Set up Google Pay: paying with Android

Google Pay is Google's digital wallet that lets you pay contactless with your Android phone. Just like paying with your debit card, you hold your phone near the payment terminal and the payment is done in a few seconds. In this guide we explain step by step how to set up Google Pay on your Android phone. Even if you are not very familiar with technology, you can easily follow along.

What is Google Pay?

Google Pay is an app from Google that lets you pay with your phone. You add your debit card or credit card to the app, and after that you can pay contactless anywhere you can also tap your debit card. Since 2022 the app is officially called "Google Wallet", but many people still call it Google Pay.

Why use Google Pay?

There are plenty of good reasons to use Google Pay:

  • Convenience: You always have your phone with you, but not always your wallet
  • Speed: Paying is often faster than with your debit card
  • Security: Your real card number is never shared
  • Overview: All transactions neatly listed in the app
  • Free: There are no extra costs involved

What do you need?

Before you can set up Google Pay, check the following:

A compatible Android phone

Google Pay works on Android phones that meet these requirements:

  • Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or newer
  • NFC chip (for contactless payments in stores)
  • The phone must not be rooted

Most Android phones from the past few years have NFC. You can check this in your phone's settings under "Connected devices" or "Connections".

A supported bank

In the Netherlands, many banks support Google Pay:

  • ING
  • Rabobank
  • ABN AMRO
  • SNS Bank
  • ASN Bank
  • RegioBank
  • Bunq
  • N26
  • Revolut

Check your bank's website to see whether it supports Google Pay.

A Google account

You need a Google account to use Google Pay. This is the same account you use for the Play Store. If you have an Android phone, you almost certainly already have a Google account.

Set up Google Pay: step by step

Follow these steps to set up Google Pay on your Android phone:

Step 1: Download Google Wallet

Open the Google Play Store on your phone and search for "Google Wallet". Download and install the app. On some phones the app is already preinstalled.

Step 2: Open the app

Open Google Wallet after installing it. You will be asked to sign in with your Google account if you have not done so yet.

Step 3: Add a payment card

Tap the "Add a payment method" button or the plus sign. Choose "Credit or debit card".

Step 4: Scan your debit card or enter the details

You can scan your debit card with your phone's camera. The app automatically recognizes the card number. You can also enter the details manually:

  • Card number (16 digits on the front)
  • Expiration date (MM/YY)
  • CVC code (3 digits on the back)

Step 5: Enter your address details

Fill in your name and billing address exactly as your bank has them on file. This is important for verification.

Step 6: Accept the terms

Read the terms of Google Pay and your bank. Accept them to continue.

Step 7: Verify your card

Your bank needs to confirm that you are the rightful owner of the card. This usually happens in one of these ways:

  • You receive a text message with a verification code
  • You get a notification in your bank's app
  • You need to log in to your banking app
  • You receive an email with a link

Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

Step 8: Set up a screen lock

For your security, you need to set up a screen lock. This can be a PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint. If you have already set this up, you can skip this step.

Step 9: Ready to pay

Your card has now been added to Google Pay. You will see the card in the app and can start paying right away.

How do you pay with Google Pay?

Paying with Google Pay is very easy:

Paying in a store

  1. Check whether the store accepts contactless payments (look for the wave symbol)
  2. Unlock your phone
  3. Hold the back of your phone near the payment terminal
  4. Wait until you see a checkmark or hear a sound
  5. The payment is complete

For small amounts (usually up to 50 euros) you often do not even need to unlock your phone. You simply hold your phone near the terminal.

Paying online

You can also use Google Pay for online purchases:

  1. Look for the "Pay with Google Pay" button at checkout
  2. Tap the button
  3. Confirm the payment with your fingerprint or PIN
  4. Done! No need to fill in any card details

Paying in apps

Many apps support Google Pay as a payment method. At checkout, you simply choose Google Pay and confirm the payment.

Turning on NFC

To pay contactless in stores, NFC must be turned on on your phone. Here is how:

  1. Open your phone's Settings
  2. Go to "Connected devices" or "Connections"
  3. Look for "NFC" or "Near Field Communication"
  4. Turn on NFC if it is off

On some phones you can also quickly turn NFC on or off from the quick settings menu (swipe down from the top of your screen).

Managing multiple cards

You can add several debit cards and credit cards to Google Pay. This is handy if you use different cards.

Setting a default card

The first card you add automatically becomes your default card. Want to set a different card as your default?

  1. Open Google Wallet
  2. Tap the card you want as your default
  3. Tap the three dots in the top right
  4. Choose "Set as default for in-store payments"

Using a different card for a payment

Want to pay with a different card just once?

  1. Open Google Wallet before you pay
  2. Tap the card you want to pay with
  3. Hold your phone near the payment terminal

Google Pay security

Google Pay is a secure way to pay. Here is why:

Your data is protected

Your real card number is never shared during a payment. Instead, a unique virtual number is used. Even if a hacker were to intercept the transaction, they could do nothing with this data.

Screen lock required

For payments above a certain amount, you have to unlock your phone. Without your PIN, pattern or fingerprint, nobody else can pay.

Loss or theft

Lost your phone? You can lock or erase your phone remotely via google.com/find. Your banking details are then safe right away.

Troubleshooting

Running into problems? Here are solutions for common situations:

The payment fails

  • Check whether NFC is turned on
  • Make sure your phone is unlocked
  • Hold your phone closer to the payment terminal
  • Check whether you have enough balance
  • Try tapping a different spot on the payment terminal

The card cannot be added

  • Check whether your bank supports Google Pay
  • Make sure the card details are entered correctly
  • Try restarting the app
  • Contact your bank

The app does not work

  • Update the app to the latest version
  • Restart your phone
  • Check whether your phone meets the requirements

Frequently asked questions about Google Pay

Does Google Pay cost money?

No, Google Pay is completely free. You pay no extra costs for using the app. Your bank may charge its normal transaction fees, but you would also pay those when paying with your debit card.

Does Google Pay work without internet?

Yes, for contactless payments in stores you do not need an internet connection. The payment runs over NFC, which works without internet. You do need internet for online payments and to add new cards.

Can I use Google Pay on multiple phones?

Yes, you can add the same debit card to Google Pay on multiple devices. Each device does go through its own verification process with your bank. Note: this can affect security, so only do this on devices that belong to you.

What is the difference between Google Pay and Google Wallet?

Google Pay is the payment feature, and Google Wallet is the app that contains this feature. Since 2022 Google has combined everything in the Google Wallet app, where besides payment cards you can also store loyalty cards, access passes and boarding passes. The payment feature is still called Google Pay.

Conclusion

Google Pay makes paying with your Android phone easy and secure. Setting it up takes just a few minutes, and after that you can pay contactless anywhere you can also tap your debit card. With the tips in this article, you are all set to start paying by phone. Give it a try and discover how convenient it is to pay with your phone.

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