You can take card payments on your phone using Tap to Pay (for contactless/digital wallets) directly on compatible iPhones or Androids with apps like Square or SumUp, or by using a payment processor (like Square, PayPal, or Stripe) that lets you manually enter card details for "card-not-present" (MOTO) transactions, turning your phone into a virtual terminal.
Quick Steps
You can use your phone to pay for goods or services with Google Wallet.
You can pay with Google Wallet wherever you find the contactless or Google Pay symbols on the payment terminal screen or cash register.
To pay with your phone, set up a digital wallet like Apple Pay (iPhone) or Google Wallet/Pay (Android), add your debit/credit cards, ensure your phone's NFC is on, then simply unlock your phone and hold the back near a contactless payment terminal (look for the symbol) to tap and pay.
Be ready to accept in-person contactless payments with Tap to Pay on Android.
Digital wallets often provide enhanced security through information encryption, making them safer. However, if an unauthorized individual were to gain access your device, they could potentially access your digital wallet, putting your personal information and financial assets at risk.
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The 15/3 credit card payment method is a strategy to improve your credit score by making two payments monthly: one around 15 days before the statement closing date and another about 3 days before the due date, aiming to lower your reported balance and credit utilization ratio before the issuer reports to bureaus. While paying down balances helps, experts note there's nothing magical about the 15 and 3-day marks, suggesting focusing on your statement's credit reporting date for better results.
Hold your Android device near the card reader and wait for the checkmark. Pay with your default card or select another.
Most modern smartphones, including iPhone (iPhone 6 and later) and many Android devices (Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, newer OnePlus, etc.), support tap-to-pay via NFC, using digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay for contactless payments, with specific model compatibility depending on the app and carrier. The key is an NFC chip and a compatible digital wallet app for seamless, card-free transactions.
Check if your card is “Tap to pay” ready
Check if your card is set up for “Tap to pay,” otherwise add a new card. On your mobile device, open the Google Pay app . Pay with credit or debit cards. On the home screen, users with NFC-enabled phones can find a “Tap & Pay” chip.
RFID-blocking wallets, like the PROOF Wallet, prevent digital theft no matter where you happen to spend the day.
The best digital wallet apps right now
If you're considering making the leap to digital payments, you'll likely want to consider one of the top four phone-sponsored digital wallet apps: PayPal™, Apple Pay® (iPhone® devices), Google Pay™ (Android™ devices) and Samsung Pay™.
4. Set up your Wallet
Your actual credit card information is never stored on your phone, but is rather encrypted and stored in the cloud. If you lose your phone or if it's stolen, no one will be able to gather any information about your credit cards. You can lock down your digital wallet remotely.
Only 13 per cent report having gone completely cashless. Despite more than half of Canadians (55 per cent) who say they have no desire to go cashless, 49 per cent think it is likely that Canadian stores will go completely cashless in the next 10 years compared to 31 per cent who think it is unlikely.
Apple Pay Canada
Owing to the popularity of iOS, Apple Pay has become a top payment gateway in Canada and globally. The app facilitates easy and secure purchases, in stores, apps and on the web. Not to forget how easy the app makes sending money to friends and family via iMessages.
Disadvantages of QR code payments include a dependency on stable internet access and the user owning a smartphone. If the internet connection is poor, or if the user's phone is out of battery, the transaction cannot be completed.
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📱 Setting Up Google Pay (Android Phones)
Android users can find Google Wallet on most newer Android devices. To check if you already have it, swipe up from your home screen and scroll through your apps. You can also search by swiping down and typing “Wallet” or “Google Wallet.”
Yes, you can use your digital wallet to withdraw cash or check your balance at ATMs with a contactless symbol, so no need to insert your physical card. However, deposit transactions are not supported via contactless, so you'll need to insert your card and enter your PIN for those.