Top 5 apps for secure NFC payment transactions

Prefer secure, one-click payments without legacy paper money? Then NFC payment apps are what you need for future payments. Here are the top 5 NFC payment apps for secure transactions.

NFC payments are gradually becoming the norm around the world. They are revolutionizing how we make payments for the goods we need. As the use of mobile phones and apps developed by companies to manage daily life becomes more prominent, NFC payouts gathering steam should not be a surprise to everyone.

Short for "near field communication," NFC allows two devices, such as your phone and a payment terminal, to communicate with each other when they are in close proximity. This is a technology that enables contactless payments. NFC technology allows merchants and consumers to initiate contactless payments using mobile devices or credit cards. There are several examples where many companies have come up with new and innovative ways to make this process even easier. Consumers no longer need to physically lay down plastic to make payments. Instead, they can authorize transactions by waving their preferred delivery service through an NFC reader.

NFC technology allows two devices to identify each other and then communicate with each other without Internet access. However, this mechanism requires an NFC chip on both devices. One-way communication is also possible with NFC. In this case, a powered device, such as a mobile phone or credit card reader, reads and writes to the NFC chip.

User initiation

Customers must actively initiate the contactless payment process to begin each transaction. This typically involves launching the appropriate NFC app on the phone to set up a connection between the device and the merchant's reader. This way, even if an attacker gets close enough, they cannot cause harm while in standby mode. Additionally, some NFC apps require users to verify the transaction using a private passcode or fingerprint scanning technology.

Pros and cons of paying by phone

The main positive qualities of contactless payments via telephone include the following:

• Safety. The devices connect to each other in just a fraction of a second, and the signal coverage area does not exceed a few centimeters. It is almost impossible to intercept the details using any technical means.
• Convenience. All processes are maximally optimized and do not require additional intervention. Linking cards is done once and remains until the expiration date.
• Due to its small size, the NFS chip can be easily placed in smartphones.
• Low energy consumption. The module operates in economy mode and does not have a noticeable effect on the battery charge.
• The NFC service is provided absolutely free.
• Fast payment at the checkout saves customers time.

Despite the obvious advantages, there are also certain disadvantages inherent in this system:

• Not all phones are equipped with NFS chips.
• The module operates on battery power, so a switched off or discharged phone is not suitable for contactless payment.
• Not all payment terminals are equipped with a contactless payment function.

NFC apps you need for secure transactions

NFC apps allow users to pay directly from their smartphones after they have programmed their bank details. Examples of these apps are Apple Pay and Android Pay. While Apple Pay and Android Pay are the most popular NFC payment apps, they aren't the only NFC apps you can use for secure transactions. There are other NFC apps that work equally well. Here are the top 5 NFC payment apps for secure transactions.

This may be useful

In fact, recently many banking applications have moved towards contactless payments. Those. Nowadays, sometimes you just need to open your bank’s app, and contactless payments will already work. And here there is no longer a division of products into Android and Apple - it is available in both stores.

From what I personally use:

• Sberbank directly in the Sberbank.Online application allows you to add a card to your SberPay service. You can find it if you enter the word “nfc” into the search in the application. Those who are attentive will see that Sberbank also offers Google Pay there. Therefore, I did not see much point in this function.
• Yandex Money - allows you to issue a virtual card and make it contactless through their application. QIWI also seemed to have similar functionality, but did not actually use it.

For Huawei owners where Google Pay does not work (and if Huawei has not yet rolled out its payment card), this may be useful:

• Wallet. That's what it's called simply. Searched in the official Google Play market. A card is added and payment starts working.
• There are reviews that it is also excellent to pay through SberPay. If Wallet is a 100% solution, then it is better to check SberPay manually

Apple Pay

In 2014, Apple Pay is a mobile wallet application that allows users of Apple Watch and iPhone 6 or higher to pay in stores. Additionally, Mac owners can use the app for online payments. To enable Apple Pay, iPhone users need to lock their screen with a passcode, and they can use the same passcode to authorize payments. Apple Pay's biggest security feature is tokenization, which allows the app to create virtual account numbers, eliminating the need to store real credit card numbers in the system.

How to pay with NFC

Before payment, the phone is taken out of standby mode. No mobile internet connection required. After this, the device is applied with its back side to the terminal reader. The balance and payment amount will appear on the screen. The transaction is confirmed by a fingerprint, code or graphic key. To complete the payment, you need to touch the smartphone again to the terminal and wait for a confirmation signal.

