How to Set Up Tap to Pay on iPhone & Android: A Step-by-Step Guide for Merchants

Card readers are useful, but they’re also one more piece of hardware to carry, charge, and troubleshoot. The good news? You likely already have a device in your pocket that can accept contactless payments. If your credit card terminal runs out of battery, gets left behind, or suddenly stops cooperating, you can use Tap to Pay on your iPhone or Android phone as a backup, or even replace your reader altogether. Phone-based payment acceptance is growing quickly. Visa reports that smartphones processed more than $33 billion through Tap to Phone in 2025, more than double the previous year.

To set up Tap to Pay for your business, you’ll need three things: an active merchant account, a compatible iPhone or NFC-enabled Android phone, and a payment app that supports Tap to Pay. From there, you can enable the feature in the app, run a quick test transaction, and start accepting contactless cards and digital wallets. For many small businesses, the whole process takes just a few minutes, with no separate card reader or terminal required.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to set up Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, plus what to check if it isn’t working.

What Is Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay lets businesses accept contactless card and digital wallet payments directly on a smartphone using the phone’s built-in NFC technology. There’s no need for a separate card reader or payment terminal.

Customers can tap a contactless credit or debit card, a smartphone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, or a compatible smartwatch. That behavior is already mainstream. Mastercard says 80% of in-person transactions on its network globally are now contactless.

One important distinction: Apple Pay and Google Wallet are tools customers use to make payments. Tap to Pay is a feature merchants use to accept them. Apple calls its merchant feature Tap to Pay on iPhone, while Android supports similar functionality through compatible payment apps.

What You Need Before You Set Up Tap to Pay

You don’t need much to start accepting contactless payments on your phone, but a compatible device is only part of the equation. Before you set up Tap to Pay, make sure you have these five things in place:

1. An active merchant account. Tap to Pay runs through a payment processor, not the phone itself, so you’ll need an account that can process your transactions.
2. A compatible smartphone. For iPhone, that means an iPhone XS or newer. Android phones need built-in NFC capabilities.
3. A payment app that supports Tap to Pay. Download a compatible app, such as the Kurv Merchant App, from the App Store or Google Play.
4. Up-to-date software. Update your phone’s operating system and payment app before getting started. Minimum OS requirements can vary by payment app.
5. An internet connection for setup. You’ll need Wi-Fi or cellular data to download your payment app and activate Tap to Pay. After that, some apps, including the Kurv Merchant App, can accept tap payments even without a connection. 

How to check if your phone supports Tap to Pay

If you’re asking, “Does my phone have Tap to Pay?” You can check in your phone’s settings.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and look for Model Name. You’ll need an iPhone XS or newer to use Tap to Pay on iPhone.

On Android: Open Settings and search for NFC. If your phone has an NFC setting, make sure it’s turned on. If you can’t find an NFC option, your device likely can’t accept Tap to Pay payments.

Just note: Tap to Pay is primarily a smartphone feature. iPads don’t support Tap to Pay, and most Android tablets don’t have the NFC capabilities needed to accept contactless payments. If you prefer a larger screen or dedicated checkout device, consider a handheld or countertop payment terminal instead.

How to Set Up Tap to Pay in 5 Steps

To set up Tap to Pay, first confirm that your phone is compatible. Then, get a merchant account and supported payment app, enable Tap to Pay within the app, adjust any required NFC and wallet settings on Android, and run a test transaction. Once those steps are complete, you’re ready to accept contactless payments. Let’s go through the steps in more detail.

1. Confirm your phone is compatible

Start by checking your device. One common mistake is assuming that any relatively recent iPhone or Android phone can accept contactless payments.

Use the quick check above to confirm your model, and make sure your operating system meets your payment app’s requirements.

2. Get a merchant account and download a supported payment app

Next, you’ll need a merchant account and a payment app that supports Tap to Pay. The merchant account enables you to process card transactions, while the app turns your compatible smartphone into a payment acceptance device. The Kurv Merchant App, for example, has Tap to Pay built in, so there’s no additional hardware or integration required. Tap to Pay is included at no extra cost with a Kurv merchant account. Kurv also offers a self-service application, with auto-approval available for many low-risk businesses.

3. Turn on Tap to Pay in your payment app

Downloading the app isn’t always enough. You may still need to enable Tap to Pay within the app’s settings before you can accept payments.

4. On Android, turn on NFC and check your default wallet

If you’re using Android, make sure NFC is turned on, and your default wallet is set to None so another wallet app doesn’t interfere with your merchant app. We’ll walk through the full Android setup below.

