NFC Expert System requirements
The first thing to do is find out what devices Android Pay works on. The requirements that Google makes are not too high. Your phone must have an NFC chip installed (to make payments) and Android version 4.4 (to install the Android Pay application). Everything seems simple, but in fact there are a number of restrictions that can interfere with enabling Android Pay:
- Firstly, the service works only on those gadgets that operate under the official firmware (versions for developers and less popular assemblies are not supported).
- Secondly, there is a list of smartphones that cannot enable Android Pay. These are Nexus 7, Elephone P9000, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Light and S3.
As for the terminals, everything is quite simple. Any terminal that supports PayPass or PayWave technology is suitable for payment. Such terminals are installed in almost any, not even the most prestigious store or point of sale.
Which banks support this technology?
Complete list of banks and payment systems that support Android Pay. At the time of this writing, these are 14 banks, and 1 payment system.
- Sberbank
- Yandex. Money
- VTB 24
- Binbank
- Promsvyazbank
- Opening
- Russian Agricultural Bank
- Dot
- AK Bars
- Alfa Bank
- MTS Bank
- Raiffeisenbank
- Tinkoff Bank
- Rocketbank
- Russian standard
How does Android Pay work?
Just like in the case of other payment systems, Android Pay started with only a part of the banks operating in Russia. Fortunately, among them are all the most popular institutions that are in great demand: Raiffeisen Bank, Russian Standard, Rocketbank, Otkritie, Sberbank, Tinkoff, a number of other less well-known organizations and the payment service from Yandex “.
When working with terminals and paying for purchases in the amount of 1,000 rubles or less, it is enough to turn on the display of the gadget and attach it to the terminal. In the case of larger amounts, you will need to enter a password or put your finger on the fingerprint sensor. You can also use your smartwatch to pay.
Android Pay works both in physical outlets and online. Many do not go to stores at all and make purchases on websites or in applications, so Google is concerned about introducing technology there too. For Android Pay to work on the site, the technology must be supported by the owner of the resource.
The buyer needs to find a button with a green robot and the inscription Pay and click on it. Immediately after that, it will be redirected to the application itself, where, just as in the case of payment in real life, you will need to remove the lock and confirm the operation. That’s all, the site or application will instantly understand that the order has been paid and place it.
How to connect?
We figured out which phones Android Pay works on, now you need to connect this service. If you have already paid for any of the Google services and linked your bank card to your Google account, then by installing the Android Pay application, you will immediately find them in the list. If there are no linked cards, then you will have to enter all the details yourself. You can use the built-in credit card scanner, but it often misses the number (it’s not clear why Google could not bring the technology to mind).
Before you add a card, do not forget to set a password on your device, otherwise Android Pay will respond with an error and prohibit anything from paying. After adding the card, you will need to confirm it. You can confirm the card using an SMS code or by calling the bank’s technical support service and verifying that you are connecting your card to a mobile payment system. For confirmation, they will take 30 rubles from you, but after a while they will return it.
Security of payments
Your card details are stored on Google servers and securely encrypted on them. For payment, not your real details are used, but specially formed sets of numbers – tokens. This does not mean that you need a constant connection to the servers to work. No, tokens are generated on servers but then uploaded to each individual device and stored there until any payment is made.
For each purchase, you will need to enter a password, keycode or put your finger on the fingerprint scanner (it all depends on which security method is used on your phone). If any of the blocking methods is disabled, then all data relating to your bank cards will be destroyed. If the gadget was lost or stolen, then you can remotely erase information about linked cards. In general, there is no need to worry about security.
Unlike its competitor Apple Pay, Google’s service is not built into the operating system by default and has its own API, which increases the security of the technology.
In addition, during the purchase, the seller does not receive information about the details of your bank card. In addition, NFC technology works at short distances (up to 10 cm), using radio frequencies, which minimizes the risk of intercepting any information, unlike WI-FI or Bluetooth.
Is it safe to use Android Pay?
During the payment process, the program creates a complex one-time code that does not contain card data, therefore, by intercepting this information, an attacker will not be able to use it.
Also of interest to many is the question – can Android Pay work without the Internet? It can, but not for long. The fact is that information about transactions is stored in the Google cloud, in encrypted form. Accordingly, without connecting to the network, Android must use tokens from the phone’s memory. And this, approximately, is a few transactions. As a result, you can pay for purchases several times without connecting, but then the application will request access to the network.
Android Pay – how to use
In principle, the answer to the question of how to set up Android Pay is not difficult. To set up a smartphone, a CVV code is entered, and the program will extract all other payment card data from your Google account, of course, if you added it earlier, for example, for purchases on Google Play. Adding card details for the first time is easy. After opening the program, enter the card number, owner’s name and CVC code, or scan the card with the camera.
The process of using the application is very easy: you just need to bring the phone to the terminal and enter the pin code (for purchases up to 1,000 rubles, you do not need to enter, the code will not be requested).