If you have several cards, you need to select in advance the one that will be used for payment. For amounts over 1000 rubles, you will need to enter a PIN code. It is recommended to add the NFS icon to the notification shade to have quick access to this function.

Visa PayWave

It is one of the most popular contactless payment apps that provides secure transactions. This will help you save your time at the money counter as users simply have to wave their card through a secure reader. You don't need to insert or swipe your card, but you do need to make sure your bank allows Visa payWave for mobile services. In addition, you need to install the corresponding NFC Payment application on your phone.

When someone touches or uses their phone on their car, they will automatically receive a credit card associated with your Google account. No need to carry a wallet with you if you've linked your debit card or credit card to your Google account.

Software for contactless payments

Applications for NFC on Android can be produced both by phone manufacturers and by payment services. Today you can pay for purchases with a smartphone through programs from Google, Samsung, Huawei, Honor, Visa, MasterCard, PayPal. Third-party developers also offer their analogues - LifeLock and Square Wallet.

System for Android

The most common contactless payment application for Android is offered by the developer of the operating system itself - Google. Google Pay is pre-installed on almost all phones with an NFS chip - Asus, Lenovo, Sony, Xiaomi, HTC and others.

Choice in favor of this application:

• a development company with a large reserve of trust;
• Today, most banks in Russia work with the payment service - Sberbank, VTB, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, etc.;
• you can add up to 10 means of payment and an unlimited number of coupons, discount or discount cards;
• transactions are made through international Visa and MasterCard transfers.

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In addition, although Google is involved in a couple of scandals about spying on users, bank details will be securely hidden from attackers in the cloud.

System for Samsung

The NFC application from Samsung has no less functionality. But with a number of advantages that the American counterpart does not have:

1. Availability of MST chip. The brand's flagships have another module that replaces magnetic tape cards. This is convenient if there is no contactless payment method or the store has an old-style terminal installed.
2. Improved data storage system. Unlike Google, map data is not sent anywhere, but is stored exclusively in the phone’s memory. Moreover, a separate stream of encoded memory is used for this.
3. Since card data is encrypted within the device, no internet connection is required at all. Relevant for paying for purchases abroad (Google Pay allows you to pay for purchases without the Internet up to 6 times).

Important! Samsung Pay only works on phones of the same brand. Installation on other phones is not provided due to company security policy.

Visa payWave

The international transfer system also has its own application for payment via NFC. True, as the name implies, it works exclusively with Visa cards, which every major bank in the Russian Federation has. The main advantage of the application is the transaction speed - only 50 milliseconds.

Visa payWave works closely with Google. Even when creating an account, the system asks you to indicate your Google account. You can pay using this service at any cash register where there is an NFC icon. Otherwise, the payment service is not very popular due to its not very user-friendly interface and the need to install an additional NFC Payment application.

The functionality is similar to banking applications and allows you to pay utility bills, make loan payments, set up mobile phone auto-replenishment, etc.

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Additional Information. Based on Visa, contactless payments are also being implemented by the Qiwi electronic system. By creating a virtual Visa card, users will also have access to non-contact transactions.

Square Wallet

The application from a third-party developer has passed the security check of both Android and Apple. So the “square wallet” is available on almost all devices, including iPhone. This is in case someone is planning to switch to another mobile platform. You can download the NFC application to pay for purchases on your phone both on Google Play and in the AppStore.

The functionality of the application works closely with geolocation. This allows you to mark priority sellers and receive discounts for multiple purchases in the same place. True, all this is relevant only for the USA. Our service is underdeveloped.

Otherwise everything is standard. You can top up the virtual balance of your wallet, or you can link a card. But, as in the case of Visa payWave, the protection of transactions and user data here is rather weak.

LifeLock Wallet

The application was released thanks to the merger of several services - LifeLock (programs for protecting personal information) and the Lemon Wallet electronic wallet. As a result, the final product became a “guard” of personal data with the ability to pay for purchases via NFC.

LifeLock supports credit, debit, discount cards, coupons, tickets and others. The online system scans millions of transactions around the world and, if an unauthorized payment from connected payment instruments is detected somewhere, the service will notify the user about it.

MasterCard PayPass

The e-wallet from MasterCard largely repeats the service described above from Visa and is also closely linked to the account from Google.

You can use the application only if you have contactless payment cards from MasterCard. In Russia, Sberbank offers a large range of such payment instruments. By the way, Sberbank Online was developed in collaboration with MasterCard.

