Contactless payment attracts many banking clients due to the speed, convenience and security of the transaction. To use contactless technology in your phone, you must have an NFC module, a Secure Element microprocessor (for older smartphone models) and a free banking application. Bank card data is stored directly in the payment application.
Payment with a gadget is completely safe due to data transmission via secure channels. Such a card cannot be stolen or copied. To transmit payment information, the terminal uses a digital code, which reduces the likelihood of fraud. The released applications allow you to attach several cards of various types (gift, discount, debit, credit) to one gadget. Payment can be made in any place where contactless payment terminals are installed.
What is the NFC function on Android
The possibility of contactless payment is made possible thanks to the NFC technology chip - Near Field Communication, which translated from English means “near field communication”. The peculiarity of this connection is that it functions only over short distances.
Pay for purchases using an Android smartphone
The main advantageous features of this technology:
- Low power consumption, so the function can run in the background.
- The cost of the Near Field Communication module is low, which is why even budget smartphones are equipped with it.
- The user does not need to enable each command manually, thanks to the generation of tags automatically in built-in cash registers, turnstiles and terminals.
It is simply not practical to use other possible payment methods in the radio frequency range, since this one meets all the requirements and standards.
What is the MIR payment system?
In 2016, the President of the Russian Federation decided to create a Russian payment system. Based on the results of the competition, the system was given the name “Mir”. The decision to create this system was made in order to protect Russian residents from the fact that their data could be taken over by fraudsters.
The Russian payment system offers several types of cards:
- Debit: Used to store funds and pay for purchases. It is possible to issue a virtual MIR card in some banks.
- Credit MIR: provides the opportunity to use a credit limit for purchases, taking into account the grace period.
- Social: intended for pensioners and students. The card is provided free of charge.
- Co-branding: designed for payments abroad.
Mir cards are issued by issuing banks. You can obtain this card from a financial institution.
Advantages of "World" cards:
- Only Russia has access to Mir cards. This protects the system from the influence of other countries.
- Each card has a chip, magnetic stripe and hologram. This ensures maximum safety.
- There are different rates for each client. For example, for social benefits, transactions are carried out free of charge.
- No additional fees are charged from the cards, since the money is kept within the state.
- Mir card users are provided with various discounts, grace periods, and cashback.
Disadvantages of "World" cards:
- The card is not accepted in all stores in the country.
- The card is not suitable for paying for purchases and services offered in foreign currency.
- Foreign payment systems are better developed. International card holders can use additional discounts, choose bonus programs and much more.
You can already pay abroad with a MIR card, but the list is limited to a number of countries.
Checking for an NFC chip on Android devices
What is NFC on Android - contactless payment
Before you figure out how to use NFS on Android for payment, you need to check that your smartphone is equipped with the appropriate chip and is capable of supporting the contactless payment function.
- Open the settings of your mobile device and check that among the available options there is the item “Contactless payment” or NFC.
- On the phone body, or rather its back panel, make sure there is an NFC logo.
- When purchasing a mobile device, documentation is included that should describe in detail all the technical characteristics of the device.
How to make sure there is an NFC chip on Android devices
For the system to function, it is necessary that the device meets the following requirements:
- The mobile device has the Android operating system version 4.4 and higher.
- The model is equipped with a special NFC microchip.
- An original mobile device is used, otherwise Google services will not allow you to carry out any transactions online.
- Absence of any changes in the operation of the operating system as a superuser.
Note! Not all manufacturers indicate on their cases that a particular phone model is equipped with contactless payment technology.
Safety during contactless payment
To ensure the security of NFC payments, the EMV standard is used. It is used in all payment terminals that work with contactless payments. The system generates a one-time key and automatically redirects the request to the bank. If the ID matches, the money will be transferred to the seller's account.
Even if an attacker intercepts the key, he will not be able to use it, since each new transaction creates its own identifier. In addition, the NFC range is 10 cm. At this distance it is difficult to intercept any data.
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Kristina Gorbunovaauthor
How to enable NFC function on Android phones
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How to connect NFC for payments on Android? Activating the function is completely free and does not take much time or effort from the user; the services used are absolutely safe.
Brief instructions on how to enable NFC on Android:
- In the settings of your mobile device, go to the “Connections” or “Wireless” sections.
- Find the “NFC” tab, opposite which the toggle switch should be moved to the on position.
- If the settings include the “Contactless payments” option, then you should check which program will be used by default to make payments.
Activating the NFC function
Note! To avoid wasting time activating and deactivating the service in the future, the technology always remains enabled by default. Energy consumption is minimal, so there is no need to worry about this.
