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Get Started with Tap to Pay on Android

With Tap to Pay on Android, you can securely accept Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and NFC-enabled cards on your Android device without additional hardware. Tap to Pay on Android is currently available with Square Point of Sale, Square Invoices, Square Appointments and Square for Restaurants.

Using an iPhone? Learn how to get started with Tap to Pay on iPhone.

Pricing, Compatibility and Transaction Limits

  • Square sellers using Tap to Pay on Android will pay a per-transaction processing fee of 1.9% for payments processed in Square Point of Sale, Square Appointments (Free), Square Invoices (Free and Plus) and Square for Restaurants (Free, Plus and Premium).

  • If you are subscribed to Square Appointments (Plus or Premium), you’ll pay a per-transaction processing fee of 1.6%. This payment method is compatible with all contactless cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

  • Square sellers accepting Afterpay Card on Tap to Pay on Android will pay a per-transaction processing fee of 6% + 30¢ (excl. GST) per sale.

  • Accept any Australian-issued and most international contactless cards with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express and bank-issued eftpos chip card. To know if a card is contactless, look for the ‘wave’ symbol.

  • Tap to Pay on Android has a per-transaction limit for contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) of $50,000 and a per-transaction limit for physical contactless eftpos cards of $100 and $250 for all other card brands.

Note: You’ll need to be running Android 9 or later to use Tap to Pay on Android.

Device Settings for Tap to Pay on Android

Before you get started, ensure1 that your phone is running Android 9 or later. 

  1. Navigate to your device Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments.

  2. Toggle on Contactless Payments to enable. Toggle off Contactless Payments to disable.

  3. Ensure ‘Developer options’ are turned off on your phone.

Note: Steps may vary depending on your specific Android device. Check out our compatibility page to see if your Android device is compatible with Tap to Pay on Android.

Enable Tap to Pay on Android

You can enable/disable Tap to Pay on Android at any time through the compatible Square apps (Square Point of Sale, Square Appointments, Square Invoices, and Square for Restaurants).

  1. From the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen, tap ≡ More.

  2. Tap Settings, then tap Hardware.

  3. Choose Tap to Pay by Android > toggle on to enable.

  • Toggle off Tap to Pay by Android to disable at any time.

Note: Due to the manufacturer’s specification, some same phone models may be compatible with Tap to Pay on Android in one country, but not in another country. Follow the steps above and check that the Tap to Pay by Android option is available. If it is, your device is compatible. If you don’t see the Tap to Pay by Android option, check out our compatibility page to view compatible devices.

Accept Payments

Review the steps below on accepting Tap to Pay on Android payments in Square Point of Sale, Square Appointments, Square Invoices and Square for Restaurants.

In the Square Point of Sale app

  1. Navigate to Checkout and add items from your Library or use the Keypad to enter a custom amount.
  2. Tap Review Sale and then tap Charge.
  3. Select Tap to Pay by Android and have your customer select a tip amount, if applicable.
    • If you don’t see the Tap to Pay by Android payment option, select Enable Tap to Pay by Android or check that you’ve successfully enabled NFC in your device settings.
  4. On the checkout screen, you’ll see the reader animation with the message ‘Hold card to back of phone’.
  5. Position your phone close to your customer, and allow them to tap and hold either a card or any NFC-type devices (i.e. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone.
    • You’ll hear an audible beep once the payment is accepted, signifying a successful transaction.
  6. Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.

In the Square Appointments POS app

  1. Navigate to Checkout; Appointments; Go to calendar and select an appointment.
    • You can also add items or services from your Library or use the Keypad to enter a custom amount.
  2. Tap Review and Check Out or Review Sale and then tap Charge.
  3. Select Tap to Pay by Android and have your customer select a tip amount, if applicable.
  4. On the checkout screen, you’ll see the reader animation with the message ‘Hold card to back of phone’.
  5. Position your phone close to your customer, and allow them to tap and hold either a card or any NFC-type devices (i.e. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone.
    • You’ll hear an audible beep once the payment is accepted, signifying a successful transaction.
  6. Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.

In the Square Invoices POS app

Note: If the Invoice is already created, start from step five.

  1. Navigate to Invoices and tap the ‘+’ option to start creating an Invoice.
  2. Add customers and items to your invoice.
  3. Tap Preview and send; Send Invoice.
  4. Tap X on the confirmation screen.
  5. Tap the created invoice from the Invoices tab.
  6. Tap Add payment; choose the amount; Next.
  7. Choose Tap to Pay by Android.
  8. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the payment.

In the Square for Restaurants POS app

  1. Tap New Sale or enter an existing bill.
  2. Add items.
  3. Tap Pay and enter the Ticket Number; Next, if applicable, or tap Skip.
  4. Select Tap to Pay by Android and follow the on-screen prompts.
  5. Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.

Note: If you attempt to process a payment using tap with a mobile wallet that is over $100 with a physical contactless eftpos card or over $250 with a physical contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), your customer will be prompted to enter the card PIN to complete the transaction. This is due to the cardholder verification method (CVM) limits set by the card issuer.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Tap to Pay on Android via our FAQ.

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