What is Tap to Pay?
Tap to Pay transforms your Android device into a contactless payment terminal using its built-in NFC chip. No additional hardware needed—customers simply tap their contactless card or mobile wallet to complete payment.
Fast
2-4 second transactions
Secure
EMV-compliant encryption
No Hardware
Uses device NFC
Accepted Payment Methods
Contactless Cards
- • Visa contactless
- • Mastercard contactless
- • American Express contactless
- • Discover contactless
Mobile Wallets
- • Apple Pay
- • Google Pay
- • Samsung Pay
- • Other NFC wallets
Note: Chip-insert and magnetic stripe cards are not supported with Tap to Pay. Use a card reader for those payment types.
Device Requirements
Technical Requirements
Android 11 or higher
Tap to Pay requires Android API level 30+
NFC-enabled device
Check: Settings → Connected devices → NFC
Google Mobile Services
Device must have Google Play Store
Non-rooted device
Tap to Pay won't work on rooted devices for security
Compatibility Check
Not all devices support Tap to Pay. Some older or budget Android devices may lack the necessary NFC hardware or security features.
Setting Up Tap to Pay
- 1
Enable NFC on your device
Go to Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC
Toggle NFC to ON
- 2
Install Stripe Terminal SDK
The WaveTab POS app includes Stripe Terminal integration
- 3
Initialize Terminal in app
The app will automatically detect NFC capability and enable Tap to Pay
✓ You'll see a "💳 Tap to Pay (NFC)" button when Tap to Pay is available
- 4
Test with a contactless card
Process a test transaction to verify everything works
Processing a Payment
Payment Flow
- 1.Add items to order - Build the customer's order as usual
- 2.Select tip amount - Customer chooses tip percentage
- 3.Tap "💳 Tap to Pay (NFC)" - Initiates payment process
- 4.Wait for "Tap Card Now" screen - Device is ready to accept payment
- 5.Customer taps card - Hold contactless card near back of device (usually upper back)
- 6.Payment processes - Device vibrates/beeps when card detected
- 7.Receipt generated - Digital receipt sent to customer
Pro Tip: The NFC antenna is usually located in the upper back of the device. Try different positions if the card isn't detected immediately.
Pricing
Hardware Cost
$0
Uses your device's built-in NFC chip
Transaction Fees
2.7% + 5¢
Same as card-present transactions
No monthly subscription fees, no setup costs, no additional hardware purchases required.
Troubleshooting
"Tap to Pay not available" message
This means your device doesn't meet requirements. Check:
- Android version is 11 or higher
- Device has NFC enabled
- Google Mobile Services installed
- Device is not rooted
Card not detected when tapped
Try these steps:
- Remove any phone case that might block NFC
- Hold card flat against the back of device
- Try different positions (NFC antenna location varies)
- Ensure card is contactless-enabled (look for contactless symbol)
"Failed to connect reader" error
This usually indicates:
- Stripe Terminal SDK not properly initialized
- Internet connection issues
- NFC temporarily disabled
Restart the app and try again.
Payment declined
Common reasons:
- Insufficient funds
- Card expired
- Contactless limit exceeded (try chip insert instead)
- Card issuer declined
Tap to Pay vs Traditional Readers
| Feature | Tap to Pay | Card Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost | $0 | $50-300 |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Card Types | Contactless only | All types |
| Transaction Speed | 2-4 seconds | 3-6 seconds |
| Portability | Built-in | Separate device |
Ready to Accept Contactless Payments?
Enable Tap to Pay on your Android device today