The date of the official launch in Russia of the payment service from Google - Android Pay happened on May 23, 2017! Owners of smartphones running the operating system of the same name are happy and, of course, wondering what devices this service works on.
The list of devices that support Android Pay is quite extensive, and this is its advantage over analogues that focus only on one brand.
Android Pay compatibility with your gadget
Your gadget will be fully compatible with only two components. This:
- Operating system Android version KitKat4 and higher. This version works successfully on models of almost any brand released after 2013. You can view the version of your operating system in “Settings” by selecting the “Device Information” sub-item. Read more about this here.
- The developer version of Android won't work either.
- The next point will be the presence on your or another Android gadget of a module that is responsible for contactless data transfer (NFC module). If you don’t know for sure whether such a function exists on, say, a phone, you can find out more information in its technical specifications. In addition, on some smartphones and tablets, the contactless data transfer function must be enabled additionally in the settings. Read about that in our article.
- You don't have to have a rooted smartphone. Also, Android Pay cannot be installed on a smartphone with an unlocked bootloader. In this way, Google strives to protect customers from scammers: devices with an unlocked bootloader are less secure. For more information, see our information. Anything is possible 😉
- The Samsung MyKnox app must not be installed on your phone.
- The device must be certified by Google.
And there are also some phones that seem to be suitable, but nevertheless you will not be able to use the payment service on them:
- Samsung Galaxy: Note III, Light, S3
- Elephone P9000
- Evo 4G LTE
- Nexus 7 (2012)
Well, that’s all, you’ll agree – a little. Today, there are about 40% of Android gadgets with the appropriate characteristics. That is, in addition to almost any smartphone or tablet of the latest generation, the service can be downloaded, for example, to a phone released in 2014. And they can do so at any retail outlet where contactless payments are accepted, and there are a great many of them today. If you want to know, go to the corresponding article.
Bank cards have quietly entered our lives and become part of everyday life. Just a few years ago, payments without cash seemed something unusual. And today everyone uses at least 2-3 cards.
At the same time, progress does not stand still. Contactless payment services are becoming more widespread every day. With their help, you can aggregate all the necessary cards in a smartphone, which you always have with you. In the meantime, the original plastic can be stored in a safe place to avoid damage or loss.
On May 23, 2017, Android Pay, a contactless payment service from Google, began operating in Russia. Unlike competitors, the new application supports all smartphones and tablets with OS version from Android 4.4 KitKat, as well as watches on Android Wear 2.0! To make payments, the device must be equipped with NFC.
How to install Android Pay
Installing and setting up Android Pay is a simple procedure that even a novice user can handle.- First, make sure that your smartphone is equipped with NFC using a special application.
Attention! After adding a new card, a test payment of 30 rubles will be debited from it. After some time, the money will be returned to your account.
You can also add a new card. To do this, you will need all the details: card number, expiration date, security code and holder’s payment address. The number can be removed automatically using a photograph, but the quality of recognition leaves much to be desired.
Unfortunately, performance on some smartphones is not guaranteed. In particular, the service is not available on Xiaomi devices, including those with official firmware and a locked bootloader.
How and where to use Android Pay
Paying using Android Pay is truly convenient! The only requirement for the terminal is support for contactless cards PayPass/PayWave. Already today, old-type terminals are the exception rather than the rule, and every day there are fewer and fewer of them.To pay you need bring the smartphone with the activated display to the POST terminal. The transaction can be performed offline, without an Internet connection. If the payment amount exceeds the safe limit of 1000 rubles, you will have to unlock the device and enter the traditional PIN code.
Unlike traditional cards, the service provides detailed information about each transaction, and information about the location of the terminal is also included.
The practical application of Android Pay is not limited to non-cash payments. Using a special API, application developers can integrate a new payment method. Which in the future will make it easier to pay for services online; the need to enter card details manually each time will disappear.
Residents and guests of the capital have the opportunity to pay for travel on the metro and MCC using a smartphone. Despite the fact that initially there was talk of tariffs at the level of 35 rubles per trip, the fare is 40 rubles, as in the case of using Apple Pay. The Moscow City Hall also “Travel by metro or MCC for 1 ruble in the first month,” however, at the last moment, the conditions changed, the actual discount is 50% of 40 rubles. In practice, the new feature is unstable, presumably due to incompatible validators. And the lucky ones who paid for the metro via smartphone report that the proposed promotion is invalid.
