Since Apple has their payment system, why wouldn’t Samsung, right? Not only does Samsung have one, but it is also has something that Apple Pay doesn’t. But it’s this one thing that just might be enough to make you consider switching payment systems.
Time will tell if Apple’s follows Samsung’s footsteps, but it would definitely be a step in the right direction for the big apple. Samsung Pay is easy to use and uses a technology that you are already using, which one is it?
What is Samsung Pay?
Samsung Pay is a payment system that you can use with your Samsung smartphone (recent models). This payment system is accepted at retail stores around the world and uses the traditional MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology that most payment terminals are using.
It also works with NFC-enabled payment terminals, just like Apple Pay does. What Samsung Pay does by using MST is mimic the magnetic strip so it can transfer your card details to the terminal from the Samsung Pay app. All of this is possible, thanks to the coil that is located at the back of the device.
Samsung Pay has the upper-hand since you can use the service with any common payment terminal or card machine. Thanks to the technology that Samsung Pay uses, it’s available in more areas then Apple Pay. So, remember, if at a store you can pay with your debit or credit card, you can also pay with Samsung Pay.
It is also a safe payment method since an encrypted version of your card number is sent and not your actual card number. There is also no need to create a new pin for Samsung Pay, you can use the one you already have for that specific card.
Samsung Pay will need to make sure that it is really you, so you will need to either use your pin, fingerprint sensor and if your device has an iris scanner you can use that verification method too.
Does My Samsung Smartphone Support Samsung Pay?
If you have a Samsung smartphone that goes from the S6 and newer, then you should be able to use Samsung Pay. If you have a Samsung S6 model, check to see if it’s available in your country since the company didn’t add MST and NFC to all of their devices.
If you have the following Samsung models, you should be able to use Samsung Pay:
- Note 8
- S9
- S8
- S7
- S7 Edge
- S6
- S6 Active
- S6 Edge plus
- S6 Edge
- Note 5
- Gear S2 (with NFC only)
- Gear 3 with an app update
Don’t bother looking for the app if your device is not supported since you won’t be able to find it.
How to Set Up Samsung Pay
Open the Samsung Pay app, but if you don’t see it, then you’re going to need to install the latest software update on your Android device. To check if a system update is waiting for you go to Settings > System > System Updates and if your Android device is up to date, you should see a message letting you know.
Once you’re sure you have the latest version of Android, it’s time to set up Samsung Pay. When you first open the app, you will be asked to choose a verification method, so the app knows it’s you. If you have an older Samsung model, you can either choose to add a PIN or fingerprint.
Even though you won’t need to create a new pin for cards you add, you will need to add one that will authorize payments. Tap on the Pay tab at the bottom (it will be the one in the center) and select Scan cards or tap on the add credit card in the middle of your screen.
Scan your card using the camera and follow the instructions that the app will show you. Add the information you will be asked for and be prepared to give the app your autograph since you’ll need to add your signature. Tap Done.
How to Use Samsung Pay
Now that you what Samsung Pay is, what devices support it, and how to set it up, it’s time to know how to use it. Let’s say you’re at Starbucks and it’s time to pay for your Mocha Frappuccino.
Swipe up from the bottom your phone’s display. It doesn’t matter if you swipe up from your home screen, lock screen, or even if your phone’s display is off. You should be looking at your default credit card or debit card. If you’ve added more cards, simply swipe left or right to look for the card you want to use.
Hold your phone near the terminal and tap near the magnetic stripline. If the payment terminal is a tap-and-go one, tap on your phone to finalize the purchase. Enjoy your Mocha Frappuccino!
Conclusion
As you can see, Using Samsung Pay is not as difficult as you may have thought it was. It’s better than having your physical cards because the cards you add to the app are encrypted, while the ones you have in your wallet are not. Will you be giving Samsung Pay a chance let me know in the comments below!
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