Important! The service has its own limits on contactless purchases. They will vary depending on the bank. You can find out your terms and conditions for transactions only from the issuing bank.

PayPal

The PayPal service, which is so popular here and abroad, has expanded its functionality. Now users can not only pay for online purchases, but also use contactless technologies right in the store.

SIM card with NFC from Tele2, Beeline, Megafon, MTS and others

Although PayPal has repeatedly stated that they plan to implement NFC functionality in their app, this has never happened. But you can use your PayPal balance through Google or Samsung Pay. To do this, you need to add your quick transfer system account in the application functionality.

"Square Wallet"

"Square Wallet" works on both IOS and Android platforms. An NFC payment app that works amazingly fast, Square Wallet can be linked to your credit card. Additionally, the app is location-based, which means the store you're trying to make a payment at knows you initiated the transaction and will charge the fee associated with your Square account.

In addition to the above, the app comes with a free review feature that allows you to mark your chosen seller as a favorite. The next time you visit a store, you'll be eligible for discounts using the Square app.

How to download and install?

Some programs may already be installed on your smartphone by default (for example, Samsung Pay), while others are available for download on Google Play. After downloading, the mobile payment application will be automatically installed on your smartphone. Let's look at what actions need to be performed to link a card, using the Samsung Pay payment service as an example.

The principle of setting up all applications for NFC payments on Android is similar.

1. Open the program from the icon on the main screen. When you first log in, you will be asked to set a security method: PIN code, fingerprint unlocking and iris scanner (if supported by your phone model).
2. To link the first card, click on the card icon on the screen. To add the following cards, click on the “Add” button.
3. Enter the card details manually in the appropriate fields or take a photo of it with your smartphone camera.
4. Click “Next” and agree to the user agreement, having previously read its clauses.
5. Next, an SMS with a confirmation code will be sent to your number. Enter it and select "Submit".
6. Finally, write your signature on the screen with your finger or stylus. This additional security measure may be needed to verify your identity when checking out at the checkout.

In some payment services on Android, you do not need to complete the last step.

After completing these steps, the program on your phone for paying for purchases at the reading terminal will be ready for use.

Samsung Pay

Providing compatibility with all other magnetic stripe terminals, Samsung Pay uses close-channel communication technology to process payments through a click-to-pay gateway. You can pay for goods and services using the app by waving your Samsung device at the cash register.

These are the first 5 NFC payment apps for secure transactions. Looking for NFC Platform Development? Then consider hiring a leading ISO certified mobile app development company like us that has extensive experience in developing a variety of mobile applications for a wide variety of clients.

The best NFS payment apps on the market today

Currently, there are several NFC-compatible smartphones such as Google's Nexus series, Samsung's Galaxy Series, and iPhone.

Currently, the following NFC programs for Android use this technology:

• Android Pay,
• Samsung Pay,
• Visa payWave,
• MasterCard PayPass,
• PayPal
• LifeLock Wallet,
• Square Wallet.

Let's take a closer look at these working programs.

Android Pay

Android Pay is one of the most popular digital wallets. Anyone with the app on an Android smartphone can pay with a simple tap on the point-of-sale terminal, which has near-field connectivity or NFC. The list of countries that support Android Pay has grown over the past two years. There are many providers and companies like PayPal that have teamed up with Android Pay to leverage the touch and pay app functionality. In fact, many retailers now provide customized payment apps for their customers.

It is very easy to enable NFC card emulation function on Android. Just first you need to download the application from the Google store

What devices does it work on?

Before linking a bank card to a mobile application, you should clarify which mobile devices are equipped with the necessary module.

The main condition necessary for the chip to work is the presence of an Android operating system of at least version 4.4.

Brands that allow you to pay via NFC from an Android phone are:

• Samsung;
• iPhone;
• HTC;
• Honor;
• Huawei Nova;
• Wileyfox Swift;
• Nokia;
• Xiaomi;
• LG.

To use a smartphone as a payment instrument, you will have to set up a mobile application, download additional software, and connect NFC to make payments.

What does “contactless payment” mean?

Contactless payment method - what is it? This is a transfer of funds from a bank card without installing the latter in the terminal reader.

The credit card is brought to the scanner at a distance of about ten centimeters, and a sum of money equivalent to the cost of the purchased product or service is debited from the account.

If the amount of funds does not exceed 999 rubles, you do not need to enter an additional code to confirm the transaction.

With the help of NFC technology, payment by card has become possible through a mobile phone running on the Android operating system.

Regarding a plastic card, let’s say one thing - it must have a corresponding icon.