5. Run a test transaction

Before accepting a customer payment, make sure everything works as expected. Run a small test transaction, such as a $1 sale, using your own contactless card or digital wallet. Once the payment goes through, you can refund the test transaction through your merchant portal. You’ll know your setup is working and be ready for your first customer. The basic process is similar on iPhone and Android, but the setup details differ. Here’s how to get Tap to Pay running on each platform.

How to Set Up Tap to Pay on iPhone

Learning how to set up Tap to Pay on iPhone is fairly straightforward because most of the setup happens within your payment app. Once you have a compatible iPhone, an active merchant account, and a supported payment app, you can get started.

Which iPhones support Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay on iPhone works with iPhone XS or newer running a supported version of iOS. Apple recommends using the latest version of iOS. With a compatible device, you can accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets directly on your iPhone.

How to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone

Before you enable Tap to Pay on iPhone, make sure your merchant account is active, your iPhone has a passcode set, and you’ve installed and signed into your payment app. The exact menu names can vary by provider, but the process generally looks like this:

1. Open your payment app and sign in.
2. Go to Settings or Payment Methods.
3. Select Tap to Pay on iPhone and turn it on.
4. Accept Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone terms and conditions if prompted. This is a one-time step for your business, and the account owner or an admin usually needs to complete it. Your first activation may take a few minutes. 
5. Start a new sale. Once Tap to Pay is active, open a transaction to confirm that your iPhone is ready to accept a contactless payment.

That’s it. There’s no NFC setting to switch on manually on an iPhone. Once Tap to Pay is enabled in your payment app, you can start accepting payments.

How to Set Up Tap to Pay on Android

Looking to set up Tap to Pay on Android so your business can accept payments on your phone? The process takes a few more steps than it does on an iPhone because you’ll need to check both your payment app and a few Android system settings.

Which Android phones support Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay works on many Android smartphones with built-in NFC, but NFC alone doesn’t guarantee that a device is compatible. Your phone also needs to meet the operating system, security, and device requirements of the payment app you use.

Requirements vary by provider. For example, some payment apps support NFC-enabled phones running Android 9 or later, while others require newer versions of Android. Certain individual phone models may also be excluded. Rather than relying on a model or brand alone, check that:

• Your phone has NFC.
• Your Android operating system is up to date.
• Your device has a recent security update.
• Your payment provider supports your phone and Android version.

You’ll find NFC on phones from brands such as Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, and Xiaomi, but availability varies by model.

How to set up Tap to Pay on Android step by step

Once you’ve confirmed your phone is compatible and installed your payment app, follow these steps:

1. Turn on NFC. Open your phone’s Settings and search for “NFC.” You may also find it under Connected devices > Connection preferences, depending on your phone.  
2. Set your default wallet to None. This prevents a built-in wallet, such as Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet, from taking over when you’re trying to accept a customer’s payment. The exact menu path varies by phone.
3. Turn on a screen lock. Make sure your phone is protected by a PIN, pattern, password, or other supported screen lock. This may be required before your payment app can activate Tap to Pay.
4. Open your payment app and grant the required permissions. If prompted, allow Location access while using the app and permit Bluetooth. Your payment app may require these permissions even though Bluetooth can sometimes interfere with Tap to Pay transactions.
5. Enable Tap to Pay in your payment app. Look for Tap to Pay under your app’s payment or hardware settings and turn it on.
6. Start a sale. Enter the transaction amount and follow the prompts. Your customer can then hold their contactless card, phone, or smartwatch near the NFC reader on the back of your Android phone.

Some of these requirements, including screen lock and wallet settings, come from Android and payment providers. Your payment app may also have additional setup steps, so check your provider’s instructions if the menus on your phone look different.

Setting up Tap to Pay on Samsung phones

Samsung phones may require one extra check because Samsung Wallet can be set as the phone’s default contactless payment app. If your merchant app is having trouble reading a customer’s card, check your default wallet setting.

On many Samsung Galaxy devices, go to:

Settings > Apps > Default apps > Wallet app > None

The exact wording and menu path can vary depending on your phone and version of One UI. Once you’ve made the change, return to your payment app and try the transaction again.

How to Turn On Tap to Pay in the Kurv Merchant App

If you use the Kurv Merchant App, there are two ways to turn on Tap to Pay.

For first-time users: When you open the app for the first time, you’ll see a short tutorial walkthrough. On the second screen, tap the activation button to enable Tap to Pay without manually navigating to the settings.

To turn it on manually: Open the Kurv Merchant App and tap Settings (bottom right) > Payment Control, then toggle Tap to Pay to Yes.

