This article explains how to set up and use Samsung Pay. The Samsung Pay app comes pre-installed on all supported Galaxy, Galaxy Edge, and Galaxy Note devices.
How to Set Up Samsung Pay on Your Phone
Before you can pay for goods and services using Samsung Pay, you must sign-up through the app and add a payment card or account. Be sure you have the credit or debit card handy that you want to use before starting this process.
- Open the Samsung Pay app and accept the terms and conditions, then tap Get Started. You’ll be required to set up a Samsung account if you don’t already have one.
- If there’s a problem with the app, reinstall Samsung Pay from the Google Play store.
- The app will ask you to register a PIN, fingerprint scan, or iris scan to use as authentication. If you already have a Samsung account set up on the device, you should be able to select existing pass methods.
- In the Cards section, tap + Credit/debit unless you have another form of payment you want to use.
- In the pop-up menu, tap Add credit/debit card.
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- Allow the app permission to access the device camera. When a window appears with a box in the center, position the credit or debit card to sit entirely within the frame. The app should automatically detect the card number and move on to another entry screen.
- Select the Enter Card Manually option below the frame if you’re having trouble getting the card to register. There’s also an option to Add Paypal if you somehow got to this step by accident.
- Double-check to make sure the card number is accurate, and then enter the Cardholder’s Name, the card’s Expiration Date, Security Code, and your Zip Code. When you’re sure the information is correct, tap Next at the bottom right.
- With select cards, you may receive a warning that your card issuer does not support Samsung Pay yet. You’ll need to revisit steps 1 through 5 to add a different card if this happens.
- The app will present you with a Terms of Service agreement for the card you submitted. Accept the terms by choosing Agree to All in the bottom right.
- You will need to verify your card using one of the listed methods. You can either have an SMS sent to your verified phone number or choose to call the bank. You may also dismiss this to complete later, but you will not be able to use the card until you’ve done this.
- If this setup works properly, you should see your payment card listed as a new form of payment within the app. The app should list all credit and debit cards you add under the Cards section.
How to Make a Payment with Your Phone Using Samsung Pay
If you have an accepted form of payment within the Samsung Pay app, you can then use that account to pay for goods and services via your phone.
Open the Samsung Pay app and accept the terms and conditions, then tap Get Started. You’ll be required to set up a Samsung account if you don’t already have one.
If there’s a problem with the app, reinstall Samsung Pay from the Google Play store.
The app will ask you to register a PIN, fingerprint scan, or iris scan to use as authentication. If you already have a Samsung account set up on the device, you should be able to select existing pass methods.
In the Cards section, tap + Credit/debit unless you have another form of payment you want to use.
In the pop-up menu, tap Add credit/debit card.
Allow the app permission to access the device camera. When a window appears with a box in the center, position the credit or debit card to sit entirely within the frame. The app should automatically detect the card number and move on to another entry screen.
Select the Enter Card Manually option below the frame if you’re having trouble getting the card to register. There’s also an option to Add Paypal if you somehow got to this step by accident.
Double-check to make sure the card number is accurate, and then enter the Cardholder’s Name, the card’s Expiration Date, Security Code, and your Zip Code. When you’re sure the information is correct, tap Next at the bottom right.
With select cards, you may receive a warning that your card issuer does not support Samsung Pay yet. You’ll need to revisit steps 1 through 5 to add a different card if this happens.
The app will present you with a Terms of Service agreement for the card you submitted. Accept the terms by choosing Agree to All in the bottom right.
You will need to verify your card using one of the listed methods. You can either have an SMS sent to your verified phone number or choose to call the bank. You may also dismiss this to complete later, but you will not be able to use the card until you’ve done this.
If this setup works properly, you should see your payment card listed as a new form of payment within the app. The app should list all credit and debit cards you add under the Cards section.
- Open the Samsung Pay app and select the payment account or card you wish by tapping on it.
- Choose an authentication method and scan your fingerprint, iris, or enter your unique PIN when prompted to move forward with the transaction.
- After payment has been authorized, hold the back of your phone against the payment terminal or register. The first time you do this will seem weird and awkward, but you’ll get used to triggering your phone to be ready to pay and where to place the phone near the terminal. You should see a small notification appear with the transaction details, including the merchant name and total payment amount.
- If you choose a debit card, you will still need to enter your bank card PIN on the payment terminal just as you would when using the card to pay.
Which Phones Are Samsung Pay Compatible?
Samsung Pay is available exclusively on the company’s smartphones. It works with most budget to mid-range to flagship phones, including the Galaxy S series.
Open the Samsung Pay app and select the payment account or card you wish by tapping on it.
Choose an authentication method and scan your fingerprint, iris, or enter your unique PIN when prompted to move forward with the transaction.
After payment has been authorized, hold the back of your phone against the payment terminal or register. The first time you do this will seem weird and awkward, but you’ll get used to triggering your phone to be ready to pay and where to place the phone near the terminal. You should see a small notification appear with the transaction details, including the merchant name and total payment amount.
If you choose a debit card, you will still need to enter your bank card PIN on the payment terminal just as you would when using the card to pay.
Samsung keeps an up-to-date list of phones compatible with Samsung Pay.
Where Is Samsung Pay Accepted?
Unlike some of its rivals—Apple Pay and Google Pay, for instance—Samsung Pay is purported to work just about anywhere. Most mobile contactless systems require a modern register that supports NFC or Bluetooth. According to Samsung, however, Pay should work even with older magnetic-stripe terminals like the standalone payment devices independent vendors tend to use.
Samsung Pay is compatible with NFC magnetic-stripe and EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) terminals, including chip-based cards. The exception is readers that require you to insert a card like the dated readers on gas pumps and ATMs.
Samsung Pay supports all major carriers and works in 25 countries around the world, including the United States, UK, China, Franca, Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and more.
If you need even more information, you can visit the official Samsung Pay support page.
What is Samsung Pay?
Samsung Pay is a contactless mobile payment system, available across all of the brand’s newer smartphones—from Galaxy Note 5 and up.
The purpose of the app is pretty simple. It’s a digital wallet designed to store payment options, including credit, debit, and various rewards cards. Provided you’re at a retailer or store that accepts contactless payments; you can tap or swipe your phone quickly to pay for goods.
It’s a super convenient and relatively quick way to pay for goods and services, negating the need to pull out your wallet or remove payment cards from a handbag.
It’s not the only mobile payment system you can use, however. Similar apps include Google Pay, Apple Pay on Apple’s smartphones, Paypal and Venmo.
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