NFC Expert Contactless payment from a smartphone is convenient: just put the phone to the terminal and the money will go to the seller. We reviewed three applications for contactless payment: we figured out their features, how they influenced the market and which one is better to use.
To be near the checkout with a full shopping cart and not find a wallet in your pocket is a nightmare for any of us. And for some, it’s not a dream, but a nightmarish reality, because wallets tend to get lost, and pickpockets are on the alert. However, we have good news for you: it will soon become unnecessary to carry a wallet with you. Today, almost everyone has a smartphone that can be used as a terminal for paying for goods and services, if you become a member of the electronic payment system. Such as Google Pay.
The current version of the page has not yet been reviewed by experienced members and may differ significantly from the version reviewed on December 19, 2021; checks require 47 edits.
Service DescriptionEdit
Google Pay uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to transmit card data to the merchant. It replaces the PIN chip or magnetic strip on credit and debit cards, allowing the user to download that data to the device. The user can add a payment card to the service by taking a photo of the card or entering information about the card manually. To make a payment, you need to bring the payment device to the payment terminal and hold it until the transaction is completed. Such a payment is similar to the ubiquitous contactless payment, but, unlike the latter, requires two-factor authentication to increase the level of security. The service allows an Android device to wirelessly communicate with a vending machine using NFC as an antenna, host card emulation technology, and Android security system.
What is Google Pay
Google Pay is an electronic payment system developed by the corporation of the same name and intended for use on devices running Android: smartphones, tablets and smart watches. Its former name is Android Pay. Today it has been successfully launched in many cities of Russia and Ukraine, and soon, it is to be expected, it will appear in Belarus, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries.
The system is free (no fees), secure, easy to use and requires only 2 device requirements:
- The presence of an NFC module (non-contact short-range communication, which is used in POS terminals).
- Android 4.4 and up (although the latest version of the service app requires Android 5 and up)
What phones does Google Pay support? The brand and model doesn’t matter. Whether you have a brand new Xiaomi MI6 or an unnamed craft of Chinese schoolchildren in a labor lesson, the service will work on both. Of course, if the requirements are met.
Google Pay allows you to pay in stores (online and offline), cafes, ticket offices, taxis and other places where electronic payments are accepted without carrying bank cards and cash. And there are more and more such companies every day.
As for the security of payments and the risk of leakage of confidential data, the first is quite high, and the second is minimal. User information and payment details are encrypted and hardwired on Google’s servers. Only temporary keys (tokens) are stored on the device, which are useless for intruders.
Google payment service turns a smartphone into a convenient wallet for quick payment for goods and services.
What is Google Pay and how does it work
Google Pay – formerly known as Android Pay – is a service that allows you to pay for purchases in stores, on websites and in applications through your smartphone.
Google Pay can be used in any stores and other places where contactless payment terminals are installed. You have probably already seen similar devices at the checkouts and brought bank cards to them to debit funds.
To pay via Google Pay, just bring your smartphone to such a terminal instead of a card. This is more convenient, since the gadget is always at hand and using it is faster than getting the right card or cash from your wallet. Moreover, several cards can be connected to a smartphone. Internet is not required for payment.
Regarding online purchases, sites and applications that accept money through Google Pay display a button with the logo of this service on the payment screen. If you see one, you need to click on it and follow the further prompts on the smartphone display.
This method eliminates the need to enter card data each time and thus significantly speeds up the process.
Which devices and banks support Google Pay
Google Pay is compatible with all smartphones running Android 4.4 and above. In addition, in order for you to pay through terminals, your phone must support NFC wireless data transfer technology.
To check NFC support, look for the corresponding item in the settings. If it is, the smartphone supports NFC. If you do not find such a function on your own, check its availability in the device on the manufacturer’s website.
If you have received superuser rights on your smartphone, that is, root, Google Pay may refuse to work.
