Android Pay
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: July 14th, 2023
Android Pay is the default mobile wallet app for Android users. It comes pre-loaded on many Android phones and is easy to download from the Google Play Store if it is not a pre-loaded app. Being that Android Pay is a part of the Android family, it provides the same support Android users are accustomed to. From their help website, users can request support via live chat, email, or by requesting a phone call. This mobile wallet allows users to make purchases with their phone using their choice of many of their existing credit or debit cards. The card information is as easy to enter into the app as taking a picture. Android Pay is very straightforward and allows users to make purchases at a large number of merchants with a contactless payment app.
Top Ranked Companies
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Venmo
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6.4 Overall Score
4.4
#2
Apple Pay
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(191)
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Paypal
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(202)
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The Good
- Available in many locations
- Payment process
- Security
Available in Many Locations
Android Pay is available at over a million retail locations in the U.S. Many of the locations which offer Android Pay as a method of payment include stores which are those which customers visit regularly, such as:- Chevron
- Macy's
- CocaCola
- McDonalds
- Lego
- Babies R Us
- jetBlue
- Subway
- Staples
- Fresh Market
- Petco
- Foot Locker
- Jamba Juice
- And more
- Bank of America
- Capital One (coming soon)
- Citi
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- PNC
- Regions
- USAA
- Wells Fargo
- USBank
Payment Process
The payment process for using Android Pay is much simpler than swiping a card. To begin using Android Pay, eligible cards must first be added to the app. This can be done by taking a picture of the card or manually entering the information. The first card entered will be automatically assigned as the "default payment card" and all purchases made with Android Pay will charge to this card unless users change their default card. This is done easily by opening the app, selecting the new desired default card, and selecting "set as default card." Payment can be completed with any card which is stored in the app by simply opening the app and selecting the card at the time of purchase. The user does not need to be in the app to make payments with Android Pay. To make a purchase, all that needs to happen is to unlock the NFC phone and hold the back of the phone to the contactless payment terminal. If asked, the user needs to always select "credit," no matter what type of card is being used. The transaction will then be completed and will show up in the Android Pay app to review the details. Android Pay allows users to continue to earn rewards on their eligible rewards credit or debit cards. Users may add physical gift cards to their Android Pay app as well and use balances stored at many retailers which accept contactless payment with Android Pay.Security
Android has a few different security measures in place to keep their users safe from fraud. If the user does not have a lock screen enabled on their devie, the app requires for this feature to be active. Android Pay stores all payment information on secure and encrypted servers. Financial information is not stored on the phone, nor is it shared with merchants. When making purchases, a virtual account number is used rather than the actual card number. This way, the card information is not stored on the phone and is not being passed to different merchants. As soon as a purchase is made, payment details appear on the app so that the user can confirm and be sure that they are the ones that made the different purchases. With Android Device Manager, the users are able to lock their phone from anywhere, secure it with a new password, or wipe it completely clean of information if the device is ever lost or stolen.The Bad
- Device support
- Customer complaints
Device Support
Android Pay is accepted at many locations and compatible with many financial institutions. However, it is not supported by a large number of devices. Most conspicuously, an iOS user cannot use the Android Pay app on their Apple devices. Windows phones are not compatible either. Android Pay is only compatible with devices running Android KitKat 4.4 or higher, it also needs to have NFC and HCE support. Because it is a specific type of phone, and only newer versions of that phone, only specific Android users would be able to use Android Pay, and not anyone with a mobile device.Customer Complaints
Interestingly, customers have complained about the security feature of having a forced lock screen on their devices, saying that the feature is not appealing to them, nor is it something which they want on their device. Aside from allowing customers to continue to earn with their various rewards credit cards, members do not earn rewards or incentives for using Android Pay.The Bottom Line
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Amanda George IL
Wonderful tool to have. Android pay is well worth the time and money put into it. I have never had any issues with it, my only challenge is that when I send money to my wallet, it takes a couple hours to transfer. Otherwise a great service to use! Well worth it.
1 year ago
Thomas Nuffer Orem, UT
If you have an Android phone and you want to pay with ease, this is what you should use. All you have to do is hook up your card info, then you can tap to pay with many restaurants and things that use NFC capable payment.
3 years ago
DrippGang Chicago, IL
This is an alright feature.
But it's not acceptable every where. And some retailer's don't lnow how to use a smart phone in regards to excepting payments from one.
4 years ago
Kenneth Okerlund
App is default installed on my phone and I cannot get rid of it. It constantly keeps sending me notifications even though I have marked it to not do that. I tried using the app but it never properly completed transactions so I stopped using it and can't seem to get it to go away completely.
7 years ago
j e Albuquerque, NM
this is an app forced on the user , i do not own and i dont want a credit card.if you want to be safe buying online go to walmart and buy a card with the amount you want to spend only! useless app and a security risk.
7 years ago
Review Source
Maria West Valley City, UT
Android pay is ok not very trust worthy it’s appears they are a little outdated would not recommend
4 years ago
