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 by 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 have your customer tap their NFC card or device with tap-to-pay capabilities to complete the transaction.

Tap to Pay by 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 by Android will pay a per - transaction processing fee of 2.6% + 10¢ 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 2.5% + 10¢. This payment method is compatible with all contactless cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Accept any US-issued and most internationally-issued cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. To know if a card is contactless, look for the “wave” symbol.

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

Tap to Pay by 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 cards of $10,000.

Android Settings for Tap to Pay by Android

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

Ensure that your phone is running Android 9 or higher.
Navigate to your device Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments.
Toggle on NFC to enable. Toggle off NFC to disable.
Ensure 'Developer options' are turned off in your phone settings.

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 by Android.

Manage App Settings for Tap to Pay by Android

You can enable/disable Tap to Pay by 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 same phone models may be compatible with Tap to Pay by 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 by Android payments in Square Point of Sale, Square Appointments, Square Invoices, and Square for Restaurants.

In the Square Point of Sale app:

Navigate to Checkout and add items from your Library or use the Keypad to enter in 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 NFC type devices (i.e. 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.
Once the payment is complete, allow your customer to choose their desired receipt method.

In the Square Appointments app:

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 in 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 NFC type devices (i.e. 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.
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.

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.

In the Square for Restaurants app:

Tap New Sale or enter an existing check.
Add items
Tap Pay and enter the Ticket Number > Next, if applicable, or tap Skip.
Select Tap to Pay by Android and follow the on-screen prompts.
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 $10,000 with a physical contactless card, you’ll be prompted to insert the payment card (if your reader is connected), tap with mobile wallet or use manual card entry (3.5% + 15¢). 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 by Android via our FAQ.