To make your debit card contactless, check for the Wi-Fi-style symbol on the card; if missing, request a new one from your bank. Activate a new card via ATM or first-time purchase. Alternatively, add your card to a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Wallet) to use your phone for contactless payments.
The first time you use your contactless card, you'll need to use chip and PIN or sign for your purchase. Once you've done that, all future transactions can be contactless. Hold your card close to the reader - around two to four centimetres - for it to work.
If contactless payments are declined, first check the card's NFC chip and ensure it is undamaged. Verify sufficient funds and card activation status with your bank. Clean the card and terminal reader to remove dirt or debris. Restart the payment terminal to reset its NFC reader.
Set up tap to pay
How do I know if my card or device can make contactless payments? You'll see the Contactless Indicator on your card.
Just use chip and pin once - then you can go contactless. All other debit and credit cards will need to be activated before use.
You've probably used it without thinking – the quick “tap, beep, done” way to pay. Contactless means you don't need to faff with chip & PIN or cash; your card, phone or smart watch has a tiny chip that securely transmits payment details. Cards: Almost all new UK debit and credit cards are contactless.
Step-by-step instructions for activating tap to pay
How to set up Tap to Pay on your Android device?
If your device allows NFC payments and your card supports them but you can't set up contactless payments, contact your bank. Check if your software is Play Protect certified. If you could previously make contactless payments with Google Wallet but no longer can, contact your device manufacturer.
Your debit card may get declined due to reasons like insufficient available balance, exceeding daily transaction limits, a blocked card for security reasons, or technical glitches in the payment system.
Make sure your card is activated for contactless payments, check if it's damaged, and ensure you haven't exceeded the transaction limit. If all else fails, use chip and PIN instead.
Yes, you can activate your debit card without going to the bank by using your bank's mobile app, online banking portal, calling the activation number, or sometimes by simply making a purchase or using an ATM with your new PIN. Most banks offer these convenient, self-service options for activation.
When a debit or credit card has the contactless feature, it can be tapped or held near a contactless-enabled merchant terminal. Encrypted card information is then sent using near field communication (NFC) technology between the card and the contactless reader on the terminal.
In your bank's app, check your card settings.
Using tap to pay can be a more convenient and secure way to make purchases than swiping or inserting your credit card. Credit or debit cards that have contactless technology feature a symbol of four curved lines that look a bit like the Wi-Fi symbol turned on its side.
You make a contactless payment by tapping the part of your card with the contactless indicator on or near the part of the merchant's card reader or point-of-sale device emblazoned with the contactless symbol. With a mobile wallet, you simply open the wallet app and tap the phone as you would the card.
You can check for NFC settings on your Samsung Android device by looking in the settings app > connections > tap NFC and contactless payments. If you see an option for NFC there, your device is enabled to make NFC payments.
Yes, tapping your card is generally considered safer than inserting it because it uses tokenization and encrypted one-time codes, preventing your actual card details from being exposed to the terminal and reducing the risk of skimming, keeping your card in your possession at all times, and often requiring biometric authentication with mobile wallets, though both methods are secure due to EMV technology. While both tap and insert (chip) use strong EMV security, tapping avoids physical contact with potentially compromised readers and keeps your data encrypted for each transaction, making it a superior choice for security and hygiene.
If you see the small wave-like symbol on your card or at checkout, you're good to go. Contactless cards use short-range technology to make everyday purchases faster and easier. If you enjoy the ease of Apple Pay or Google Pay, a contactless card gives you that same tap-to-pay convenience — no phone required.
Potential security concerns
Because contactless payments require neither PIN nor signature authorisation, lost or stolen contactless cards can be used to make fraudulent transactions.
You won't get charged twice if you accidentally tap two cards on a reader at once – but you might find the payment goes from a different card to the one you want.