An extremely useful feature is the aggregation of discount and gift cards. The list of partners includes not only large chains, but also small regional stores. In addition to emulating contactless cards, the system is capable of simulating a barcode for reading directly from the display.
How secure is Android Pay?
After a quick acquaintance with the capabilities of the service, a natural question arises about its security. After all, payment is carried out literally in one touch, it seems that unauthorized access can be obtained just as easily. But this is far from true! Android Pay has been working for more than two years in the USA, Great Britain, Australia and some other countries. When launching a service in our country, all accumulated experience is used, which allows us to avoid unforeseen situations.
How Android Pay works
The mechanics of such systems deserve special attention. Payment security is the basis of modern services! The data of the entered cards is not stored explicitly directly in the device’s memory; a special remote storage has been created for them. The smartphone only has an electronic impression, which becomes useless separately from the mobile device, eliminating the threat of data theft. Temporary tokens are used to communicate with the terminal, and any operation is confirmed by the issuing bank. Theoretically, the data intercepted during payment does not contain important information and is intended for one-time authorization.
Also, do not be afraid of unauthorized payment by touching the portable terminal to the smartphone. A turned off smartphone will detect the terminal and notify you with vibration, but to make a payment you will need to activate the display. Or enter a password and PIN code if the payment amount is greater than the secure limit of 1000 rubles.
No matter how reliable the system is, no one is immune from errors, including large corporations. Therefore, additional precautions will not hurt. Rule separate card for online purchases fully applicable to contactless payment services. A special account with a small amount for pocket expenses is the best way out. Transferring additional funds through your bank account if necessary is not so difficult, but the consequences of losing your main card may be irreparable!
Superuser rights in combination with Android Pay completely shifts the responsibility for data safety to the user. By default, the application is blocked on hacked smartphones; security systems are used for verification SafetyNet. Therefore, bypassing the blocking in this situation is a matter of chance; there is no clear method. Wherein, It is highly not recommended to use the service on jailbroken devices, the consequences may be unpredictable!
Conclusion
The launch of Android Pay in Russia is another confirmation that a new era is dawning in the world of payments. Contactless payment is really worth trying for yourself, especially in the summer season, when you don’t want to carry anything unnecessary with you, including traditional means of payment.Android Pay as a service looks quite attractive, primarily due to its wide coverage of user devices at the start. It is worth recognizing that NFC is a common function in the Android world. In addition, many promotional companies are expected in the near future to popularize it, because each of us loves pleasant bonuses and discounts!
And we’ll tell you how to tell if your phone supports Android Pay in this article.
Android operating system
In the modern world, there is a constant increase in the sale of mobile devices from different manufacturers. In Russia, devices running on the Android operating system are especially popular. The official logo of the Android OS and its calling card is a bright green robot, easily recognizable on many devices and even smart watches. Today, devices running Android are most popular in the world.
Which manufacturers produce their Android-based smartphones? The list of companies is very large. This includes manufacturers such as:
- Samsung;
- Xiaomi;
- Acer;
- Sony;
- Lenovo;
- Alcatel;
and many other famous brands. When choosing a mobile device to ensure Android Pay works, you need to pay attention to its technical characteristics.
Features to support Android Pay
In order for you to be able to use the contactless application using your phone, your smartphone must meet the following conditions:
1. Android operating system version. The OS must be at least Android 4.4. Android Pay will also not work on devices running the developer version of Android.
2.The presence of an NFC module in the phone. The NFC module is designed to transfer data from a smartphone to a payment terminal. If you are just going to buy a smartphone, then it is advisable to check its availability with the seller or look at it yourself in the phone settings menu, in the “Wireless Networks” section. To continue working with Android Pay, the NFC module must be activated; this can also be done in the “Settings” - “Wireless Networks” - “NFC” menu.
3. Official Android version. Phones and other Android gadgets that have a third-party operating system installed or have superuser rights (root) will not work with Android Pay. This is a mandatory condition with which Google tries to protect its customers from possible fraudulent schemes. If you are not worried about this, then on our website you can find information on installing Android Pay on a phone with root rights.
Android Pay doesn't work
If Android Pay doesn't work, then check the list of other possible problems why the Android Pay payment service does not work on the phone:
- Android bootloader must be unlocked;
- Android Pay does not work if the Samsung My Knox app is installed;
- A smartphone must be certified by Google to work with Android Pay. Android Pay is not supported on non-Google certified phones.
