Most recently, in May of this year, Russians were able to get acquainted with the technology of contactless payments on phones running the Android operating system. The main competitors of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay started six months earlier, but the huge reach of devices that Android Pay supports can play into the hands of Google and help it 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, is it safe to use and what difficulties users of the service had to face.
System Requirements
First of all, you should find out which devices Android Pay works on. The requirements that Google makes are not too high. Your phone must have an NFC chip installed (to make payments) and Android version 4.4 (to install the Android Pay application). Everything seems simple, but in fact there are a number of restrictions that can interfere with enabling Android Pay:
- Firstly, the service only works on gadgets that run official firmware (developer versions and less popular assemblies are not supported).
- Wo-secondly, there is a list of smartphones on which Android Pay cannot be enabled. These are Nexus 7, Elephone P9000, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Light and S3.
As for the terminals, everything is quite simple. Any terminal that supports PayPass or PayWave technology is suitable for payment. Such terminals are installed in almost any, not even the most prestigious store or point of sale.
What banks and cards does it work with?
Just like in the case of other payment systems, Android Pay started with only a part of the banks operating in Russia. Fortunately, among them are all the most popular institutions that are in great demand: Raiffeisen Bank, Russian Standard, Rocketbank, Otkritie, Sberbank, Tinkoff, a number of other lesser-known organizations and the payment service from Yandex . The situation with shops is not worse. Almost all popular retail chains have shown interest in the new technology and have pledged to support its work. This is only natural, since these same networks are already working with Apple and Samsung.
How to connect?
On which phones Android Pay works, we figured out, now you need to connect this service. If you have already paid for any of the Google services and linked your bank card to your Google account, then by installing the Android Pay application, you will immediately find them in the list. If there are no linked cards, then you will have to enter all the details yourself. You can use the built-in credit card scanner, but it often goes wrongwith a number (it is not clear why Google could not bring the technology to mind).
Before you add a card, do not forget to set a password on your device, otherwise Android Pay will respond with an error and prohibit anything from paying. After adding the card, you will need to confirm it. You can confirm the card using an SMS code or by calling the bank's technical support service and verifying that you are connecting your card to a mobile payment system. For confirmation, you will be charged 30 rubles, but after a while they will return it.
Safety
Your card data is stored on Google servers and securely encrypted on them. For payment, not your real details are used, but specially formed sets of numbers - tokens. This does not mean that you need a constant connection to the servers to work. No, tokens are created on servers but then uploaded to each individual device and stored there until any payment is made. In devices from Apple and Samsung, a separate physical space is allocated for storing tokens, which significantly increases the level of security. Plus, Android Pay, one way or another, will ask for access to the Internet when the device runs out of tokens, and this is a significant drawback.
For each purchase, you will need to enter a password, key code or put your finger on the fingerprint scanner (it all depends on which security method is used on your phone). If you disable any of the blocking methods, then all data relating to yourbank cards will be destroyed. If the gadget was lost or stolen, then you can remotely erase information about linked cards. In general, you should not worry about security.
How does Android Pay work?
When working with terminals and paying for purchases in the amount of 1,000 rubles or less, it is 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 put your finger on the fingerprint sensor. You can also use your smart watch to pay.
Android Pay works both in physical outlets and online. Many do not go to stores at all and make purchases on websites or in applications, so Google is concerned about introducing the technology there too. For Android Pay to work on the site, the technology must be supported by the owner of the resource. The buyer needs to find a button with a green robot and the inscription Pay and click on it. Immediately after that, it will be redirected to the application itself, where, just as in the case of payment in real life, you will need to remove the lock and confirm the operation. That's all, the site or application will instantly understand that the order has been paid and place it.
Possible problems
The most popular question that has been floating around the web after the launch of the payment system is “why does Android Pay not work on Xiaomi”. The problem really exists, and all owners of Chinese gadgets have faced it. Yes, Android Pay does not work on Meizu either. Causelies in the international firmware that users put in order to translate the interface language into Russian.
Another problem that users face is the return of goods. The fact is that the token that hides your details will be saved only for one terminal, and in order to make a return, you will have to look for exactly that terminal.
Promotions and discounts
The launch of each payment system is accompanied by discounts and promotions that are designed to popularize the service among the masses and make people try it at least once. Of the well-known promotions today, it is worth highlighting a 50% discount on travel in the Moscow metro. 50% discount on the Aeroexpress ticket and the same discount on the purchase of any burger in the Burger King fast food chain. It all works as follows - you pay the full cost for a ticket or any other product, and for some time half of the amount is returned to your card. This means that in the absence of the required amount, you will not be able to use the promotion.
How to enable Android Pay on a jailbroken phone?
Owners of some devices on which an unstable or hacked version of the operating system is installed faced a number of problems when entering bank card data. The fact is that Google (for security reasons) prohibits the use of financial applications in any Android systems other than the original one. The problem can be solved by cheating the Android Pay program. To do this, you need to hide from her information about hacking the system. So to startyou will need the Magisk Manager utility, which will allow you to install and update the Magisk program. After opening the Magisk program, find the item Magisk Hide in it and activate it. Reboot the gadget and turn on Magisk Manager again. A list of programs from which you can hide the fact of hacking will appear. Find Android Pay and turn it off. Once you do this, restart your device and try using the payment system again. Just in case, check if Android Pay works with your phone (maybe Magisk won't help).
Instead of a conclusion
So what do we have? Another payment system that was launched too late or a really worthy product that people will like? Rather, the second, because with its army of Google fans, it can easily compete on an equal footing with Apple and Samsung (given the fact that Android Pay works both on Google devices and on Samsung devices). And the people themselves are ready for a new step in this direction. Bank cards are convenient, but the younger generation is much more likely to hold a smartphone in their hands, which means they will be more willing to pay with it. Discounts also played an important role, perhaps promotions will be repeated, and user interest will be actively fueled for a long time.
Pros of the service:
- Too many devices with Android Pay.
- Different payment protection options.
- Discounts and promotions.
Cons of the service:
- Does not work onjailbroken devices.
- Tokens for payment are stored only on Google servers.