The number of banks supporting Google Pay is constantly expanding. On the website of the service, you can see the current lists for Russia, Ukraine and other countries. Next to each bank’s name, you’ll see the types of cards it has—whether debit or credit, Visa or MasterCard—that you can connect to Google Pay.
How to connect and set up Google Pay
- Install the free Google Pay app on your smartphone.
- Open system settings and enable NFC.
- Set up a screen lock with a PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint.
- Launch Google Pay and follow the program’s instructions to connect cards.
How to pay for purchases in stores
- If the amount exceeds 1,000 rubles, unlock the smartphone screen. If not, just turn on the backlight.
- Bring the back of the mobile device to the terminal and wait for further instructions. You don’t need to launch the Google Pay app to do this.
- Follow the prompts on the smartphone screen. Most likely, the application will simply ask you to enter a PIN code from the card.
- If you have connected several cards to the service and want to pay for the purchase using a card that is not listed as the main one in Google Pay, launch the application before purchasing. Open the “Cards” section, select the one you need and bring your smartphone to the terminal.
Is Google Pay safe
Google assures that paying with Google Pay is secure. All financial data is encrypted and stored on secure servers. In addition, when paying, the seller does not even receive your card number: instead, he sees only the virtual account number that is assigned to each card.
Google Pay can only be used when a screen lock is configured. This protects your cards from strangers who do not know your PIN, password or pattern and cannot pass fingerprint verification. If you turn off the blocking function, the application will erase the virtual accounts associated with the cards for security purposes.
If your smartphone is lost or stolen, you can track the device, block or erase all data from it using the Find My Device service.
Is it possible to pay for purchases through smart watches
The service can also be used on smart watches. At the moment, the function works in Australia, Great Britain, Spain, Canada, USA, Poland and Russia. On watches that support Google Pay, the service app is available out of the box.
Setting up and using the service on the watch is almost the same as on a smartphone. Just before paying, you need to manually launch the Google Pay application. The smartphone itself is not needed for payment through the clock.
Google Pay is a well-known contactless payment service. But it is intended only for mobile devices running Android OS. To make it easier for you to understand how to use Google Pay, we have prepared a step-by-step guide. Let’s consider it below.
- Google Pay – what is it
- Google Pay Terms of Service
- How to remove a card from GPay
- Is Google Pay safe
- Is it possible to pay for purchases through smart watches
Google Pay – what is it
Google Pay is a payment system that allows you to pay for goods and services using your smartphone, without using a bank card. You just need to bind it to a mobile device, and then bring the device to the terminal. At the same time, it is not necessary to take a wallet with you, the main thing is that the phone is always charged.
You can pay via Google Pay:
- goods in shops and supermarkets;
- online shopping;
- tickets for all types of transport;
- travel by public transport;
- fuel at filling stations;
- miscellaneous services.
Advantages and disadvantages of GPay
This service has its strengths and weaknesses. The popularity of the service is provided by:
- security;
- convenience;
- accessibility.
In more detail, we are talking about:
- Ability to add multiple payment cards. The system supports credit, debit, as well as bonus corporate, virtual cards and more.
- Installation on any smartphone that meets the requirements of the service, regardless of model.
- Fast payment. It only takes a few seconds to read the data.
- A password is not required if the purchase amount is less than 1000 rubles.
- No need to carry all the cards with you.
- Payment options in online and offline stores.
Among the minuses of the system, one can single out the obligatory presence of an NFC module, a well-charged battery. In addition, not all trading platforms support contactless payment, and sometimes it is impossible to withdraw money from an ATM.
Installation requirements
Before proceeding with the instructions on how to install Google Pay, you must first understand what the requirements of the service for a mobile device are. So, the device must have:
- built-in NFC module;
- the bank that issued the card must support GPay.
If all the requirements are met, then you can proceed to install the application.
Banks and cards that support Google Pay
The number of banking organizations that support Google Pay is constantly increasing. This applies not only to Russian banks, but also to foreign ones. This is:
- Alfa Bank;
- Russian standard;
- Sberbank;
- VTB;
- Opening;
- Raifazen.
