Google Wallet Tap to Pay Not Working? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• NFC turned off, or a phone that doesn’t support NFC
• An NFC signal interrupted by moving the phone too quickly, holding it too far from the reader or a thick phone case
• A purchase verified with an unlock method that isn’t supported
• A terminal that doesn’t support contactless payments for your card’s network
• A rooted, modified or uncertified phone, or one running a developer version of Android
• An issue with your card that leads your bank to decline the transaction

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the first step and work down the list, trying a payment again after each one.

1. 1

   Step 1: Turn on NFC

   Contactless payments only work when near field communication (NFC) is turned on.

   Near field communication (NFC) must be turned on to make contactless payments.

   On your Android phone, open the Settings app. Tap Connected devices, then Connection preferences, then NFC, and tap On.

   Good to know

   If Google Wallet shows “Turn on NFC to pay with Wallet” above your card, your phone either doesn’t support NFC or has it turned off.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check your card in Google Wallet

   The message above your card in Google Wallet shows whether your card is ready to tap and pay.

   Open the Google Wallet app. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Account, then Payment setup.

   Check the message above your card. If there’s no message, your card is ready to tap and pay.

   • Card not set up: above your card, tap Finish setup, then follow the on-screen instructions and verify your payment method.
   • Turn on NFC to pay with Wallet: your phone either doesn’t support NFC or has it turned off.
   • Card suspended: there’s an issue with your card. To fix it, contact your bank.

   Good to know

   You must have a payment method in a supported country.

3. 3

   Step 3: Set Google Wallet as your default payment app

   Google Wallet must be your phone’s default payment app to tap and pay.

   Open the Settings app. Tap Connected devices, then Connection preferences, then NFC. Tap Contactless payments, then select Google Wallet.

   Google also suggests making sure your Google Wallet app is up to date. To update it, open the Google Play Store app, tap the profile icon at the top right, then tap Manage apps & devices. Under “Updates available,” choose to update Google Wallet.

4. 4

   Step 4: Unlock your phone with a supported screen lock

   Before you can pay, you need to confirm it’s you with your Android screen lock.

   You can tap the terminal when your phone is unlocked, even when the Google Wallet app isn’t open.

   If your phone asks you to enter a PIN when you tap, you tried to verify the purchase with an unlock method that’s not supported. Enter your Android screen lock PIN on your phone. Don’t enter your card PIN on the terminal.

   To avoid this, use a supported Android screen lock method. You can also open the Google Wallet app before a purchase, and if needed, you’ll find a prompt in the app to verify the purchase.

   You can verify it’s you in Google Wallet with a:

   • PIN
   • Pattern
   • Password
   • Fingerprint or class 3 biometrics face unlock, if your device supports it

   Good to know

   Even if your phone is unlocked, you may be asked to unlock it again if too much time has passed since your last authentication.

5. 5

   Step 5: Set a screen lock

   Google Wallet needs a screen lock on your phone to make contactless payments.

   Open your phone’s Settings app and tap Security & privacy. Tap Device unlock, then Screen lock. Select the screen lock method you want to use and follow the on-screen instructions.

   If you already set a lock, you need to enter your PIN, pattern or password before you can select a different one.

   Good to know

   If you don’t find “Security,” you can get help at your phone manufacturer’s support site.

6. 6

   Step 6: Hold your phone closer and longer

   The NFC signal can be interrupted mid-transaction, which leads to a try again error on the terminal.

   Moving the phone too quickly, keeping it too far from the reader or having a thick phone case can interrupt the NFC signal mid-transaction.

   Hold your phone closer to the payment reader and leave it resting against the terminal for a few extra seconds. If it still doesn’t work, try holding your phone in a different way.

   If the payment doesn’t go through, find the NFC sign on the terminal or ask a cashier for help.

   Good to know

   When a payment is successful, a blue check mark appears on your phone’s screen.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check the terminal if it asks for your physical card

   A request to swipe or insert your card after you tap usually points to a security fallback or an unsupported card network.

   A terminal might support contactless payments for some networks, like Visa or Mastercard, but not the network of the card you’re using, like Amex or Discover, even if it accepts that network by chip or swipe.

   Make sure your phone is unlocked and try to pay again. You can also open the Google Wallet app before you make the purchase, and verify the purchase in the app if you’re asked to.

   If you’re at a self-service terminal, try pressing “X” to reset the transaction. Otherwise, ask the cashier for help.

   Good to know

   Some terminals might not accept certain cards, so you can also try a different payment method.

8. 8

   Step 8: Fix a payment the cashier says didn’t work

   If your phone shows a check mark but the cashier says the payment didn’t work, Google suggests a few checks.

   If the cashier says your payment was declined, there may be an issue with your card and your bank may have declined the transaction. If the transaction is declined, you aren’t charged.

   If a check mark appears on your phone but the cashier says the payment didn’t work, try the following:

   • Try a different payment reader.
   • Confirm that the store accepts mobile payments.
   • Contact your bank to find out if there’s an issue with your card.
   • Try a different payment method.
9. 9

   Step 9: Check that your phone meets security requirements

   If your phone isn’t certified or doesn’t meet security requirements, you can’t make contactless payments.

   To check if your phone is Play Protect certified, open the Google Play Store app. At the top right, tap the Profile icon, then tap Settings, then About.

   Google Wallet may not work in stores with phones that:

   • Run developer versions of Android
   • Are rooted, run a custom ROM or have modified factory software
   • Are untested and haven’t been approved by Google
   • Have an unlocked bootloader

   Good to know

   Due to security risks, Google Wallet doesn’t run on rooted phones, phones with a custom ROM or phones with modified factory software.

Frequently Asked Questions