Which devices does Android Pay not work on?
Despite the suitable characteristics, some phones will still not support the Android Pay contactless payment system. Android Pay is not supported on the:
- Samsung Galaxy Light
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy Note III
- Nexus 7
- P9000 Elephone.
Phones supporting Android Pay
Almost any modern phone with an NFC module installed and a modern version of Android OS (above 4.4) will work with Android Pay. Apple and Samsung also released analogues of the contactless payment service Apple Pay And Samsung Pay, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Check the technical specifications of your mobile device. If everything is in order, you can, and, after which you can start making convenient contactless purchases!
If you have problems with Android Pay, leave a comment!
If you have an Android phone, then I have good news, Android Pay payments have started working in Russia, you can try to pay directly from your phone without taking the card out of your wallet. In principle, it was possible before to pay for purchases using a smartphone on Android, for example, Tinkoff Bank supports such operations, but to do this you need to launch the application every time, confirm the payment, performing unnecessary actions.
Which banks support?
So far, the list of banks consists of such organizations; subsequently it will grow.
- "Alfa Bank";
- Ak Bars Bank;
- "Binbank" (at the time of launch only MasterCard);
- "VTB 24";
- "MTS Bank";
- Otkritie (including Rocketbank and Tochka);
- Promsvyazbank;
- Raiffeisenbank;
- Rosselkhozbank;
- “Russian Standard” (at the time of launch only MasterCard);
- "Sberbank";
- Tinkoff Bank;
- "Yandex.Money" (MasterCard only).
What phones support it?
I’ll be too tired to list all the Android smartphones here, the main thing is that there is NFC support, and the phone has Android 4.4 and higher. In addition, the list of requirements includes the presence of official firmware, no custom ones. Also, the phone must be without root and without an unlocked bootloader. If you don’t know what it is, that’s great, but if you’ve already dug into the phone’s internals, then don’t be surprised that there may be problems. 
NFC works in most mid-range phones, but there are problems with budget models; there are not many options with NFC. It’s clear that if you have a top-end Galaxy or Xiaomi, then this issue is not discussed; you will have NFC.
Accordingly, do not forget to enable NFC in the settings. And don’t worry, this function does not consume battery power.
Where can I get the application?
In theory, the program can be found on Google Play, but at the time of preparation of the material, the utility could not be found by search. I think that after the official launch there should be no problems. Here is the link to the Android Pay app.
How to set up your phone?
The process of setting up the phone is simple, just enter the CVV code and that’s it - the application will take the rest of the card data from your Google account if you previously added a card for purchases on Google Play. If you didn’t add it, then the process will take a little longer. Open the application, enter the card details: number, owner’s name, CVC code. Or use the camera for this, the phone will scan everything itself without unnecessary steps.
Confirmation may also require you to enter your fingerprint and PIN code for added security.
You can enter several cards, and when paying, select the one you need in the application.
Do I need to pay for anything else?
No, the service is free, no commissions or subscription fees.
Where should I shop?
Yes, in principle, anywhere, as long as the terminals support the PayPass and PayWave systems. Bring your phone to the terminal and pay; for purchases up to 1000 rubles, a PIN code is not required, but sometimes you need to indicate it or sign on a receipt. If the operation was successful, you will hear a signal confirming the payment. Then you will receive an SMS with the remaining money on your balance, if, of course, such a service is connected.
It is safe?
Yes. During payment, a one-time code is created, and the card data is not used. Even if someone intercepts this information, it will give the attacker nothing, useless data.
Opinion
I couldn’t add a Sberbank Master Card, but everything was fine with VISA Alfa Bank and Tinkoff.
I have been using Apple Pay for a long time, and from time to time I paid through the Tinkoff app on Android phones. Turning your smartphone into a payment system is a great idea, especially when used in conjunction with a watch. I applied it and moved on; for shopping in stores, I couldn’t think of a way to part with finances more easily. The main thing is that the terminals work and everything is set up, otherwise problems arise from time to time, and some establishments in Moscow still operate only in cash. It’s not possible to completely say goodbye to paper money, but life is becoming more convenient, that’s a fact.
For stores, tech-savvy people are a godsend. Shoppers are more likely to make purchases simply because they like a new way to spend their money. This time. The second point is that people go through the checkouts faster, there is less hassle, more sales. The third point is reliability, simplicity and mobility.
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