Chances are that you carry your smartphone with you everywhere and more often than not, it’s in the palm of your hand, while your wallet is in your back pocket or at the bottom of a purse. If you have an Android phone with NFC, you can say goodbye, well for the most part, your trusty old wallet. It’s time to pay with your phone. Here’s how to setup and pay with Google Wallet on your Android phone.
The first thing you’ll need is the Google Wallet app. If you have a Nexus device, it’s preinstalled. If not, you can find it on the Google Play Store.
When you first open Google Wallet, you’ll be prompted to select a Gmail account to use with Google Wallet. This is often the account you use to purchase apps, movies and books from the Play Store. Note: If for some reason you want to use a different credit card, that can be setup later in the process.
Google Wallet will then begin the setup process and you’ll see a message informing you it will take up to 5 minutes.
The next few screens will provide you with more about Google Wallet and ask you if you’d like to receive special offers, invitations to provide product feedback and newsletters.
Next up, you’ll need to authorize Google Wallet to charge your selected card when you make a purchase. Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the steps on securing Google Wallet, so your card is safe should you misplace your phone. Select ‘Accept’ and the ‘Setting up Wallet’ screen returns.
Google Wallet will now request a PIN number, which you’ll need to enter twice to confirm. This pin number will be required to open Google Wallet, but there are settings for a PIN timeout. For example, let’s say that you use your Android phone to make a payment, but leave it on the counter. Even if the app is open, a user is required to enter a PIN number after 5 minutes.
To change the PIN time:
select the menu icon at the top right
- Tap on Settings
- Tap on PIN Timeout and select from 1, 5, 15 or 30 minutes
Tip: After a purchase, you select the ‘Lock Wallet’ option from the menu to immediately lock it and require a PIN.
With a PIN selected, you now have to select your funding option. If you have a credit card on file for Google Play, simply select it to complete the process. When completed, you will receive a notification that Google Wallet is ready for use.
How to pay with Google Wallet
Google Wallet works in place of your credit card and works in retail stores that support NFC. For the purpose of this article, I went to Duane Reade. For a list of supported retailers, please visit Google.
When you checkout, you’ll see a familiar payment terminal, waiting for you to swipe a credit card. Instead of using your card, follow these easy steps.
- Select credit on the payment terminal
- Tap the back of your phone to the terminal.
- If Google Wallet is not open, it will open and prompt you for a PIN number.
- Enter your PIN number
- An animated receipt will appear on your phone that says, “Requesting Transaction”.
- The clerk should note that payment has completed. During my test, I received a receipt, but the status was listed as ‘Unknown’.
That’s it, you’ve paid without have to take out your wallet or carry credit cards. If you navigate to the Transactions tab, you can view your past purchases.
I never leave home without my phone, but I do forget my wallet now and again. With your NFC enabled Android phone, payments can be made with your phone that are both fast and secure. As more stores support Google Wallet, you can rely less and less on a bulky wallet. The future is now, well at some locations. Seting up your Google Wallet and paying with your phone is easy. Once you do, you’ll enjoy the convenience and simplicity of paying with your Android phone.