This list is not complete. More details are available on the program website. In addition, next to the name, the type of cards that can be connected to GPay is indicated: debit, credit, MIR and others.
- Use the search to get to the Google Pay page.
- Click on Install.
- Accept all terms of the application.
- Please wait until the download is completed.
As a result, the program icon will appear on the display.
Before you start using Google Pay, you need to set up the system. Step-by-step instructions will tell you how to set up Google Pay:
- Go to “Settings” on your smartphone.
- Select Connect and Share.
- Move the slider to the working position in the NFC section.
- Select Google Pay as your default payment method.
If all these points are completed, then you can start adding cards. There may be several, but only one is possible by default.
To add a card, follow these steps:
- Go to GPay.
- Enter “Add card”. To do this, click on the appropriate button.
- In the window that opens, enter the information manually or take a photo of it.
- Enter your full name, address, phone number and other information.
- Click on “Save”.
- Read the terms and accept them.
If everything is done correctly, the card will be added. Users of the SberBank card and the SberBank Online service can also quickly add their “plastic”. For this:
- Log in to Sberbank via your smartphone.
- Find the card you want to add to GPay. Click on it.
- In the window that appears, select “Add to Google Pay”.
- Tap on Connect.
- Accept or decline special offers.
- Agree with the terms of Sberbank.
That’s all it takes to successfully add a card to the system. Details do not need to be entered.
Google Pay Terms of Service
You can use the service wherever it is supported. Algorithm of how to pay Google Pay:
- Unlock your smartphone.
- Bring the reverse side to the terminal.
- Wait for connection.
- Enter your PIN code or confirm the payment with your fingerprint. This is necessary if the purchase amount is more than 1000 rubles.
If the payment is made, a blue check mark will be displayed on the screen. If this did not happen, then:
- Try changing the position of your mobile device. The antenna of the NFC module can be located in its lower or upper part.
- Bring your smartphone closer to the terminal.
- Hold the gadget at the terminal longer than usual.
In the case when the checkmark nevertheless appeared, but the cashier claims that the payment did not go through, then:
- Make sure the store accepts Google Pay.
- Call the bank and find out what’s wrong with your account. Perhaps there is not enough money to buy
In these situations, it is possible to pay in cash, and then solve the problems that have arisen.
To pay for purchases in the online store, you need to click on Google Pay on the site. If necessary, select a payment method and specify the delivery address.
How to remove a card from GPay
In some cases, you may need to remove a map from Google Pay. This can be done remotely or directly via a mobile device. It all depends on the specific situation.
To remove a card from the service:
- Sign in to Google Pay.
- Find the required card.
- Open the menu in the upper right corner.
- Confirm your actions.
After that, the payment instrument will be deleted. At the same time, all transactions on this card will also disappear.
The developers claim that payment via GPay is completely safe. All financial information is encrypted and stored on highly secure servers. In addition, at the time of payment, the cashier or seller does not even have access to the card number. Instead, he can only see the virtual account number that is created for each payment instrument.
Google Pay can only be used if the display lock is set. Thanks to this, the cards are protected from third parties who do not know the PIN code, password or pattern, and will not be able to pass the fingerprint verification. If you disable the blocking option, the application will delete the virtual accounts associated with the cards for security reasons.
If your smartphone is lost or stolen, you can find it or delete all data using the Find my device service.
By using these recommendations, you can protect yourself from scammers. But also do not lose vigilance: add a card to the application with a large balance, use the password with strangers who can remember it.
You can use GPay not only on mobile devices, but also on smart watches. Today, you can take advantage of this opportunity in different countries, including Russia. On watches that support the payment service, the program is already available out of the box. Setup and application are carried out according to the same algorithm as on a smartphone. Just before paying, you need to manually launch Google Pay. A mobile device is not required to pay with a smart watch.
Using Google Pay is easy. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of the developers and install the latest updates in a timely manner.
