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 tap to pay with VISA Contactless and Mastercard Contactless on a foldable device, fold your device.
You can use Google Wallet anywhere your e-money card is accepted. For VISA Contactless and MasterCard Contactless, you can use Google Wallet wherever you find the contactless or Google Wallet symbols.
Google Pay symbol |
Contactless symbol |
e-money symbol |
Check your tap to pay set up
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top right, tap your profile picture or Account Tap to pay setup.
- Check if you’re ready to make contactless payments. To tap to pay with Google Wallet:
- Near field communication (NFC) must be turned on.
- To make a tap-to-pay transaction with a card in your Google Wallet, Google Pay should be set as your default payment app.
- Add a contactless payment method.
- Set up a screen lock.
- Your phone must meet the security requirements.
If all these requirements are met, your phone is ready to make contactless payments.
Set up a payment method for contactless transactions
To set up contactless payments, add one or more payment methods to Google Wallet.
If you're in Japan and need to set up an e-money card, go to “Add e-money or a prepaid card to Google Wallet (Japan only).”
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top, tap the card you want to use.
- 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
For e-money, QUICPay, and iD users:
- Go to a contactless reader that accepts e-money cards.
- Find one of these logos: .
- Tell the cashier the type of card that you want to pay with.
- Hold your phone next to the reader.
- You don’t need to unlock it, wake it up, turn it on, or open the app.
- If your payment is successful, the screen will flash and make a sound.
For VISA Contactless and MasterCard Contactless users:
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.
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
- Bring your receipt and item to the store.
- 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:
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top, tap the card you used for the purchase. To find it, you may need to swipe from right to left.
- 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
Still need help?
If you still have issues or any questions, you can ask the community or contact us.