Fix problems with tap to pay transactions

Important: If you can't tap and pay, check if you've completed the following steps:

Check if your device supports NFC.
Set Google Wallet as your default payment app.
Add a card.
Set a screen lock.
Check if your phone is certified and meets security requirements.
Check if your device is unlocked before the payment.

Step 1: Check if your device supports NFC

On your Android device, open the Settings app.
Tap Connected devices Connection preferences NFC.
Tap On.

Step 2: Set Google as your default payment app

On your Android device, open the Settings app.
Tap Connected devices Connection preferences NFC.
Tap Contactless payments.
Select Google Wallet.

Tip: Make sure your Google Wallet app is up to date.

Set Google Pay as your default payment.

Step 3: Add a card

Open the Google Wallet app .
At the bottom, tap Add to Wallet .
Tap Payment card.
- Any cards you saved to your Google Wallet are shown.
Tap New credit or debit card.
- To add a card, use your camera or tap Enter details manually.
At the bottom, tap Save and continue.
Read the issuer terms.
Tap Accept.
If you're asked to verify your payment method, select an option from the list. Learn how to verify your payment method.

Step 4: Set a screen lock

Open your phone's Settings app.
Tap Security & privacy.
- If you don't find "Security," you can get help at your phone manufacturer support site.
Tap Device unlock Screen lock.
- If you already set a lock, you need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password before you can select a different one.
Select the screen lock method you want to use.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Set or change a screen lock.

Step 5: Check if phone is certified & meets security requirements

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
Tap Settings.
To check if your device is Play Protect certified, tap About.
- Learn more about Google Play Protect certification status.

Step 6: Unlock your device before the payment

Before you can pay, you'll need to confirm it's you using your Android screen lock. You can verify it's you in Google Wallet with a:

PIN
Pattern
Password
Fingerprint or class 3 biometrics face unlock (if your device supports it)

Try to tap & pay again with tips

Hold your phone closer to the payment reader for a few more seconds, then try it in a different way.
If the payment doesn't go through, find the NFC sign on the terminal or ask a cashier for help. Your NFC antenna could be near the top or middle of your device.

Fix other in-store payment failures

Try again error on the terminal

Moving the phone too quickly, keeping it too far from the reader, or having a thick phone case can interrupt the Near Field Communication (NFC) signal mid-transaction, resulting in try again error.

Try to leave your phone resting against the terminal for a few extra seconds.

The cashier says the payment didn't work but check mark appears on my phone

If a check mark appears on your phone when you hold it up to the payment reader but the cashier says the payment didn't work:

Try a different payment reader.
Confirm that the store accepts mobile payments.
Contact your bank to find out if there's an issue with your card.
Try a different payment method. Some terminals might not accept certain cards.

I attempted to make a payment but my phone prompted me to enter my PIN

If you're prompted to enter your PIN on the phone, it means that you tried to verify the purchase with an unlock method that's not supported. To solve the issue, enter your Android screen lock PIN on your phone. Do not enter card PIN on the terminal.

To avoid this issue, use a supported Android screen lock method. You can also open the Google Wallet app before a purchase. If needed, you'll find a prompt in the app to verify the purchase. Learn more about how to verify it’s you to make a purchase.

The terminal requested that I swipe or insert my card after I attempted a contactless payment

When a payment terminal requests that you swipe or insert your physical card after attempting a contactless tap with Google Wallet, it typically indicates a security fallback, or an unsupported card network. The terminal might support contactless payments for some networks (like Visa or Mastercard) but not the specific network of the card you are using (like Amex or Discover), even if the terminal accepts that network via chip or swipe.

Ensure your phone is unlocked and then try to pay again. Alternatively, you can open the Google Wallet app before you make the purchase. If necessary, you'll be prompted to verify the purchase within the app.

Tip: Even if your phone is unlocked, you may be prompted to unlock it again if too much time has passed since your last authentication.

To reset the transaction if you use a self-service terminal, try pressing "X." Otherwise, ask the cashier for assistance.

Error: Your phone isn't certified or doesn't meet security requirements

Check if your software is Play Protect certified.
If you could previously make contactless payments with Google Wallet but no longer can, contact your device manufacturer. There may have been a software update that affects functionality.
If you modified your phone, make sure that it meets security standards. Google Wallet may not work in stores with phones that:
- Run developer versions of Android.
- Are rooted, run a custom ROM, or have modified factory software. Due to security risks, Google Wallet doesn't run on these phones.
- Are untested and haven’t been approved by Google.
- Have an unlocked bootloader.

Tips:

If your phone doesn't meet security requirements, you can't make contactless payments. Use a device that runs an original version of the Android operating system.
If you installed a modified operating system on your phone, before you can make contactless payments, you must reinstall your phone’s original operating system.
- If not, your device manufacturer's software may not meet Google security requirements.
- For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

Home screen isn't available in the Google Wallet

If Wallet app gives an error that says you can't access the app, you might be able to open Google Wallet from your phone Settings menu:

On your Android device, open the Settings app.
Tap Google All Services Settings for Google apps.
Tap Google Wallet.

Tip: If you can't open the app's home screen, you might be able to tap and pay with your default card. If you continue to have this issue, report a problem or send feedback about the app.

Fix Wallet app crashes and loading issues

Important: Google Wallet requires Android 9 or higher on your phone. Learn more if your version of Android doesn’t support Google Wallet

Try the following steps if Google Wallet your phone has any of these problems:

Crashing
Won’t open
Won’t respond

After each step, restart your phone to see if it fixed the issue.

Step 1: Restart & update

Restart your phone

Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

On most phones, press your phone's Power button for about 30 seconds or until your phone restarts.
You may need to tap Restart Restart.

Check for Android updates

Open your phone's Settings app.
Near the bottom, tap System Advanced System update.
1. Depending on your phone, you might need to tap About phone or About tablet Software update.
You'll find your update status. Follow any steps on the screen.

Update the app

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Manage apps & devices.
Under "Updates available," choose to update Google Wallet

Learn how to update the Play Store and apps on Android.

Make sure Google Play services is up to date

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app& .
Tap your profile picture All services.
Under "Privacy & Security," tap System services Google Play services.
Tap Update or Install.

Learn more about keeping your apps updated with Google Play services.

Step 2: Force stop the app

You can usually force stop an app through your phone’s Settings app. Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

Step 3: Sync device with Google servers