How to Use Your Smartwatch to Pay for Things
Paying with a Smartwatch: A Complete Guide
With all the features of a smart device strapped to your wrist, smartwatches have become a massive asset to people looking to simplify their lives with convenient access to music, voice and text commands, and even paying for your morning coffee. Smartwatches have come a long way since the first device hit the scene in the early part of the 2010s. One of the features that have risen in popularity is contactless payment.
Most major smartwatch manufacturers will allow you to use contactless payment. This will depend on the make and model of your watch. For most, with just a simple setup, you can start leaving your wallet at home and start using this convenient feature.
Contactless payment is easy to use and easy to set up. It allows you to store the information for credit and debit cards safely onboard your smartwatchs hardware. While this does not completely make your wallet obsolete, (we dont have electronic IDs yet), the feature is excellent if you are on the go and dont want to worry about pulling out your cards. The technology that allows for this to work is reliable and already built into most phones and smartwatches (how to answer your phone with your smartwatch in our guide).
The technology that contactless payment is based on is called NFC, or Near Field Communication. This telecommunication protocol allows for communication between two electronic devices at a short distance. This distance is small at around 1.5 inches.More than just phones and smartwatches use NFC based technology (more on whats possible with this technology in our guide). NFC is also used for electronic identification, keycards, and quick setup Bluetooth devices.
NFC is relatively reliable and safe. Because the range for connection is so small, it makes taking advantage of the protocol difficult. This is why it is generally safe to use it with highly sensitive data like card information and electronic identification. Most major smartwatch manufacturers will have NFC available on their devices. Here are a few to look out for that allow for contactless payment (all 3 of the links take you to Amazon):
- Apple Watch Series 6 Apples latest addition to its smartwatch line utilizes Apple Pay for contactless payments.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Samsungs take on the smartwatch comes packed with functionality, including NFC for payments through Samsung Pay.
- Garmin Venu Smartwatch Besides being known for creating things like GPS systems, Garmin has produced some very well thought out and functional watches, including this model that features Garmin Pay. Its clear they are starting to get more serious about activity trackers and other smart devices.
Using contactless payment is a breeze once you have everything set up. For most smartwatch interfaces, you will need to have a smartphone connected to add your card. Once you do though, the data should be stored on your watch. Accessing the contactless payment system is simple and easy, usually consisting of finding the app on your watch.
Once you have everything loaded up, all youll need to do is place your watch face close to the contactless payment logo on the credit card of the point of sale system. Keep in mind that while this feature is very popular, not all stores will have them. Look for either an Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or Contactless Payment logo at the register.
Setting Up Smartwatch Payments on your Smartphone
Smartwatch payments are not all that different from each other, but there are some little subtleties in the way that the companies go about it. For that reason, weve included a short tutorial for some of the most popular brands in the sub-sections below. All you need is your smartphone and the smart watch to get started!
To set up a smartwatch with a contactless payment application, you just have to go into the appropriate application on your smartphone and then add and verify your credit/debit card. If youre using a debit card, youll have to use a PIN. Check out the guide below for each individual company.
Apple Pay:
- On your phone, go to the Apple Watch App.
- Find the Apple Pay section and hit add card.
- Follow along with the steps to add your card to the wallet system. Currently, you can add up to 12 cards.
- Once you have completed the setup, hit next, and your information will be verified with your bank or card issuer.
- Once your card has been verified, it should be ready for use.
- To use your card with your watch, double click the side button.
- Hold the display up to the card reader.
- Wait until you feel a gentle tap.
Google Pay:
- On your watch, navigate toward the Google Pay App.
- You should see a button that says get started, click it.
- If you havent set up a screen lock, you will need to for this function.
- Follow the instructions and enter your cards information.
- Your card should now be loaded onto your watch.
- To make a payment find the Google Pay app again.
- Hold your watch over the card reader until you feel the vibration.
- You may be asked to choose debit or credit; select credit.
- If you are using a debit card, you may still need to use your PIN.
Samsung Pay:
- Find the Samsung Pay app on your Samsung smartphone.
- You will need to set up a PIN.
- Find the blue button on the screen that says add a new card.
- Tap add credit/debit card.
- Follow on-screen instructions.
- Through the Galaxy Wearable app, open Samsung Pay. This should load the app on your watch.
- Press and hold the top back button for a few seconds.
- When the app opens, swipe left to view basic instructions.
- Since we already imported a card onto the app on our smartphone, you can either add a new card or use the import card feature.
- Once everything is set up, just hold down the Back button again to gain access to your cards.
- Now hold the watch over the NFC reader on the payment system and wait for the alert.
Fitbit Pay:
- Open the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
- Under the devices tab, find the watch you want to add payments to.
- There should be a wallet tile. Click it.
- Tap get started and follow instructions to add a new card.
- If using Fitbit Pay for the first time, you will be prompted to set up a PIN.
- Once the card has been added, follow instructions to enable notifications.
- To make a payment, press and hold the left button on your smartwatch.
- You should see the payment screen pop-up.
- Depending on your device, you may need to enter your PIN.
- Hold the watch face near the terminal to make a payment.
Benefits of Paying With Your Smartwatch
As you can imagine, having a contactless payment setup on your watch can make shopping much more convenient. Not only do you not have to worry about fumbling with your wallet, but there are also some other reasons you may not think of:
- Limiting the Spread of Germs and Viruses Since you are not touching anything other than your watch, you are mitigating some of the risks of coming in contact with public surfaces like a credit card reader.