Installing, configuring and linking a bank card
Account management in Google Pay is carried out through the mobile application of the same name, available for download in the Google Play store (sounds similar, but not the same). Before installation, it is advisable to disable root access on the device (if obtained), as it can make it difficult to use the service and put your funds on linked bank cards at risk. Also, be sure to turn on the screen lock. It protects against theft of money by hidden bringing the reader to the phone.
By default, the application is installed in Russian, so few people have questions about how it works, how to set it up and how to use it. In fact, almost all the setup comes down to linking the map. You don’t need to create a separate account, as you already have one – it’s your Google account associated with the device.
How to link a card:
In addition to banking, the service allows you to link bonus and gift cards to receive discounts in stores.
To view the entire list of your linked cards, tap the “Cards” button at the bottom of the screen.
Now to pay for the purchase, you just need to turn on the screen and bring the device to the cash terminal. If the value of the goods exceeds 1000 rubles or 3 payments in a row were made, you will additionally need to unlock the screen and enter the PIN code of the card.
What other features does the Google Pay app have:
- Informing the user about bonuses (according to discount and gift cards) that can be used nearby. To do this, you must enable geodata transfer.
- Sending letters with notifications about promotions and special offers in stores in your city and online stores.
If you are going to use a smart watch instead of a phone or tablet for payments, then you don’t even have to install the application. On smartwatches equipped with an NFC module, it is preinstalled from the factory. Watches with Android Pay (models of 2018 already with Google Pay) just need to be linked to a bank card.
Do I need the Internet to make payments with Google Pay? Not needed all the time. If there is no access to the server, the data is read from the token, which is stored in the device’s memory. To update tokens, it is enough to connect the gadget to the global network from time to time – after about 6 purchases.
Functionality
Works with new Visa and MasterCard bank cards and loyalty cards – a total of 97 supported payment methods. The number of connected cards is not limited.
Allows you to pay for purchases without the Internet using an NFC chip, but no more than 6 in a row. Payments are available in Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers, as well as in KFC, Azbuka Vkusa, H&M and others applications.
Works with bank cards and loyalty cards, allows you to connect up to 8 cards. The service cooperates with 90 Russian banks.
Allows you to translate to other users, but only to those who also have this application installed. It is possible to pay via Apple Pay in terminals without an Internet connection and in the Safari browser. Payment is also available in the Aeroflot, KinoPoisk, Yandex. Taxi”, Lamoda and others.
Accepts loyalty cards and bank “plastic”, from 80 companies and banks in total. You can link up to 10 cards to the application at the same time.
Due to MST technology, it allows you to pay for purchases without the Internet in unlimited quantities and pay even at old terminals that accept only cards. It also allows you to transfer money to other users of the application and pay for orders on 340,000 sites using Visa Checkout.
SecurityEdit
- Smartphones running Android 5.0 and above
- Android Wear watch
- iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and newer smartphones
- Apple Watch all versions
- iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro – for online shopping
- Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, A3 (2017), A5 (2016/2017), A7 (2016/2017), Note 5, S6 Edge+, S6 Edge and S6
- Samsung Galaxy J and C
- Gear Sport watches, S2 and S3
Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay
Which is better – Samsung Pay or Google Pay, Apple Pay – depends on your needs. Choose an application based on the brand of your smartphone, the cards you use and the settings you need:
- If you buy an iPhone, you will have to use Apple Pay, other applications cannot be installed on Apple devices.
- If you use more than 10–15 cards, choose Google Pay, you won’t be able to link so many payment methods in other applications.
Supported countries
The application can be used in more than 20 countries, including Russia. The list is constantly expanding.
Has the widest geography — works with 46 countries. It can also work in other countries if you link a card from one of the partner banks to the application.
Available in 24 countries including Russia.
