To get contactless payments to work, enable NFC (Near Field Communication) in your phone's settings, add a card to a digital wallet (Google Wallet or Apple Wallet), and unlock your phone before tapping. Ensure your device supports contactless, set a screen lock, and look for the contactless symbol on payment terminals.
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
If you have a new or replacement contactless card, you might not be able to make a contactless payment until you've made your first chip and PIN transaction. This is a security measure applied by your card issuer. Also check the 'Valid From' date to ensure it's ready to be used.
Activate your contactless card
When you get your new contactless card, you must use it for a Chip and PIN transaction or an ATM cash withdrawal before making a contactless purchase (so we know you've received your card). Once you've done that, you're ready to make contactless payments.
If you have activated your new credit card and found that it does not work, you should contact your credit card company. Most new credit cards are sent in a de-activated state to the mailing address you provided on your application.
All you need to do is hold your contactless card over the reader to pay. 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.
On Android, the simplest failure is that NFC is off. Check the toggle first, as turning NFC on often resolves the issue immediately. Approximately 30% of NFC issues are caused by the feature being turned off on Android devices. Make this toggle the mandatory first step in any field checklist.
Step-by-step instructions for activating tap to pay
To turn on NFC, swipe down for Quick Settings on Android and tap the NFC icon, or go to Settings > Connections > NFC; on iPhone, NFC for payments is always on, but for tag reading, use the Shortcuts app to create a Personal Automation with the NFC trigger.
If your phone doesn't meet security requirements, you can't make contactless payments. Use a device that runs an original version of the Android operating system.
Important: If you can't pay contactless, check if you've completed the following steps:
Ensure contactless setting is enabled in the card issuing bank's application. On your mobile device, go to “Settings.” If NFC isn't already turned on your device, make sure to turn it on. Before tapping to pay, ensure that your phone must be unlocked.
While iOS lacks native blocking, Android allows disabling NFC entirely. How to reset NFC on Samsung devices involves navigating to Settings > Connections > NFC and selecting “Reset NFC hardware.
Bluetooth® is renowned for its longer-range communication capabilities and is used in a wide variety of devices, from mobile phones to fitness trackers. NFC, on the other hand, works in close proximity, and its main strength lies in enabling secure, contactless communication between devices at short distances.
Hold your Android device near the card reader and wait for the checkmark. Pay with your default card or select another. Google Pay will handle the rest. Order free stickers for your business to let customers know you accept Google Pay.
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.
You should hold your contactless card within a few centimetres of the contactless terminal. If you keep multiple cards in your wallet or purse, only one card will be read by the contactless reader. The surest way to pay on the card you intend is to remove and hold it against the contactless reader.
Call customer service: You can call the phone number on the back of your credit card to reach customer service. You'll be able to check the status of your card and, if it is deactivated, you can ask about reactivation. Make a purchase: Another way to check if a card is active is to try and use it to make a purchase.
NFC payments may fail due to insufficient funds, a software issue on your phone, or an inactive NFC setting. Try restarting your phone, checking your balance, or enabling NFC in your phone's settings. How do I get my contactless card to work?
Once you activate the credit card you should be able to use it right away.