- Preventing Wear of Your Credit Card Over time, the EMV chips in your card can be worn down by friction. By using your watch, you are taking this stress away completely.
- Increased Security While it may seem like using contactless payment would be riskier, it is, in fact, safer in a lot of ways. Not only are the payments secure, but it also mitigates the risk of losing your card or having it stolen.
- Increased Convenience The main benefit, though, is convenience. When you are out and about and want to grab some groceries, you can do so without needing to reach for your wallet or phone.
Just tap your watch. It makes shopping easier and faster.Smartwatches have become a staple piece for a lot of electronic enthusiasts and everyday consumers alike. They have added a ton of convenience to our lives and improved the mobility of smartphones and their technology. Contactless payments are just another great feature that enhances our daily lives.
Sony Smartwatch 3: 10 things you didn't know
Introduction
The Sony Smartwatch 3 is the company's best smartwatch so far. In fact, it's so good, it's made our list of best smartwatches, taking the top spot over the Apple Watch.
Not only does it use the latest version of Android Wear, but it also provides users a variety of options for GPS tracking, data access and more.
The wearable device received a number of positive reviews from critics, and was praised for its powerful GPS system.
But how powerful is it, exactly? And aside from some well-received features, is that all the Smartwatch 3 has to offer users?
We did the research and discovered a number of functions within the Sony Smartwatch 3 that you probably didn't know about.
The best wearable payment devices
Wearables aren't just for checking your smartphone notifications or tracking your fitness (or lack of it). They're also for paying for stuff without having to take out your wallet or digging for a cash or card.
We already have Android Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, and there are NFC wearable payments on the way to Fitbit eventually (maybe in the Fitbit smartwatch), MasterCard is bringing payment tech to trackers and Visa is experimenting with putting payment tech in things like sunglasses.
Read this: Apple Pay v Samsung Pay v Android Pay
Mobile and wearable payments are only going to grow, with Juniper Research estimating that it could hit $100 billion by 2018.
While there are plenty of more devices and types of devices wearable payments could land in, there are also a good deal of devices that use the tech right now. These are our favorites.
Samsung Gear S3
Samsung isn't dumb, it knows that to grow Samsung Pay it needs two things: a popular smartphone and a popular wearable. It's already got the smartphone stuff done, and it's tackling the wearable stuff with the Gear S3. Samsung's latest smartwatch isn't just going big on looks, it's got Samsung Pay. This means that you don't have to use your Galaxy S8 to use Samsung Pay. Oh, and unlike other payment systems Samsung Pay works with magnetic strip readers, which allows it to work at more places than other NFC-based payment systems. That, in our eyes, makes Samsung's offering the best around.
, samsung.com | Amazon
Apple Watch
Ah yes, the Apple Watch. Thanks to Apple Pay, it'll let you pay for stuff in the UK and US. Your iPhone handles the brunt of the work, including verifying your identity, making paying with your wrist as simple and easy as possible. In the future, when watchOS 4 goes live, you'll also be able to send friends and family the money you owe them via the service.
and above, apple.com | Amazon
LG Watch Sport
If you're not an Apple or Samsung person, but are really interested in using contactless payments with your wearable, then take a look at the LG Watch Sport. The poster child of Android Wear 2.0, the Watch Sport fully supports Android Pay, allowing you to tap your wrist to a whole host of payment terminals until your virtual wallet runs dry.
, lg.com | Amazon
Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
If you'd like a fancy smartwatch that can also deliver a wearable payment option, there's no better option for you than the Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45. You get all the luxury smartwatch you could want, including a matte black ceramic watch face. You can also swap out the digital screen for an analog one if you really want. And, of course, you can use Android Pay to pay for things.
From , tagheuer.com | Amazon
TapuTapu / Disney Magic Band
If you're headed on vacation to either a Disney or Universal theme park resort, you'll have a wearable payment option that'll allow you to sit back and spend money more easily than ever. If you're headed to Universal's Volcano Bay water park, you can use its TapuTapu wearable to pay for your food and merch. If you're headed to Disney World, then you can use your Magic Band to do the same in Disney's theme parks. You'll get your TapuTapu when you make your way to Volcano Bay for free, and if you stay at a Disney resort you'll get your Magic Band.
bPay wristband
If you don't want to spend all that cash on a more robust wearable device, but you still want to jump into the wearable payment revolution, then bPay has a solution for you. It's the 20 bPay wristband, which you can link up to your account to pay wherever you see the contactless symbol. Despite being from Barclay, you don't even have to be a Barclay or Barclaycard customer. How's that for convenience?
, bpay.co.uk | Amazon
Topshop x bPay band
If you want a wearable payment band that's a little more fashionable, you can turn toward Topshop's collaboration with Barclays. It also uses bPay technology, which is compatible with cards from any banks. It's simple, it looks unique and it'll let you pay for things with a tap of your wrist. Also only available in the UK, mind.
19, bpay.co.uk
By David Nield
David is a freelance tech writer who has been writing about technology, gadgets and gizmos for more than 20 years.
You can find his work on The Guardian, Wired, Gizmodo, PopSci, TechRadar, T3 and many other major publications on the web and in print.
He spends all day, (almost) every day testing out, explaining, and reviewing smartphones, laptops, smart home kit, wearables, and other essential devices.
From iOS to Wear OS, from Samsung to Sony, he's got an intimate knowledge of almost everything going on in the world of technology right now. When it comes to wearables, there aren't many smartwatches, fitness trackers and VR headsets that he hasn't tried and tested which means he has a wealth of experience to draw on when it comes to talking about something new or the market in general.