How many people use apps
It is known that the application covers 85% of the market – that’s how many smartphones run on Android. According to Google Play, the number of installs of the service for contactless payments exceeded 100 million. And according to a Mediascope survey, in 2018, the majority of Russians used the Google Pay service — 18.7% of respondents installed it.
is the second most popular app according to Mediascope, with 16.5% of respondents having installed it. And the analytical company Loup Ventures prepared a report according to which the app’s audience in 2017 was 127 million active users. In 2018, the number of users grew by 135% and approached the mark of 383 million people.
— the third most popular solution, according to Mediascope; it is used by 12.3% of surveyed users. And according to a company statement published in March 2018, the number of active users of the application worldwide was 10 million people. Now the number of downloads of the service on Google Play has exceeded 100 million
How to pay with an Android smartphone without Google Pay
Let’s talk about Mir Pay, SberPay and Samsung Pay, which work great with Russian cards.
If with the stoppage of Google Pay in Russia you have lost the opportunity to pay contactless with a smartphone with familiar cards, then it is not necessary to switch to plastic. On Android, there are alternative ways to NFC tap-to-pay. Here are the three main ones.
MirPay
The easiest way to save NFC payment with your smartphone is to get a Mir card and install Mir Pay.
You don’t need to issue a card in plastic – just issue a virtual one in your bank’s application. This is done in just a minute.
To use the new virtual card to pay with your smartphone, install the Mir Pay application and add it there.
Next, you will need to select Mir Pay as the main payment service – this is done in the smartphone settings in the “Contactless payments” section.
After that, your electronic card will be displayed on the main page of the application with the signature “For payment by default”. You can pay wherever Mir is supported.
SberPay
This method, as the name implies, is intended for Sberbank clients. Its slight advantage over the previous solution is that it works directly through the mobile banking application, that is, SberBank Online.
Application not found
In the application, you will also need the Mir card, which can be issued electronically. To do this, click on the “+” above your account (“Wallet”) and select the desired card option. Next – “Digital SberCard” and the payment system “Mir”.
The card can be linked to a new account. At the checkout confirmation stage, you should disable paid notifications if you do not need extra spending.
To use the new card as a means of payment for NFC payment, click on your profile icon in SberBank Online, select settings (gear) and “Pay by SberPay phone”. Add your “World” there.
If successful, your number will receive a notification from 900, and your smartphone will offer to update the main payment application – do this if you plan to constantly use SberPay.
Despite reports of leaving the Russian market, Samsung Pay also continues to work with Mir cards. The service works only on Samsung smartphones. The list of compatible devices includes dozens of models.
The app itself can be downloaded from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.
You also need to add your bank’s Mir card to Samsung Pay, accept the terms of use, and confirm your decision. Then it remains to select the service as the default payment instrument and you can pay.
How did you solve the problem with Google Pay? Switched to plastic or use another service? Write in the comments.
HistoryEdit
Google Pay Global Availability Available in 42 countries
Google Pay is available in 42 countries around the world.
Supported payment systems
- Visa/Visa Debit
- MasterCard/Debit MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover Card
- Diners Club
- Visa Electron
- JCB
- Maestro
- PayPal in USA, Germany
- EFTPOS in Australia
- Interac in Canada
How contactless payment has affected the market
Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay are applications for contactless payment for goods and services in stores equipped with bank terminals. Google Pay, formerly known as Android Pay, is suitable for smartphones running the Android operating system. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay for iOS devices and Samsung smartphones, respectively.
The advent of these apps has had a major impact on retail. According to the head of MasterCard, back in 2016, 58% of respondents preferred to pay for purchases using a smartphone. In 2017, sales of smartphones that support contactless payments increased sharply: by 60% compared to 2016, Vedomosti reported. In 2018, banks reported that at least a quarter of Russians use contactless technology:
- Sberbank said that in April 2018, the share of payments from smartphones was 23%.
- Over the past year, payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Garmin Pay systems with YuMoney cards have increased by 2.5 times. At the same time, the turnover increased by 3.1 times.