Installing and setting up an application for using NFC on Android
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To pay for purchases contactlessly, you can install several applications. They all perform the same task; the differences are only in functionality and interface design. Before setting up NFC Android in any way, you need to familiarize yourself with the operating features of each program, its advantages and disadvantages.
Google Pay
Instructions on how to set up payment via NFC on Android using Google Pay:
- First make sure that the phone is capable of supporting the technology and that the operating system version 5.0 and higher is installed.
- Download the Google Pay application from Play Market. This can be done completely free of charge.
- After installation, open the utility and strictly follow the step-by-step algorithms displayed on the phone display.
- Add a card (a notification will appear on the screen when this can be done).
- It is quite possible that the system will additionally ask you to install a pattern key to lock your phone. The application will function in the background if you unlock the gadget using one of the following methods: fingerprint scanner or iris scanner, pattern key or PIN code.
Google Pay interface design
If you have several programs installed on your mobile device for making contactless payments, you need to make sure that Google Pay is installed as the main one.
Note! If the user lives or travels in Japan, then his gadget must be compatible with the Osaifu-Keitai system. To do this, you will need the Google Pay application version no lower than 2.89.
Android Pay
How to install NFS on Android using the Android Pay application? To use this utility, you need to download and install the program of the same name from the Google Play Store.
When you first start, you need to configure contactless payment parameters; almost immediately the system will require you to connect a card of a certain bank - to do this, you just need to point it at the camera, after which the program code reads all the necessary information. You can also enter all data manually.
The CVV code is indicated on the back of the card, which will also be required, as well as the user’s address. A unique code will be sent to the user’s phone, which will need to be entered in the appropriate form in the application before connecting the card to the system.
How to pay with iPhone: Apple Pay
The pre-installed Wallet application is responsible for contactless payments in Apple gadgets. We open this program by finding the desired icon on the desktop, and open the “Add a card” window by clicking on the blue plus sign in the upper right corner. You can enter card data either by capturing it with a camera, placing a frame on the card, or manually. You can add from 8 to 12 cards, depending on the smartphone model.
You can add a discount card in the same way by scanning the QR code. This can also be done by following the link in the received letter or SMS, by registering in the store application, or automatically after paying at the point of sale using Apple Pay.
The first payment card attached to Wallet becomes the default card. If you need to change it, go to “Settings” - “Wallet and Apple Pay”, scroll to the “Default payment options” section, click “Card” and select another card. This manipulation can also be done in the Wallet program by touching the card in the list and dragging it to the beginning.
When paying for an iPhone 8 or older, you need to place your finger on the fingerprint sensor without turning on the smartphone and, without letting go, bring the gadget to the terminal. When paying with a newer iPhone model, double-press the power button. After identification, the card will be displayed on the screen, then we bring the device to the terminal. To use a discount card, you need to launch Wallet and select the required card. The display will display its barcode, which the seller will need to read.
How to link a card to NFC Android
When the application is downloaded and configured, you need to read the instructions on how to connect the card to NFS Android.
Linking a bank card to an application for contactless payment
To connect a bank card to a smartphone running Android OS, you need to follow the instructions:
- Download the Google Pay app on your phone. You can install it completely free of charge in the Play Market.
- After installation, tap your finger on the “Start” button.
- Next, click on “Link a card” and enter all the card details (security code, number and expiration date).
- Check the appropriate box to confirm your agreement to the terms and conditions.
- A secret code will be sent to your mobile phone number, which will need to be entered in the appropriate form.
This simple instruction allows you to set up and connect contactless payment systems.
What to do if payment via NFC does not work
If the user has thoroughly studied all the rules of the instructions on how to install NFS on Android, has done everything in strict accordance, and the application does not work, you need to familiarize yourself with the following information:
- The user's mobile device must support the NFS function, operating system version 5.0 and higher.
- The store where the user is going to pay for a purchase must have a working cash terminal.
- You should enable SMS alerts that will notify you of each transaction performed.
- Do not share the secret code from your plastic card with third parties.
- Install an effective antivirus program on your phone and regularly conduct deep system scans.
- Do not use your card when making purchases on suspicious sites.
If, for example, a user is unable to complete a particular transaction and is the only one experiencing this problem, then most likely the problem is related to the buyer's payment card or mobile device.
Features of payment using the Google Pay application
After studying the instructions on how to use NFC to pay on Android, you can understand that everything is done quite simply. Even novice users should not have any difficulties.