The principle of operation is as follows. A special microchip is integrated inside the card issued by the bank. This allows you not to insert a card into the POS terminal to transfer money for the purchased product. Innovative technology allowed a smartphone equipped with an NFS module to read information from the card and emulate it every time it approaches the terminal scanner. Now there is no need to carry cash and plastic cards with you - all payment actions are performed by mobile phone.

Is it possible to disable the module?

Some consumers are wondering if it is possible to perform this action themselves? Everything is simple here. You need to find the corresponding option in the settings menu, and if it is active, tap on it to disable it.

How can I disable the microchip in another way? I couldn’t find the option in quick settings - go to the usual ones, click the “more” button, select “wireless networks”, go to the “file and data transfer” subsection, move the NFS switch to the “off” position. After completing these steps, the “N” symbol will disappear from the panel.

Benefits of contactless payments via Google Pay

Consumers who transfer funds using mobile devices running Android 6 or other OS versions highlight the following advantages of the technology:

• payment is processed instantly. It takes no more than two to three seconds to complete the transaction. All that is required is a payment terminal and a smartphone;
• quick and easy setup of the payment service. It is possible to activate the program on Android 8 or another mobile device within a few minutes;
• The operation of NFC Emulator on Android does not imply the withdrawal of commission;
• it is possible to make online payments via the Internet;
• Stores award bonuses for using a contactless payment system;
• Security is guaranteed for the bank card details and funds of its holder.

Partner banks

Please note that not all financial institution cards support Android Pay. Today, the following banks issue the corresponding plastic:

• Alfa Bank;
• Sberbank;
• Bitbank;
• VTB;
• Opening;
• Rosselkhozbank;
• Raiffeisenbank;
• Sovcombank;
• Tinkoff Bank;
• QIWI VISA;
• Yandex money.

The list of partner banks is constantly growing.

Which smartphones support contactless payment?

To make contactless payments, a physical NFC module must be installed on your smartphone. Android smartphones must also support HCE. This technology is available on all modern smartphones older than 2014.

You can find out whether your smartphone has NFC in the settings. For example, on Samsung smartphones the contactless payment module icon is located in the quick settings menu.

Many banks have their own applications for contactless payments. One of these programs can be installed on a smartphone to quickly add bank card numbers to the appropriate software. But even without a program from a bank, a bank card can be added to third-party software that supports contactless payment.

Examples for popular phone models

Instructions on how to set up contactless payment by phone - a general scheme that, in general, will work everywhere. The principle is the same for different phone models, operating systems and banks: enable NFC, install the application, add payment details to it. I will briefly tell you about the important nuances that need to be taken into account.

iPhone

The answer to how to enable NFC on iPhone is simple: it is already enabled. This applies to all iPhones starting from version 6. The Wallet program is also installed in the package of basic applications. This is where you need to configure and add cards.

• Open Wallet.
• Click on the “+” in the upper right corner or on the inscription.

• Enter your Apple ID code.
• Take a photo of the card or enter the information manually.

• The bank will check and confirm the card, as in the case of Android.
• You can start making payments. You should keep your finger on Touch ID during the transaction.

Honor

The method for setting up NFC on Honor is completely identical to the instructions described above. To make it more convenient to turn the module on and off, you can place the icon on the quick access panel.

Xiaomi

The instructions on how to set up NFC on Xiaomi are similar to any other Android smartphone. For Xiaomi models there are nuances: you need to configure several switches in the settings, which are usually disabled for security reasons:

1. Actually, NFC itself: “Wireless networks” - “More” - enable the module.
2. You need to configure the “Security Element Location” – enable “Use HCE Wallet”.
3. You can put Google Pay in autoload, for reliability.

How to pay for your purchase?

How to pay by phone instead of card? The algorithm looks like this:

1. Wait for the cashier to announce the amount.
2. Open the payment app on your phone.
3. Select the card from which the debit will occur. All of them are stored in the Wallet for Android wallet.
4. Place your finger to unlock or enter your PIN code.
5. Place your phone near the reading terminal and wait for a sound signal indicating the transaction has been completed. The payment was successful.

It is recommended to activate both your fingerprint and password. This way you will not lose access to bank cards if you forget the PIN code combination or the fingerprint scanner breaks down.

If problems arise during the transaction, their cause may lie in system failures of the payment system or terminal. In this case, you need to try again and perform the operation again. If it doesn’t work out again, go to the next checkout. If the problem persists, write a request to support.