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Get Started with Tap to Pay on Android

Accept contactless payments on the go anywhere 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 cards wherever you are. Simply enter an amount, tap charge and then ask your customer to tap their NFC card or device with Tap to Pay by Android 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 1.75% + VAT. This payment method is compatible with all contactless cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Accept any Irish-issued and most international contactless cards with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro, Visa Electron or V Pay logo. To check if a card is contactless, look for the contactless symbol.

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

Tap to Pay on Android has a per-transaction limit for contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) of €25,000 and a per-transaction limit for physical contactless cards of €50.

Android Settings for Tap to Pay on Android

To manage the settings on your Android device for Tap to Pay on Android:

  1. Ensure that your phone is running Android 9 or higher. 

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

  3. Toggle on NFC to enable. Toggle off NFC to disable.

  4. Ensure that '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.

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).

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

  2. Tap Settings and then tap Hardware.

  3. 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 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.

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.

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 and ask your customer to select a tip amount, if applicable.
    • If you don’t see the Tap to Pay payment option, select Enable Tap to Pay or check that you 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 (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone.
    • You will 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 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 and ask your customer to 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 (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Apple Watch, etc.) to the back of the phone.
    • You will 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 app:

Note: If the Invoice is already created, start from step #5.

  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.
  8. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the payment.

In the Square for Restaurants 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 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 €50 with a physical contactless card, you’ll be presented with a few options:

  • Require a signature from your customer.

  • Insert payment card into a connected reader.

  • Tap with mobile wallet.

  • Choose a different payment method.

    • If Manual Credit Card Entry is chosen, the per transaction fee is 2.5%. Note: Liability for any fraudulent transactions will be the responsibility of the seller.

This is due to the Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) limits set by the card issuer. Payments over this limit may also decline automatically or prompt you to use a different card.

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

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