If a payment is made in the online store, you need to click on the corresponding icon (it will be highlighted there), and you will be transferred to the application to make the payment.
If there are several cards, then before paying you need to choose the right one. Otherwise, funds will be debited from the card that is set by default.
Possible problems
I.e. if there is such an icon on the terminal or in the online store, then payment is possible.
The most popular question floating around the web after the launch of the payment system is “why does Android Pay not work on Xiaomi”. The problem really exists, and all owners of Chinese gadgets have faced it. Yes, Android Pay does not work on Meizu either. The reason lies in the international firmware that users put in order to translate the interface language into Russian.
Another problem that users face is the return of goods. The fact is that the token that hides your details will be saved for only one terminal, and in order to make a return, you will have to look for exactly that terminal.
To make purchases on the site or in the application using Android Pay, the retailer must place a special button. Of course, information for developers on this part, as well as on the entire service, is in the public domain.
At the same time, the data is protected in the same way as when paying at the terminal, so there is still no need to worry about information leakage.
Of course, the device must meet the requirements, and the user must be registered in the Android Pay system for a successful payment.
Promotions and discounts
The launch of each payment system is accompanied by discounts and promotions that are designed to popularize the service among the masses and make people try it at least once. Of the well-known promotions today, it is worth highlighting a 50% discount on travel in the Moscow metro. 50% discount on the Aeroexpress ticket and the same discount on the purchase of any burger in the Burger King fast food chain.
Pros and cons
Convenience. Plastic cards can now be left at home, they will not take up space in the wallet. And most people have devices that work on the Android system. In addition, the phone can “keep” several cards at the same time.
Speed. Slightly, but using a phone, payment will be made somewhat faster than using a plastic card. No need to waste time to insert the card and dial the code. It is enough to bring the phone to the payment terminal (up to 1,000 rubles – without entering a pin code).
Security. As mentioned earlier, Google guarantees that your data will be protected. And the payment scheme itself is implemented reliably.
Phone. If you lose your device, you need to take the time to use the application (for this, it is now better to put a password on the phone). In the event that these were plastic cards, the theft of funds would have occurred faster.
Cons
Charging. If you do not pay, and the battery “sits down” before you pay, the only alternative will still be cards. And if they are not there, then it will not work to pay for purchases, respectively. In other words, you are dependent on the phone as a device.
Prevalence. Because the technology is new for Russia, then it is not implemented everywhere. Some stores will not be able to accept payments from Android Pay. But nevertheless, such a problem is gradually being eliminated, and the number of outlets supporting the new type of payment is steadily growing.
Cash. In order to withdraw money, you need to carry a card with you. Not all ATMs are equipped to read payments from Android Pay. The problem is temporary. I think that soon such an opportunity will be available in all ATMs.
How to enable Android Pay on a jailbroken phone?
Owners of some devices with an unstable or hacked version of the operating system have encountered a number of problems when entering bank card details. The fact is that Google (for security reasons) prohibits the use of financial applications in any Android systems other than the original one.
The problem can be solved by cheating the Android Pay program. To do this, you need to hide from her information about hacking the system. So, first you need the Magisk Manager utility, which will allow you to install and update the Magisk program. After opening the Magisk program, find the item Magisk Hide in it and activate it.
Reboot the gadget and turn on Magisk Manager again. A list of programs from which you can hide the fact of hacking will appear. Find Android Pay and turn it off. Once you do this, restart your device and try using the payment system again. Just in case, check if Android Pay works with your phone (maybe Magisk won’t help).
Instead of conclusion
Some users complained about some roughness in the operation of Android Pay, I personally tend to attribute them to specific equipment and smartphones, since in my case there were no problems, the payment went through instantly.
The real problem is the location of the equipment at some points. For example, KFC in Prince Plaza keep all the terminals near the cashiers and you have to reach for them in order to still make a payment by cellular, and Victoria does not display an offer to pay in a contactless way at all, although it actually works.
Users can only hope that this is not the last loyalty program, and that banks and stores will be willing to cooperate with Google. This will not only greatly simplify the life of buyers with Android smartphones, but also spur healthy competition in the market, thereby developing the economic situation as a whole.
So, what do we have? Another payment system that was launched too late or a really worthy product that people will like? Rather, the second, because with its army of Google fans it can compete on an equal footing with Apple and Samsung without any problems (given the fact that Android Pay works both on Google devices and on Samsung devices).
And the people themselves are ready for a new step in this direction. Bank cards are convenient, but the younger generation is much more likely to hold a smartphone in their hands, which means they will be more willing to pay with it. Discounts also played an important role, perhaps promotions will be repeated, and the interest of users will be actively fueled for a long time to come.
Pluses of the service:
- A huge number of devices that work with Android Pay.
- Different payment protection options.
- Discounts and promotions.
Cons of the service:
- Does not work on jailbroken devices.
- Tokens for payment are stored only on Google servers.