Tap to Pay Apps for Android: A Comprehensive Guide

Tap to pay apps for Android are revolutionizing the way we make transactions, offering a convenient and secure way to pay for goods and services.

Google Pay, a popular tap to pay app, supports over 150 countries worldwide.

To use tap to pay apps on Android, you'll need a compatible device with near-field communication (NFC) technology, such as the Google Pixel series.

Android devices with NFC capabilities can store up to eight different payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards.

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To set up Tap to Pay on Android, you need a compatible Square app. Sign in to your Square Point of Sale app and tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware.

Select Tap to Pay and toggle on Tap to Pay. This will enable Tap to Pay on your device. Note that some phone models may be compatible in one country but not in another.

To prepare your Android device, ensure it's running Android 9 or higher. You can check this by navigating to Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments.

For your interest: Square Terminal Tap Pay

Make sure "Developer options" are turned OFF in your device settings. These steps may vary depending on your specific Android device.

You can disable Tap to Pay at any time in the compatible Square apps by navigating to ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Tap to Pay and toggling OFF Tap to Pay.

Here's a summary of the requirements for Tap to Pay on Android:

To ensure payments are processed securely, never hand your mobile device over to your customer, have them hold out their card or NFC device instead.

Tap to Pay transactions are registered as a Card payment and have the card type and last 4 digits of the card number displayed, so review your Transactions to check if a payment was successfully accepted.

An audible beep and vibration will accompany the screen showing the transaction as Approved, confirming that the payment has been accepted.

You can remove unused payment types by navigating to ≡ More > Settings > Checkout > Payment.

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To add an extra layer of security, enable passcodes on your device, requiring a passcode entry when backing out of the Tap to Pay on Android payment screen.

Here are some key security practices to keep in mind:

If you're having trouble with Tap to Pay on Android, don't worry, it's an easy fix. To troubleshoot, first check if your device has developer options enabled, as this can cause issues with the app.

If you see a "Reader Failed to Connect, Please check your network connection" or "Developer Options Not Supported" error message, it's likely because developer options are enabled. To resolve this, go to your device Settings, then System, and Developer options/mode, and turn OFF Developer options or Developer mode.

You'll also need to force quit the Square app and restart your Android device to complete the troubleshooting process.

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Troubleshooting can be a real pain, but don't worry, I've got some tips to help you out.

If you're getting a "Reader Failed to Connect, Please check your network connection" or "Developer Options Not Supported" error message, it's likely because your Android device has developer options/mode enabled.

You can fix this by disabling the developer options/mode setting.

Go to your device Settings > System > Developer options/mode, or search for "Developer options" or "Developer mode".

Turn OFF Developer options or Developer mode.

Forcing the Square app to quit may help resolve the issue.

Restarting your Android device is usually the final step to get everything working smoothly again.

Here are the steps in a simple list:

If you're having trouble accepting payments on Android, it's probably because your device doesn't support NFC technology.

To fix this issue, make sure your Android device supports NFC technology. This is a crucial step in using Tap to Pay.

If your device doesn't support NFC, you won't be able to receive payments through Tap to Pay.

To create an invoice for your customer, download the Invoice App and follow the prompts to set up a payment method.

If you're having trouble with the app, try restarting your device or checking for updates.

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Samsung Wallet offers a convenient way to make payments on Android devices. It was launched in 2015.

The platform uses NFC and MST technology to enable payments, providing a smooth user experience. It also replaces sensitive card data with unique identifiers through tokenisation.

Samsung Wallet combines the Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass apps into a single hub, making it easier to manage payments, digital IDs, digital keys, and loyalty programs. This rebranding occurred in June 2022 in some countries.

Samsung Wallet was initially launched as Samsung Pay in 2015. It was designed to facilitate mobile payments and digital wallet services.

The platform allows users to make payments using compatible Samsung devices via the Samsung Wallet app. It uses NFC and MST to ensure a smooth user experience.

Samsung Pay was later re-branded to Samsung Wallet in some countries in June 2022. This change combined the Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass apps into a single hub for payments, digital IDs, and loyalty programs.

The app was not renamed in South Korea, where it still functions the same as Samsung Wallet. This suggests that the re-branding was a strategic decision to align with global branding efforts.

Samsung Wallet can coexist with Google Wallet on your device, allowing you to choose the best fit for your needs.

Google Wallet is a digital companion for your Android device that handles tap-to-pay transactions and securely stores essentials like loyalty cards, boarding passes, digital keys, and your driver's license (in supported regions).

You can think of it as an all-in-one app that makes your life easier. Google Wallet is the world's predominant name for the app, and its core functionality has been absorbed into Google Wallet from Google Pay.

Google Wallet has the same features as Google Pay, including the ability to add or remove credit cards in seconds. A digital ID is convenient to have if you can use one.

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If you own a Samsung device, you can also use Samsung Pay, but Google Wallet often has broader merchant acceptance. Both apps can function simultaneously on your device.

Here's a comparison of NFC Payment and eWallet QR Code:

Both technologies are used in parallel, giving an added edge to the contactless functionality of the app and a promise of versatility to the user.

The PayPal app is a popular choice for mobile payments, and for good reason. It's been around since the early days of online payments and has grown to include a wide range of features.

One of the standout features of the PayPal app is its integration with NFC technology, making it a convenient option for in-person payments.

You can use PayPal to handle bills, ticketing, and even international payments. It's also super secure, which is a big plus.

The app is widely accepted around the world, so you can use it just about anywhere. And, it's not just for individual transactions – you can also use it to split bills with friends or family.

Some of the key features of the PayPal app include:

If you're an Android user, you're in luck because Google Pay is a top-rated NFC payment app, accounting for 14.9% of the US mobile wallet market share.

One of the reasons Google Pay stands out is its user-friendly interface, making it easy to use and navigate.

Google Pay offers a range of features, including QR code-enabled payments, peer-to-peer payment, cashback, rewards, and exciting offers.

If you're looking for alternative options, consider the following apps:

Zelle Mobile is a great alternative for making payments. It's one of the fastest and most secure NFC payment apps available.

The app is incredibly easy to use, allowing users to send money with just a tap of their finger. This convenience is thanks to its seamless integration with mobile banking apps.

One of the best features of Zelle Mobile is its ability to work with over 2,100 financial institutions, making payments easier for users. This extensive network also ensures that bank-to-bank transfers are possible.

Here are some key benefits of using Zelle Mobile:

Google Pay is one of the most popular NFC payment apps in the world, with a huge user base thanks to its preloaded status on Android devices.

Its user-friendly interface and seamless payment process make it stand out from the rest. Google Pay is also widely accepted, and its availability on both Android and iOS devices is a major plus.

Some of the key features of Google Pay include QR code-enabled payments, peer-to-peer payment, cashback, rewards, and exciting offers. You can also link your bank account, manage your bank account directly, view your activity dashboard, and access detailed transaction history.

Here are some of the key features of Google Pay:

Similarly, Apple Pay is another top NFC payment app, but we'll get to that later.

Venmo is another popular eWallet app that offers a range of features, including cash advance, investing in cryptocurrency, peer-to-peer payment, bill payment, and split payment.