Each team member can use Tap to Pay on their own compatible phone while staying connected to the same business account. As they accept payments, sales appear in real time in the Kurv Merchant Portal.

iPhone vs. Android: Key Tap to Pay Setup Differences

Tap to Pay works similarly on iPhone and Android, but the setup process differs. Here’s a side-by-side look at where iPhone and Android setup differ.

Despite these setup differences, the experience is nearly identical once everything is up and running. You enter the sale, your customer taps their contactless card or digital wallet on your phone, and the payment goes through.

Tap to Pay Not Working? 8 Fixes to Try

If Tap to Pay is not working, don’t assume there’s something wrong with your phone. Setup issues are common, and the fix is often as simple as updating your software or changing a setting.

Work through these steps in order:

1. Check device compatibility (iPhone and Android). Start here. If your phone doesn’t meet your payment provider’s device and operating system requirements, changing other settings won’t fix the problem.
2. Update your operating system and payment app (iPhone and Android). Install any available OS and app updates. Outdated software can prevent Tap to Pay from activating or working properly.
3. Make sure NFC is turned on (Android). Open your phone’s settings and search for NFC. Make sure it’s enabled, then fully close your payment app and reopen it.
4. Set your default wallet to None (Android). A default wallet such as Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet can interfere with your merchant app. Go to your default wallet settings and select None, then try the transaction again.
5. Turn off Bluetooth if the problem continues (Android). Bluetooth can interfere with Tap to Pay on some devices. Try turning it off, restarting the app, and running another test transaction.
6. Check that Tap to Pay is enabled in your payment app (iPhone and Android). Go into your app’s payment settings and confirm that Tap to Pay is turned on. It’s worth checking again if you recently updated or reinstalled the app.
7. Restart the app and your phone (iPhone and Android). Fully close and reopen the payment app first. If that doesn’t work, restart your phone and run a small test transaction.
8. Contact your payment provider (iPhone and Android). If you’ve checked everything above and Tap to Pay still isn’t working, the problem may be tied to your account, such as permissions, onboarding status, or another backend setting.

There are two other issues worth checking:

• The customer’s card won’t read: Look for the contactless symbol on the card. Older cards that only support chip or magnetic stripe payments can’t be tapped. In that case, offer another option, such as a QR code payment, payment link, or card reader.
• No passcode or screen lock is set (iPhone and Android): Tap to Pay won’t activate without one. Set a passcode on iPhone, or a PIN, pattern, or password on Android.

Most Tap to Pay problems come down to setup checks rather than permanent issues with your phone. Once you identify the setting or requirement causing the problem, you can usually resume accepting payments quickly.

Tips for Taking Your First Tap to Pay Payments

Once you’ve set up Tap to Pay, a little preparation can help make your first few transactions go smoothly. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Practice before you go live. If you skipped the test sale during setup, run one now and walk through issuing the refund, so you’re not learning the process in front of a customer. 
• Know where customers should tap. On iPhone, customers should hold their card or digital wallet near the top of the phone. On Android, the NFC reader is typically on the back, though its exact location varies by device.  
• Keep your phone charged and synced. Start the day with a full battery and keep a charger or power bank nearby. If you’ve taken payments without a connection, reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular when you can so your app can sync with your account. 
• Set up individual staff logins. If multiple employees accept payments, give each person their own login under your business account. That way, you can track transactions by employee and keep your sales records organized.
• Have a backup payment option. Not every customer has a contactless card or digital wallet. Keep another payment method available, such as a QR code payment or payment link, so you don’t miss a sale.
• Review your transactions at the end of the day. Check your merchant portal to make sure payments were recorded correctly. This is also a good opportunity to review refunds, spot any discrepancies, and reconcile your daily sales.

Start Accepting Tap to Pay With Kurv

With Kurv, you can accept contactless payments using the smartphone you already carry. Tap to Pay is built into the Kurv Merchant App at no extra cost, and it works on compatible iPhones and NFC-enabled Android phones, so there’s no card reader, terminal, or dongle to buy.

Getting started is quick. Kurv’s self-service application offers auto-approval for many low-risk businesses, and once your merchant account is active, you can turn on Tap to Pay during the app’s first-time walkthrough and take your first payment within minutes. Your whole team can accept payments on their own phones under one business account, with every sale showing up in real time in the Kurv Merchant Portal. For customers who can’t tap, you can accept QR code payments or enter card details through the virtual terminal. And if you need help with setup or troubleshooting, Kurv’s U.S.-based support team is ready to help.