Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay – every day consumers move away from traditional plastic in favor of contactless payment methods.
Google redesigned its Google Pay app in 2020, announcing a Venmo-adjacent setup where users can pay friends and businesses. The new app design also allows for messages and splitting costs with other Google Pay users.
Thinking of downloading the app and switching your payment methods over to Google Pay? Here’s your step-by-step guide to setting up and using it in stores.
Make sure your phone is compatible with near-field communication, or that the NFC setting is enabled in settings. The contactless Google Pay feature is only available on Android 7.0 and higher, though the app can be downloaded on Apple devices.
To use Google Pay, simply unlock your phone and hold the back of your phone near the payment reader until a blue checkmark appears on the screen. If you want to use a different card than your default setting, open the app and select “Tap to pay." You'll be able to swipe through your available cards and select one to tap.
You may be asked to enter a PIN or submit a signature, depending on the store you’re in, Google says.
To set up Google Pay, first download and open the app. You’ll need to connect the app to your Google account and accept the Terms of Service. Once you’re signed in and in the app, enter and verify your phone number, review privacy and rewards preferences and set up a lock screen for your device.
Tap the Insights symbol ($ in a circle) on the bottom right
Tap “Show all accounts”
Select “Add account”
Choose “To use as payment method”
Use your camera to capture your card or enter the information manually (make sure your bank or card supports Google Pay)
Review and accept the terms and conditions
What is Google Pay?
Google Pay is a digital wallet app that allows users to make contactless payments, make online payments and send money to friends. According to CNET, Google merged its former Google Wallet and Android Pay in 2018 to create Google Pay, a service primarily for Android users to make contactless and peer-to-peer payments.
How do I pay with Google Wallet? Set up your Android phone for easy contactless payments. Just add your credit or debit cards to get started. When you're ready to pay, unlock your phone, hold it near the reader, and look for the check mark to know your payment has been accepted.
You can tap and pay with other cards that aren't your default card. Open the Google Wallet app . At the top, on your card, swipe from the right edge of the screen to left until you find the card that you want to use. Hold the back of your phone against the payment terminal.
Position your phone close to your customer, and allow them to tap and hold either a card or any contactless payment-type devices (i.e. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone. You'll hear an audible beep once the payment is accepted, signifying a successful transaction.
You don't need to activate your new card when you get it – you just need to make a chip-and-PIN transaction before you can make a contactless payment. Your new card will have a different number, so you'll need to update your card details if you've registered them anywhere.
If a user has multiple cards stored which does Google Pay use for a transaction? Users choose which card to use as a default - this card is always displayed on their Google Pay home screen at the top with additional payment options and loyalty cards stacked below.
Google Wallet allows consumers to hold a wallet balance, send and receive money from friends in the United States, and use a plastic card in stores and online. Google Pay allows users to tap and pay in stores and use/redeem loyalty cards, gift cards, and offers in store.
Check if you have a valid bank account on Google Pay.
If you don't have a valid bank account on Google Pay, you'll need to first link an account to send or receive money. If you have a valid bank account added to Google Pay, move to the next step.
The contactless Google Pay feature is only available on Android 7.0 and higher, though the app can be downloaded on Apple devices. To use Google Pay, simply unlock your phone and hold the back of your phone near the payment reader until a blue checkmark appears on the screen.
Google Pay works anywhere contactless payments are accepted. Just unlock your phone and hold it near the terminal. You don't even need to open the app.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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