Get Started with Tap to Pay on Android
Accept contactless payments anywhere on the go with just your Android phone – no card reader needed. With Tap to Pay on Android, you can securely accept Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and NFC-enabled contactless cards wherever you are. Simply enter an amount, tap charge and then have your customer tap their NFC card or device with tap-to-pay capabilities to complete the transaction.
Tap to Pay on Android is currently available with Square Point of Sale, Square Invoices, Square Appointments and Square for Restaurants.
Pricing, Compatibility and Transaction Limits
Square sellers using Tap to Pay on Android will pay a per-transaction processing fee of 2.65% for credit card payments. This payment method is compatible with all contactless cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Accept any Canadian-issued and most non-Canadian issued contactless cards with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover logo.
For select sellers, we’re currently piloting Tap to Pay on Android using Interac Debit. If you’re interested in participating in Tap to Pay on Android including Interac Debit, please contact Square Support.
To know if a card is contactless, look for the “wave” symbol.
Note: You’ll need to run Android 9 or later to use Tap to Pay on Android.
Tap to Pay on Android has a per-transaction limit for digital wallet payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) of $50,000 and a per-transaction limit for physical contactless cards of $250.
Android Settings for Tap to Pay on Android
To manage the settings on your Android device for Tap to Pay on Android:
Ensure that your phone is running Android 9 or later.
Navigate to your device Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments.
Toggle on NFC to enable.
Toggle off NFC to disable.
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.
Manage App Settings for 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).
From the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen, tap ≡ More.
Tap Settings and then tap Hardware.
Choose Tap to Pay by Android > toggle on to enable.
Toggle off Tap to Pay by Android to disable.
Note: Due to manufacturer’s specification, some 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 option is available. If it is, your device is compatible. If you don’t see the Tap to Pay option, check out our to view compatible devices.
Accepting 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.
- Navigate to Checkout and add items from your Library or use the Keypad to enter a custom amount.
- Tap Review Sale and then tap Charge.
- 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 successfully enabled NFC in your device settings.
- On the checkout screen, you’ll see the reader animation with the message “Hold card to back of phone”.
- Position your phone close to your customer and allow them to tap and hold either a card or any digital wallet (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone. Make sure the contactless payment method is held to the back of the phone for at least five seconds.
- You’ll hear an audible beep once the payment has been accepted, signifying a successful transaction.
- Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.
- 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.
- Tap Review and Check Out or Review Sale and then tap Charge.
- Select Tap to Pay by Android and have your customer select a tip amount, if applicable.
- On the checkout screen, you’ll see the reader animation with the message “Hold card to back of phone”.
- Position your phone close to your customer and allow them to tap and hold either a card or any digital wallet (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone. Make sure the contactless payment method is held to the back of the phone for at least five seconds.
- You’ll hear an audible beep once the payment has been accepted, signifying a successful transaction.
- Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.
- Navigate to Invoices and tap the “+” option to start creating an Invoice.
- Add customers and items to your Invoice.
- Tap Preview and send > Send Invoice.
- Tap X on the confirmation screen.
- Tap the created Invoice from the Invoices tab.
- Tap Add payment > choose the amount > Next.
- Choose Tap to Pay by Android.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the payment.
Note: If you attempt to process a payment using tap with a mobile wallet that’s over $250 with a physical contactless credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover logo), you’ll be presented with a few options:
Require a signature from your customer
Insert payment card into a connected reader.
Tap with digital wallet.
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Choose a different payment method.
If Manual Card Entry is chosen, the per-transaction fee is 3.4% + 15¢. Note: Liability for any fraudulent transactions will be the responsibility of the seller.
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.