How to use google pay on my phone

• You can use Google Pay in stores to make purchases just using your Android phone.
• If you've set up Google Pay and the NFC feature on your Android is turned on, just hold your phone over the store's card reader.
• In addition to in-store purchases, you can use Google Pay to make purchases online, or send money to friends or family. 

Similar to Apple Pay on iOS devices, you can easily make a payment using Google Pay in the physical stores by holding your Android phone near a compatible payment terminal.

Once you do so, the transaction happens more or less automatically. The process is incredibly convenient.

Here's how to make sure that Google Pay is set up for in-store purchases, and how to actually make that purchase. Just note that although Google Pay is available on iPhones, you can only use it for in-store purchases on an Android.

How to enable in-store purchases in Google Pay

Before anything, you should make sure that you've installed the Google Pay app on your Android, and added at least one payment method.

Once you have the app set up, all you need to do is enable NFC — or "near-field communications" — on your phone. This is what lets it connect to credit card readers in stores.

1. Open the Settings app and tap "Connections," or "Connection preferences," depending on your device.

2. Make sure that "NFC and payment" is turned on by swiping the button to the right. 

3. You'll also have to make sure that Google Pay is set as the default payment method on your phone. On some Androids, this option will be located in the "Connection preferences" section. On the "Connection preferences" page, tap "Contactless payments" under "NFC."

4. Then, select the option for "Payment default: Google Pay."

On other Android phones, the default payment option may be located in the "Apps & Notifications" section of your Settings app. Open the Settings app, tap "Apps & Notifications," and select "Default apps." Then tap "Tap & Pay." Lastly, set Google Pay as the default app. 

How to use Google Pay in a store

When it's time to pay with your card or contactless payment, you should:

1. Unlock your phone, but you don't need to open the Google Pay app. 

2. Position the back of your phone close to the payment terminal for a few seconds. You might need to experiment a bit, since different terminals put the NFC antenna in different locations, but this will get easier with time as you learn what position works for the payment terminals you commonly use. If the terminal has a wireless or contactless payment symbol on it, try putting the phone near that logo. 

3. The Google Pay app should launch automatically, and you may be required to enter your PIN or use the fingerprint reader. 

4. After a moment, you should see a check mark appear, indicating that the purchase is complete. 

If Google Pay doesn't start, try repositioning the phone until it does. You might also want to confirm with the cashier that the terminal actually does support Google Pay — some older terminals don't have contactless payments.

But also keep in mind that just because you don't see a contactless or wireless logo, it doesn't mean the terminal won't support Google Pay. 

How to use Google Pay in online stores

When you're shopping online using your Android phone, you may notice Google Pay as a payment option. If that's the case. here's how to use it.

2. Press the Google Pay payment option.

3. Follow the prompts when you're ready to checkout.

You can also easily send money to others using the Google Pay mobile app. For more information, check out our article, "How to send money through Google Pay using your iPhone or Android."

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to set up and use Google Pay on your Android phone to make contactless payments at thousands of stores

• How to delete your Google Pay account in 5 simple steps

• How to add a boarding pass to your Google Pay app

• How to link your PayPal account to your Google Pay account on an iPhone or Android

• How to send money through Google Pay using your iPhone or Android

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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