Android Pay: How does it work and how do I use it?

Most recently, in May this year, Russians were able to learn the technology of contactless payments on phones running the Android operating system. The main competitors Apple Pay and Samsung Pay started six months earlier, but the huge coverage of devices that support Android Pay can play into the hands of Google and help it to win a new audience. In this article, we will consider a new application for Android smartphones. How Android Pay works, how it differs from its competitors, whether it is safe to use it and what difficulties users of the service had to face.

System requirements

For starters, it's worth finding out which devices Android Pay works on. The demands made by Google are not too high. Your phone should have an NFC chip (for making payments) and Android version 4.4 (for installing the Android Pay application). It seems that everything is simple, but in fact there are a number of limitations that can prevent you from enabling Android Pay:

• First, the service only works on those gadgets that operate under the official firmware (versions for developers and little-popular assemblies are not supported).
• Secondly, there is a list of smartphones on which it is impossible to enable Android Pay. This Nexus 7, Elephone P9000, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Light and S3.

As for the terminals, then everything is quite simple. To pay for any terminal that supports PayPass or PayWave technology. Such terminals are installed in almost any, not even the most prestigious store or point of sale.

What banks and maps does it work with?

Just like in the case of other payment systems, Android Pay started only with a part of banks operating in Russia. Fortunately, among them are all the most popular institutions in high demand: Raiffeisen Bank, Russian Standard, Rocket Bank, Discovery, Sberbank, Tinkoff, a number of other lesser-known organizations and a payment service from Yandex ". With the shops the situation is not worse. Almost all popular retail chains have shown interest in the new technology and committed to supporting its work. This is quite natural, since these same networks are already working with Apple and Samsung.

How to connect?

On which phones Android Pay works, we now need to connect this service. If you already paid for any of the Google services and tied your bank card to your Google account, then by installing the Android Pay app, you'll immediately find them in the list. If there are no bound cards, then you will have to enter all the details yourself. You can use the built-in credit card scanner, but it often makes mistakes with the number (it's unclear why Google could not bring the technology to mind).

Before you add the card, do not forget to set the password on your device, otherwise Android Pay will respond with an error and prohibit paying anything. After adding a card, you will need to confirm it. You can confirm the card by SMS or by calling the bank's technical support service and verifying that you are connecting your card to the mobile payment system. For confirmation from you will take 30 rubles, but after a while they will return.

Security

Your card data is stored on Google servers and encrypted securely on them. For payment, not your real requisites are used, but specially formed sets of digits are tokens. This does not mean that you need a permanent connection to servers to work. No, tokens are created on servers, but then uploaded to each individual device and stored there until there is any payment. In devices from Apple and Samsung to store tokens assigned a separate physical space, which significantly increases the level of security. Plus, Android Pay, one way or another, will ask for access to the Internet when the token ends in the device, and this is a significant drawback.

To make each purchase, you will have to enter the password, key code or attach a finger to the fingerprint scanner (it all depends on what method of protection is used on your phone). If you disable any of the locking methods, then all data relating to your bank cards will be destroyed. If the gadget has been lost or stolen, then it is possible to remotely erase the information about the attached cards. In general, for safety you should not worry.

How does Android Pay work?

When working with terminals and paying for a purchase of 1,000 rubles or less, it's enough to turn on the gadget's display and attach it to the terminal. In the case of larger amounts, you will need to enter a password or attach a finger to the fingerprint sensor. You can use smart watches for payment.

Android Pay works, both in physical outlets and online. Many do not go to shops and make purchases on websites or in applications, so Google is concerned about the introduction of technology there. To work Android Pay on the site you need technology support from the owner of the resource. The buyer also needs to find a button with a green robot and the inscription Pay and click on it. Right after that, it will be redirected to the application itself, where, just as in the case of payment in real life, it will be necessary to remove the lock and confirm the operation. On this all, the site or application will instantly realize that the order has been paid and will issue it.

Possible problems

The most popular question that surfaced on the Net after the launch of the payment system is "why does not Android Pay work on Xiaomi." The problem really exists, and all owners of Chinese gadgets have encountered it. Yes, Android Pay does not work on Meizu either. The reason lies in the international firmware that users put to translate the interface language into Russian.

Another problem that users face is the return of goods. The fact is that the token, hiding your requisites, will be kept only for one terminal, and to make a return, it is necessary to search exactly that terminal.

Promotions and discounts

The launch of each payment system is accompanied by discounts and promotions that are designed to popularize services among the masses and make people try it at least once. Of the known today's shares should allocate a 50% discount on travel in the Moscow metro. 50% discount for a ticket for Aeroexpress and the same discount for the purchase of any burger in the fast food chain Burger King. It works like this - you pay the full price for the ticket or any other product, and for some time half of the amount is returned to you on the card. This means that in the absence of the necessary amount to use the stock will not work.

How do I enable Android Pay on a hacked phone?

Owners of some devices on which an unstable or hacked version of the operating system is installed, faced with a number of problems when entering bank card data. The fact is that Google (for security purposes) prohibits the use of financial applications in any Android-systems, other than the original one. The problem can be solved by deceiving the Android Pay program. To do this, you need to hide information about hacking the system from it. So, first, you need the Magisk Manager utility, which will install and update the Magisk program. After opening the Magisk program, find the Magisk Hide item in it and activate it. Reboot the gadget and turn on the Magisk Manager again. A list of programs will appear, from which you can hide the fact of hacking. Find Android Pay and turn it off. Once you do, restart the device and try using the payment system again. Just in case, check if Android Pay works with your phone (maybe Magisk will not help).

Instead of concluding

So, what do we have? Another payment system that was launched too late or is it really worthy of a product that people like? Rather, the second, because your army of fans Google can compete without any problems on an equal footing with Apple and Samsung (given the fact that Android Pay works on both Google's devices and Samsung devices). And the people themselves are ready for a new step in this direction. Bank cards are convenient, but the younger generation more often holds a smartphone in their hands, which means that it will be more willing to pay with it. Discounts also played an important role, perhaps promotional actions will be repeated, and the interest of users will be actively heated for a long time.

Pros of service:

• A huge number of devices that work with Android Pay.
• Different options for protecting payments.
• Discounts and promotions.

Disadvantages of the service:

• Does not work on hacked devices.
• Tokens for payment are stored only on Google servers.