To set your default tap-to-pay card, open the Google Wallet app, swipe to select the desired card, tap Details, and choose Make default for tap to pay. For Apple users, open the Wallet app, hold and drag the preferred card to the front. Ensure NFC is enabled in phone settings.
Open the Google Wallet app . At the top, on your card, swipe from the right edge of the screen until you find the card that you want to use as your default. Tap the card. Make default for tap to pay.
On your Android device, open the Settings app. In the search bar, type “NFC.” Payment default. Select Google Pay.
How to set up Tap to Pay on your Android device?
How to edit your payment method
NFC contactless is the broader category—it includes payments made using physical cards with tap-to-pay functionality and mobile devices alike. NFC mobile payments, on the other hand, are a specific type of NFC contactless payment that comes from a digital wallet on a phone or wearable.
To open your digital wallet (like Google Wallet or Apple Pay) quickly, use a double-press of the power/side button, add a lock screen shortcut by long-pressing the lock screen and adding the app, or use the Quick Settings tile by swiping down, depending on your phone model (Android/iPhone) and settings.
To enable NFC, go to your phone's Settings, search for "NFC," and toggle the switch on; you can find it under Connections or Connected Devices, or use the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top for a fast toggle, but remember the exact path (like 'NFC & contactless payments' on Samsung) can vary by phone model.
Tap Settings > Account. Select Tap to Pay on iPhone > toggle on Tap to Pay on iPhone. Verify the correct Apple ID is shown. If not, choose Use a Different Apple ID.
Important:
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap Apple Pay Defaults. Set any of the following: Transaction defaults: Set the default card, your shipping address, email, and phone number.
Contactless payment (or tap to pay) systems are credit cards and debit cards, key fobs, smart cards, or other devices, including smartphones and other mobile devices, that use radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC) for making secure payments.
That is why security experts recommend that you disable contactless payments if you intend to attend crowded places, such as a party, for example. And the scams don't stop there.
You need NFC on your phone if you want to make tap-to-pay contactless payments (like Apple Pay, Google Wallet), quickly pair devices (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi), or use NFC tags for automations and transit, but it's not essential if you only use your phone for calls, apps, and online purchases, though modern phones often include it for convenience. It's great for speed and security in short-range tasks but can be turned off to save minimal battery and reduce potential security risks if unused, says Square, PITAKA, and Astropad Help Center.
Today's cards typically use a version of RFID called near-field communication, or NFC, which operates at a higher frequency and allows for faster data transfer, but only at close distances — a few inches.
To change your default contactless payment, you typically adjust settings within your phone's Wallet app (like Google Wallet or Apple Wallet) for the card order, or in your phone's main Settings under NFC/Connected Devices to select the default payment app, depending on your device (Android or iPhone) and brand. For Google Wallet, you reorder cards in the app; for Apple Pay, you drag cards to the front in the Wallet app; and on Android, you go to Settings > Connected Devices > NFC > Contactless Payments to pick your default app.
Your default card in Google Pay will always be at the top of your wallet. To change your Google Pay default card: Open the Google Pay app to view your wallet. Tap the debit card to be your default card and drag it to the top of your wallet.
3 Safe Online Payment Methods
Set up tap to pay
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.
Manage Android settings for Tap to Pay on Android
To prepare your Android device to use Tap to Pay: Ensure your device is running Android 9 or higher. On your device, navigate to Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments, then toggle ON Use NFC.