Samsung users can use the Samsung Pay app to make secure, quick and easy contactless payments in-store and online using just their smartphones – no debit card required. If your current bank doesn’t offer Samsung Pay, you can compare a range of debit cards that currently do support the app later in this guide.
Australian banks that offer Samsung Pay
See the Australian banks that offer Google Pay, Samsung Pay and/or Apple Pay in the table below.
Samsung Pay is an app that lets you make payments inside stores and online with your Samsung phone, instead of using your physical debit card. The app securely stores digital copies of your various bank cards, such as your debit and credit card, allowing you to hit the shops without your physical wallet or any cash on you at all.
Just like regular contactless tap and go payments made with your debit card, you don't need to enter a PIN for transactions less than $100. Samsung Pay is fast, easy to use and allows you to leave the house with just your phone in hand and still make purchases.
Are Samsung Pay and Android Pay different things?
Yes. Android Pay was the digital wallet solution built by Google, and it has since rebranded to be called Google Pay. If you’ve got a compatible device, you could use either Samsung Pay or Google Pay on your Android phone. This will depend on which app your bank supports, as well as your own personal preference.
How does Samsung Pay work?
Samsung Pay uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This enables your Samsung smartphone or Gear smartwatch to communicate with a payment terminal when used to tap and pay, and is similar to how a traditional debit card chip operates. The debit card details are securely transferred to the EFTPOS terminal using NFC, allowing the transaction to take place without the need to swipe a physical debit card. Both Google Pay and Apple Pay also rely on NFC technology.
Finder data shows that 30% of Australians have their debit or credit card connected to their smartphone or watch, while a further 10% plan to in the near future.
Where can you use Samsung Pay?
Samsung Pay is accepted at millions of locations worldwide in all stores that already accept contactless payments with traditional debit and credit cards. If you see the contactless payment symbol, or the Samsung Pay logo, you’ll be able to use Samsung Pay to securely tap and pay for transactions under $100 without using a PIN.
Which devices support Samsung Pay?
Samsung Pay is compatible with the following devices:
Galaxy S9 and S9+
Galaxy Note5 and Note8
Galaxy S8 and S8+
Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
Galaxy S6+
Galaxy S6 and S6 edge
Galaxy A7 and A5
Galaxy J5 Pro and J7 Pro
Gear S3, S2 and Gear Sport smartwatches
How to setup Samsung Pay on your smartphone
Setup Samsung Pay in a few easy steps and start making contactless payments right away.
Ensure you have an eligible device and debit card. Check you have an eligible Samsung device from the list above, and that your bank supports Samsung Pay. You can search for your bank in the table above.
Download the app. Your device may already have the Samsung Pay app installed. If not, download it for free from the Google Play store.
Complete the setup process. Sign into the app and add your Samsung account details. There’s a handy video to watch when you first install the app, which explains how to use it. Select which verification you’d like from either fingerprint login, iris scan or pin.
Add your debit card. You can now add your debit card details and start using the app.
How to setup Samsung Pay on your smartwatch
If you have an eligible Gear smartwatch from the list above, follow these steps to setup Samsung Pay on your watch.
Open Samsung Gear. Samsung Pay for your Gear smartwatch is managed through the Samsung gear app, not the Samsung Pay app. When you open Gear, click “Settings” and then “Samsung Pay” and sign into your Samsung account.
Set a PIN. Once you’ve signed in, you can set a PIN number on your smartwatch. You’ll then be able to watch a short video tutorial on your smartphone.
Add your card. You can now add your debit card details by scanning your card (so you don’t have to manually enter your card numbers). Once you’ve been verified, you’re all set to go.
How do I use Samsung Pay once it’s installed?
To use Samsung Pay to make a payment in-store, you need to unlock your phone by using your fingerprint, PIN or iris (eye) scan. This will ensure it’s you making the payment. Then, simply hold the smartphone over the payment terminal as you would when using your debit card for a tap and go payment. Easy! If you’re making a purchase within an app, for example a food delivery app, just select the Samsung Pay option when checking out to avoid manually entering your card details.
To pay using your Gear smartwatch, hold the top button and enter your four-digit PIN when prompted to do so. When your default card is displayed on the screen of your watch, tap the “Pay” option. Then hold your watch over the payment terminal to make a tap and go payment. You’ll feel a buzz or slight vibration on the watch when the payment had been approved, which only takes a couple of seconds.
Is Samsung Pay safe?
When using Samsung Pay to make payments with your phone, you’re still covered by the same fraud and security protections that you bank normally offers. The app doesn’t store your payment information, nor does it share your bank account details with merchants when your make a payment. When you make a payment, the app generates a random unique number for the transaction instead of your real debit card number
If you happened to lose your phone and someone found it, they wouldn’t be able to use it to make purchases. This is because every transaction made using Samsung Pay requires you to enter a PIN code or use your fingerprint to verify it’s actually you first. Plus, you can also delete the details in your Samsung Pay account remotely, if you were to lose your phone.
Pros and Cons of using Samsung Pay
Pros
You can use it to make purchases in-store, within apps and online
It’s safe and secure, and your card details aren’t shared with merchants
You don’t have to bring cash or your debit card when you’re out and about
Supported by a range of Samsung smartwatches as well as phones
Cons
You need an eligible Samsung device, so it’s more limiting than Google Pay which works on a large range of Android devices
Not all banks offer Samsung Pay yet
What is Apple Pay and Google Pay?
While Samsung Pay is for Samsung devices, Apple Pay is the contactless payment app for Apple devices. Apple Pay can be used on a range of eligible iPhones as well as compatible Apple Watches. Apple Pay is just as secure as Samsung Pay, and requires users to either enter a PIN or use their iris scan or fingerprint to verify a payment. You can read our Apple Pay guide here.
Google Pay is the digital wallet solution developed by Google, and is the consolidation of Android Pay and Google Wallet. Google Pay is perhaps les limiting than both Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, as it’s supported by a large range of Android devices. You can read our guide on Google Pay here.
Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds.
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As of this writing, we do not have info on Samsung Pay on ING. Once ING sent confirmation on this matter, we’ll surely update this page you’re looking at. You may also contact ING directly on this matter.
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I am to receive a Samsung S7 in a week or so, I was wondering if ING will be supporting Samsung Pay anytime soon?
Hi Mykl6246,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
As of this writing, we do not have info on Samsung Pay on ING. Once ING sent confirmation on this matter, we’ll surely update this page you’re looking at. You may also contact ING directly on this matter.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni