What does Samsung Pay have to offer?
So, why should you use Samsung Pay? Like other digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay, Samsung Pay is designed to make the process of paying faster, easier and more convenient. Instead of carrying around heaps of debit and credit cards, you can pack them into Samsung Pay to pay with your device instead.
You can add a total of 10 payments cards to Samsung Pay, including debit cards, credit cards and store cards. There is no limit to the number of gift cards that can be added to Samsung Pay. When you’re out and about, you have the option to leave your wallet at home, which can be especially useful when going somewhere like the beach or the gym.
In terms of where Samsung Pay is accepted, you should be able to use your Samsung Pay device anywhere contactless payments are accepted. One neat thing about Samsung Pay is that unlike Apple Pay and Google Pay (which rely on Near Field Communication – NFC – only), Samsung Pay uses NFC and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology, which means it offers acceptance even on older payment terminals. This can be handy when travelling overseas.
While you will need internet access to add and remove cards on Samsung Pay, no internet connection is needed to make a payment, which can again be useful when travelling overseas. Note, some networks will limit you to 10 transactions during a period without internet access.
If you live in Sydney, you can also use Samsung Pay on public transport. Once you’ve synced your transport card, you can use your Samsung device to tap on and off as you travel around the city. Compatible Transport for NSW services currently include Sydney Ferries, Sydney Trains, Light Rail and select bus services.
Can you use Samsung Pay with all credit cards?
If you want to take advantage of Samsung Pay, you will need a Samsung Pay compatible credit card. Most Australian card providers have hopped on the digital wallet bandwagon, but there are some that don’t offer Samsung Pay compatibility. Listed on this page you will find cards from a range of providers – big four included – that now offer Samsung Pay.
Can you use Samsung Pay with all devices?
As you might expect, Samsung Pay is available exclusively for those with a compatible Samsung device. If you want to use Samsung Pay, you will need a Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7, or Galaxy S6 model. Samsung Pay is also compatible with Galaxy Watch, Gear S3 and S2 smart watches.
How do you set up Samsung Pay?
To set up Samsung Pay on your phone or watch, you will need to access the Samsung Pay app. This usually comes installed on all Samsung devices, but you can also download it from the Google Play store. To get started, open the app on your phone, tap ‘Menu’, then ‘Cards’. Next, tap ‘Add Cards’ and follow the instructions onscreen to register your card. This will involve choosing your authentication method, whether that is PIN, fingerprint or iris recognition.
To set up your watch, select Samsung Pay using the Gear Manager on your Samsung phone or other device, then set a four digit PIN on your watch and scan your credit card on your device. Making the whole process as easy as possible, Samsung offers a range of how-to videos showing you how to set up and use Samsung Pay if you are unsure.
How do you pay using Samsung Pay?
For the most part, retailers that offer contactless payments will also accept Samsung Pay. At the checkout, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to launch Samsung Pay, select the card you want to pay with, authenticate the transaction with your iris, fingerprint or PIN, and pay by tapping your phone on the terminal.
If you want to pay using your Gear smartwatch, long press the back button, select the card you want to use and press ‘Pay’, then tap the watch against the terminal. If you have a PIN set up on your watch, you will need to input the PIN to authorise the payment.
If you’re shopping online or in an app, you can pay with Samsung Pay wherever you see the Samsung Pay button. Simply tap the Samsung Pay button at checkout, the app will open and you can choose which card you want to use before you authenticate the purchase.
What about rewards? When you use Samsung Pay to pay for stuff using your card, you will earn rewards just as you would when paying with your physical card. You can also add participating loyalty cards to Samsung Pay, so you can pick up points at the checkout.
Is Samsung Pay secure?
Samsung Pay is designed to offer a secure alternative to using your physical credit cards. Some say using a digital wallet such as Samsung Pay is actually safer than using your actual card. Why? When you use your physical card, your card details are recorded by the merchant to allow them to process the payment.
However, when you use Samsung Pay, the merchant only receives a ‘token’, or unique identifier which allows the payment to be processed without them getting your card info. Your card number is stored in a secure ‘vault’ with the payment processor or card provider, which cannot be accessed by Samsung or the merchant.
In terms of physical security, payments need to be authorised using PIN, fingerprint or iris authentication. After repeated failure to authenticate, Samsung Pay will erase all card data. If you happen to lose your device or have it stolen, you can lock or erase Samsung Pay remotely. Lastly, there is Samsung Knox, which is used to constantly monitor your phone for signs of malicious attacks or vulnerabilities.
