You can disable Samsung Pay in your phone's settings in about two minutes
Samsung Pay is a mobile payment system built into many Samsung phones. If you don't use it, want to prevent accidental payments, or prefer a different payment method, you can turn it off without removing it entirely. The process differs slightly depending on your phone model and Android version, but the core steps are the same: open Settings, find Samsung Pay, and toggle it off.
Disabling Samsung Pay stops the app from running in the background and removes it from your lock screen or notification panel. Your payment information stays stored in the app — you're not deleting anything — so you can turn it back on later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Pay can be disabled through Settings > Apps > Samsung Pay, then toggling off or choosing "Disable".
- Disabling the app stops it from appearing on your lock screen and prevents accidental payments, but does not delete your stored payment information.
- Some Samsung phones allow you to uninstall Samsung Pay entirely if you never plan to use it again.
- If you cannot find Samsung Pay in your apps list, it may already be disabled or your phone model does not include it.
- You can re-enable Samsung Pay at any time by returning to Settings and toggling it back on.
Steps to disable Samsung Pay on most Samsung phones
Open the Settings app on your phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications or App Management depending on your Android version).
Look for Samsung Pay in the list. If you have many apps, use the search icon at the top to type "Samsung Pay" and find it faster. Tap on Samsung Pay to open its details page.
You will see a button labeled Disable, Turn Off, or a toggle switch. Tap or toggle to disable the app. Your phone may ask you to confirm — select Disable again if prompted. The app will now stop running and will not appear on your lock screen or in quick-access menus.
What happens when you disable Samsung Pay
Disabling Samsung Pay removes it from your lock screen, notification panel, and any quick-access shortcuts. The app will not run in the background, which means it uses less battery and memory. You will not receive notifications from Samsung Pay, and you cannot accidentally trigger a payment by touching the app icon.
Your payment cards, bank account information, and transaction history remain stored inside the app. If you decide to re-enable Samsung Pay later, all your information will still be there — you do not need to set it up again from scratch.
Uninstalling Samsung Pay completely (if your phone allows it)
Some Samsung phones let you uninstall Samsung Pay entirely, while others only allow you to disable it. If you see an Uninstall button instead of or alongside Disable, you can remove the app completely. This deletes the app from your phone but does not affect any other Samsung services.
If you cannot find an Uninstall button, your phone model has Samsung Pay locked as a system app. In that case, disabling it is your only option, and that is sufficient to stop it from running.
Re-enabling Samsung Pay if you change your mind
Return to Settings > Apps and find Samsung Pay in your list. Tap it and select Enable or toggle the switch back on. If you uninstalled the app, you can download it again from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store by searching for "Samsung Pay."
When you re-enable the app, it will ask you to verify your identity and set up your payment method again for security reasons, even though your information is still stored. This is normal and takes a few minutes.
Why you might want to disable Samsung Pay
Some people disable Samsung Pay because they prefer a different payment app like Google Pay or Apple Pay. Others turn it off to reduce clutter on their lock screen or to prevent accidental payments if they have children who use their phone. If your phone is older or has limited storage, disabling unused apps can free up a small amount of space and battery life.
You might also disable it if you rarely make mobile payments and want to reduce the number of apps that have access to your payment information. Fewer active apps means fewer potential security entry points, though Samsung Pay itself is encrypted and reasonably secure if you use it.
If you cannot find Samsung Pay in your settings
Not all Samsung phones come with Samsung Pay pre-installed. Older models, budget Samsung phones, or phones sold in certain regions may not have it. If you search for Samsung Pay in your apps list and cannot find it, your phone simply does not include it.
You can also check the Galaxy Store (Samsung's app store) to see if Samsung Pay is listed there. If it shows an Install button, you can download it. If it shows Open, the app is already on your phone but may be hidden — try searching for it again or checking your app drawer's "All Apps" section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling Samsung Pay delete my saved payment cards?
No. Disabling the app stops it from running but keeps all your stored payment information intact. If you re-enable Samsung Pay later, your cards will still be there and ready to use. You only lose your information if you uninstall the app and then clear your phone's cache, which is a separate action.
Can I disable Samsung Pay but keep using other Samsung services?
Yes. Samsung Pay is separate from other Samsung apps and services like Samsung Health, Samsung Notes, or Samsung Internet. Disabling Samsung Pay does not affect any of those apps or your phone's overall performance.
Does disabling Samsung Pay improve my phone's battery life?
Slightly. Samsung Pay uses a small amount of battery when it runs in the background, especially if you have notifications turned on. Disabling it will save a small amount of battery, but the difference is usually not noticeable unless your phone is already low on battery.
What if I see Samsung Pay on my lock screen even after disabling it?
Try restarting your phone after disabling the app — sometimes the lock screen does not update immediately. If it still appears, go back to Settings and confirm the app is actually disabled. If the toggle is already off but Samsung Pay still shows, restart your phone again and check once more.
Can I disable Samsung Pay without going into Settings?
No. You must use the Settings app to disable or uninstall Samsung Pay. You cannot turn it off by long-pressing the app icon or through any other shortcut. The Settings app is the only way to manage whether the app runs on your phone.