You approach the counter to make payment using Google Pay only to discover it is impossible. There is nothing more disheartening than being stranded at a grocery store or restaurant and having your payment channels fail. If you were told your phone was the problem when you tried to pay using Google Pay, chances are that a lack of NFC functionality on your phone was identified as the cause. In this article, can you use Google Pay without NFC, I will show you whether it is possible to use Google Pay without NFC.
Can you use Google Pay without NFC?
Yes, you can use Google Pay without NFC. Even though Google Pay only works with phones that have NFC, if yours doesn’t have it, there is a way out. There are a number of alternative ways to use Google Pay without NFC.
In this article, I am going to show you how to use Google Pay without NFC, other Google Pay alternatives that do not require NFC, and the possibility of installing NFC in a non-NFC phone. Here goes everything.
How to use Google Pay without NFC
If your phone doesn’t support NFC, you may be unable to use Google Pay to make contactless payments. Here’s how to use Google Pay even if you do not have a phone that uses NFC:
Google Pay Send
Google Pay feature on websites and applications
Google Mail
I am going to explain how each of these processes works. If your phone doesn’t support NFC, you can make do with any of the methods I am about to explain.
Google Pay Send
Google Pay Send is a Google pay feature that allows you to make payments seamlessly. It was previously known as Google Wallet and it still allows people to send money to other Google Pay users just by providing very simple information.
How to Use Google Pay Send
Visit Google pay send or pay.google.com
Enter the amount you want to send
Add your payment method
Enter the recipient’s email address, phone number, or name
Confirm your payment by double-checking every piece of information provided
Click send again.
Google Pay on websites
Google Pay can be integrated into websites. If you are buying from a store or coffee shop or cafe or restaurant that accepts Google Pay, you would be able to use the Google Pay button on their websites to pay for what you want.
How to Pay Using Google Pay Feature on Websites
To pay with Google Pay on a website:
Open the browser of a participating merchant
Look for Google pay at checkout: you will see a “Buy with Gpay” button
Tap on the button
Next, select a payment method
Provide shipping address
Tap Confirm
Google Pay in Apps
Just like websites, Google Pay can be integrated into mobile applications. Organizations like Kayak, Uber, and other eateries have integrated Google Pay services in their mobile apps. If you are patronizing an organization that has Google Pay integrated into its app, you can use that to pay even without NFC.
How to pay using Google Pay Feature on Apps
To use Google pay in an app:
Open the app you intend to use
Look for Google pay at checkout: you will see a “Buy with Google” button
Tap on the Google Pay button
Confirm your payment.
Google Mail
Gmail is a surprising addition to this list. You may be wondering how Gmail meets the list of alternatives to use Google Pay if one has a phone without NFC. It will interest you to know that just like you send emails through Gmail, you can send money from your Google Pay account through Gmail.
How to send money through Gmail
To send money through Gmail, follow the steps below:
Use the Gmail connected to your Google Pay account and compose an email to the receiver of the money you’re about to send
Tap the dollar icon close to the attachment or the Google Drive icon
Enter the amount you want to send
Enter your payment method
Send
And like an email, your money would be sent to the recipient.
Mobile Payments apps without NFC
Instead of going through all this stress to use Google Pay, there’re other mobile payment apps that do not require NFC before payment can be made. These include:
Samsung Pay
PayPal
Venmo
Square Cash App
If you’re going to use any of the listed mobile payment options, do a background check to confirm if the store you intend to use any of these payment options accepts such.l
How to Install NFC on Non-NFC phone
Apparently, not all phones come with NFC services. This being a confirmed fact, is it possible to install NFC on a non-NFC phone?
No, you cannot install NFC on a non-NFC phone. This is because NFC is a hardware-dependent option. It requires an NFC receiver and beamer at the backside of your device usually at the back battery cover. It, therefore, means that if your phone doesn’t have this feature installed by the manufacturer it will be impossible to enable it on your phone as NFC isn’t a software feature.
Can I use Samsung Pay without NFC?
Yes, you can use Samsung Pay without NFC. Instead of NFC, you can use MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) to pay at different stores. However, not all Samsung devices support this feature.
How to use Samsung Pay MST:
Samsung Pay with MST is a technology that wirelessly transmits magnetic waves from your Samsung device to a card reader. This allows you to make payments by simply unlocking your phone and bringing it close enough to a card reader. This act activates and completes your payment transaction.
What is the importance of NFC?
Near Field Communication is an advanced tech that allows two NFC-enabled devices to connect with other within close proximity. The two devices don’t need to come in contact but they must both be NFC-enabled to ensure perfect communication. It is this technology that allows for contactless payment without which contactless payment will be practically impossible.
FAQs
How do I activate NFC on Android?
Open the Settings app on your Android phone
Select Connected devices.
Tap Connection preferences.
You’ll see the NFC option if your phone is NFC enabled. Tap on it
Turn on the use of NFC
Is NFC the same as Google Pay?
NFC is a technology that allows for contactless payment. If you’re going to use Google Pay contactless payment method then you must have NFC enabled on your Android. Without NFC enabled you will not be able to use Google Pay contactless payment method.
Final Thoughts on Can You Use Google Pay without NFC?
Can I use Google pay without NFC? The answer is yes. There are other ways of using Google pay without going through NFC, these include, Google Pay Send, Google Pay on Websites, Google Pay in apps, and Gmail. Additionally, there’re other mobile payment apps that do not need NFC to make payments which I have outlined in this article