need to add Suica to your Google Pay profile, and the service is only available to residents in Japan, not tourists.

Related reading: Do I Need a Suica Card in Japan

You can set up a virtual Suica card on your Android phone, and it's a great way to have one less card in your wallet. This is known as Mobile Suica, and it works by tapping your phone to pay for travel.

To get started, you'll need to download the Google Pay app and tap "使ってみる (Try It Out)". Then, select "Suica" and read and confirm the Terms of Use.

You can also register for Mobile Suica with Google Pay if you're an existing user. This means you don't need to download and use the Mobile Suica app separately. To do this, download and open the Google Pay app, tap "使ってみる (Try It Out)", and select "Suica".

It's essential to note that the Mobile Suica only works when your device is on. If your battery dies while you're on the train, inform the staff at your exit gate, and they'll give you a slip with fare details on it.

You can also top up your Mobile Suica with a credit card, but this is only officially supported for credit cards issued in Japan. However, some tourists have successfully topped up their Mobile Suica with a MasterCard or AMEX.

To add Suica to your Google Pay profile, you need to follow the in-app instructions, which include selecting the Suica balance you want to refund and entering your Japanese bank account details.

Recommended read: Bank Details for Payment