The share of contactless payments from smartphones is constantly growing. Thus, in the total volume of contactless payments via YuMoney, the share of payments made by smartphones increased from 29% to 39%, while turnover accounts for 48% – this figure increased by 1.5 times over the year. And the average check in 2018 ranged from 500 ₽ to 1300 ₽.
Such applications are more convenient than cash: no need to carry a card with you, dig into your wallet, add change, count whether it was given correctly – everything is in your smartphone. Contactless payment is changing retail:
- Increases the amount of payments – when a person pays from the phone and sees only the numbers on the screen, it is psychologically easier for him to part with money compared to paying in cash.
- Reduces queues – just touch the phone to the terminal to pay. Other methods take longer: when paying with a card, you need to enter a pin code, when paying in cash, you need to transfer money to the cashier and take the change.
Samsung Pay or Google Pay – which is better?
Perhaps you, as the owner of an Android gadget, have already used a similar system from Samsung. And you have questions: which is better, Samsung Pay or Google Pay, and is it worth switching from one to another?
The choice of payment system is dictated by personal taste, but there are factors that play a more significant role. For example:
- Samsung Pay works only on some devices of the same manufacturer, Google Pay – on any that meet the above requirements.
- Samsung Pay appeared earlier and is available somewhat more widely. An analogue from Google in some localities is still at the implementation stage.
- Google Pay only works with contactless POS terminals, which are not available everywhere. Samsung Pay works with both contactless and contact.
- In Google Pay, payments up to 1000 rubles are made by simply bringing the device to the terminal. Samsung Pay requires you to enter your password or scan your fingerprint every time you make a transaction. This is not always convenient, but it is more reliable and safe.
- The Google Pay app is more intuitive and easier to set up, which is important for older people.
In a word, both have pluses and minuses. And what is best for you is up to you, of course. Connect and compare.
LinksEdit
Unfortunately, the service only works with Visa and Mastercard international payment systems. With Mir cards, which are actively imposed on Russian users, and Maestro Google Pay does not work.
To see the full list of supported cards and the banks that issue them, tap the “Hamburger” button to open the side menu and select “Member Banks”.
The list is quite large, so the application does not fit it – it opens in the browser. Among the participating banks there are Sberbank (by the way, the service is integrated into the Sberbank mobile application), Alfa-Bank, VTB24, Russian Standard, Otkritie, Binbank, Tinkoff and many others.
Appearance
Lists of recent transactions and available cards are visible on the main page. The latter are displayed only on the front side. You can’t see the back, but all the content on them can be seen by scrolling. For example, useful links and store hours can be seen in the description of loyalty cards. The central image can be animated:
The lists of transactions and available cards are also visible on the main page. Double-sided cards:
- Company logo, image, percentage of discounts, balance, special offers placed on the front
- Back – phone numbers, links and email
In the card settings, you can completely change its color – for example, to customize the interface to your liking or quickly select a payment method without reading the names.
Nothing unusual: on the main page there are lists of available payment options and recent transactions. If you click on the desired loyalty card, you will get all the information about it: number, expiration date, store hours, links to its website.
Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay
In general, the applications are similar. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay allow you to link multiple bank cards and loyalty cards to use them for payments. All three are secure – they transmit data using a secure protocol. They support payment not only through the terminal, but also in online stores and through the terminal without an Internet connection. You just need to bring a smartphone with any application to the terminal, and if the amount exceeds 1000 ₽, confirm the purchase with a fingerprint, PIN code, pattern or face scan.
But there are also differences. For example, Apple Pay and Google Pay work using NFC technology – they can pay for purchases at terminals that support contactless payment. And Samsung Pay additionally supports MST technology, imitating the magnetic strip of conventional bank cards – this application is suitable for paying for purchases at any terminals. The phone, as it were, broadcasts the created magnetic strip 7–8 centimeters around. In addition, Samsung smartphones can install the Google Pay app, not just Samsung Pay. Read about the rest of the differences below.