Check your phone's settings to learn about tap to pay is built in

Most phones made in the last five years have the hardware for tap to pay — a feature called NFC (near-field communication) — but not all of them. The fastest way to know is to open your phone's settings and search for "NFC" or "contactless payment". If you find a toggle or a mention of it, your phone has the hardware. If nothing appears, your phone likely does not.

On Android, go to Settings, then search the search bar at the top for "NFC". On iPhone, NFC is built into every model from iPhone XS and newer, so if you have an iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or any newer model, you have it. Older iPhones do not have NFC at all.

Having the hardware is only half the story. You also need a payment app that your phone and your bank both support. The most common ones are Google Pay (Android), Apple Pay (iPhone), and Samsung Pay (Samsung phones). Your bank has to work with at least one of these apps for tap to pay to actually work at checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • Search "NFC" in your phone's settings to see if the hardware is there; iPhones XS and newer have it built in, and most Android phones from the last five years do too.
  • Having NFC hardware is not enough — your bank also has to support Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or another payment app that works with your phone.
  • If your phone has NFC but your bank is not listed in your payment app, contact your bank to ask if they plan to add support.
  • Phones without NFC can still use other payment methods like QR codes or entering card details manually, but cannot use tap to pay at a terminal.

Android phones: where to look for NFC

On Android, the NFC setting is usually in the main Settings menu, but the exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer. Open Settings and look for a search icon at the top — most Android phones have one. Type "NFC" and see what comes up.

If you do not see a search bar, try going to Settings > Connected Devices or Settings > More, then look for NFC or Wireless & Networks. Some Samsung phones put it under Settings > Connections. Once you find it, you should see a toggle that says NFC is "On" or "Off". If the toggle exists, your phone has NFC hardware.

If you search for NFC and nothing appears, your phone does not have the hardware. This is most common on older Android phones (before 2018) or budget models. In that case, tap to pay will not work no matter what app you download.

iPhone models that have tap to pay

Apple added NFC to iPhones starting with the iPhone XS in 2018. If you own an iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or any model released after 2018, you have NFC built in. If you own an iPhone X or older (iPhone 8, 7, 6S, 6, or earlier), your phone does not have NFC and cannot use tap to pay.

You do not need to check settings on iPhone — if your model is XS or newer, the hardware is there. What you do need to check is whether your bank works with Apple Pay. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and try to add your card. If your bank appears in the list, you can set up tap to pay. If your bank does not appear, contact them to ask if they support Apple Pay.

Samsung and other Android brands

Most Samsung phones from 2015 onward have NFC, and Samsung Pay is Samsung's own payment app that works with NFC. However, Samsung phones also work with Google Pay. Check your phone's NFC setting first (search "NFC" in Settings), and if it is there, you can use either Samsung Pay or Google Pay depending on which one your bank supports.

Other Android brands like Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and LG also include NFC on most recent models. The same rule applies: search for NFC in settings, and if it exists, you can use Google Pay or another payment app that your bank supports. Budget Android phones and older models are more likely to lack NFC entirely.

What to do if your phone has NFC but your bank is not supported

If your phone has NFC hardware but your bank does not appear in Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, you have a few options. First, contact your bank directly and ask if they support tap to pay through any of these apps. Some banks are slower to add support, but many are working on it.

Second, check whether your bank has its own payment app. Some larger banks and credit unions have built their own apps that work with NFC on your phone. Your bank's website or customer service line can tell you if one exists.

Third, if your bank does not support tap to pay yet, you can still use other contactless payment methods at checkout, such as scanning a QR code or entering your card details manually. Tap to pay is convenient, but it is not the only way to pay without cash.

Phones without NFC: what you can still do

If your phone does not have NFC hardware, you cannot use tap to pay at a terminal that requires it. However, you have other options. Many stores accept QR code payments — you scan a code displayed at checkout using your phone's camera, and it takes you to a payment page. Some payment apps like PayPal and Square Cash also work this way.

You can also enter your card details manually into a payment app or website, or use a digital wallet that stores your card information securely. These methods are not as fast as tapping your phone, but they work on any phone with internet access.

If you use your phone for payments regularly and your current phone lacks NFC, upgrading to a newer model may be worth considering — most phones released in the last three to four years have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my bank works with Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Open Apple Pay (on iPhone) or Google Pay (on Android) and try to add your card. If your bank appears in the list, it is supported. If not, search your bank's website for "Apple Pay" or "Google Pay" to see if they have announced support, or call customer service to ask when they plan to add it.

Can I use tap to pay if NFC is turned off?

No. NFC must be turned on for tap to pay to work. If you find the NFC toggle in your settings and it is off, turn it on. Some phones turn NFC off automatically in certain modes (like airplane mode), so check that too.

Is tap to pay safe if my phone is lost or stolen?

Tap to pay is generally secure because most payment apps require authentication (like Face ID or a PIN) before a payment goes through. If your phone is lost, you can remotely remove your payment information from your bank's app or contact your bank to disable the card. Report the loss to your bank as you would a physical card.

What if I have an older iPhone but want to use tap to pay?

Older iPhones (iPhone X and earlier) do not have NFC hardware, so tap to pay is not possible on those models. You would need to upgrade to an iPhone XS or newer. Alternatively, you can use other contactless payment methods like QR codes or entering your card details into a payment app.

Do all stores accept tap to pay?

Most stores in the United States now have contactless payment terminals, but not all of them. Tap to pay works at any terminal that displays a contactless symbol (usually a curved wave icon). If a store does not have a contactless terminal, you can still pay with a physical card or another method.