Samsung Pay is Samsung’s option for contactless payments using nothing more than your cell phone. In the good old days of 2020, all of Samsung’s flagship smartphones included the ability to use Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) with Samsung Pay.
If you look at the back of your credit or debit card, you’ll notice the black strip at the top. This is a magnetic strip is swiped through the machine and registers the payment as complete. MST emulated the magnetic strip, removing the need to swipe a card at a terminal.
However, with the Galaxy S21 lineup, MST has been removed entirely from all three models. Samsung believes that NFC has matured to a point where it has been adopted in most places, removing the need for MST. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case in all areas, as those India and rural America still can’t use NFC for payments.
Set up Samsung Pay on Galaxy S21
That doesn’t mean that Samsung Pay has been rendered completely useless with the Galaxy S21. This just means that instead of being able to use Samsung Pay anywhere, you’ll only be able to use it in locations that support NFC payments. Chances are, if you see logos for Apple Pay or Google Pay, then Samsung Pay will work just fine.
If this is your first time setting up Samsung Pay, it’s a pretty easy and straightforward process. But there are a few pre-requisites that need to be met before proceeding. This is everything you’ll need to get started:
- A compatible Samsung phone or watch (the Galaxy S21 is compatible).
- Samsung Account.
- Supported credit, debit, or gift card from a participating bank or vendor.
- Registered fingerprint or Samsung Pay PIN.
- Located in the country of the participating bank for verification purposes.
The following method works for any devices in the Galaxy S21 lineup. Here’s how you can set up Samsung Pay on the Galaxy S21:
- Open the Samsung Pay app on your Galaxy S21.
- Tap Get Started.
- Enter a new PIN (different from your Lock Screen PIN).
- Enter the PIN again to confirm.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to add your payment cards.
- Tap Samsung Pay Home if you want to skip adding any cards.
While many banks and credit unions have added support for Samsung Pay, additional verification may be needed. For example, with M&T Bank here in Maryland, a quick phone call needs to be placed after adding the card to Samsung Pay. After the call is completed for verification, then the debit and credit cards work just as advertised.
How to use Samsung Pay
Now that you have set up Samsung Pay, it’s time to actually start using it. Here’s how you can use Samsung Pay on the Galaxy S21.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen or lock screen.
- Select the debit or credit card you wish to use.
- If you want to use a different card that has been added to Samsung Pay, swipe left or right and select it.
- Tap the PIN button at the bottom of the screen below your card.
- If you have registered your fingerprint scanner, tap the sensor with your finger.
- Place the back of the phone near the terminal or card machine. You will have 30 seconds to tap the terminal or you will have to repeat the above steps to activate Samsung Pay.
- Enter your card’s PIN if prompted on the payment terminal.
It’s that simple! Now you can just use your smartphone to make payments while you’re at the store, instead of reaching for your wallet all of the time.
How To Add a Card To Samsung Pay
Thankfully, Samsung Pay is compatible with more than just one credit or debit card. In fact, you can store up to 10 payment cards with Samsung Pay, giving you a bit of variety while you’re out and about. But if you need to add more cards, here’s how you can do so:
- Open the Samsung Pay app on your Galaxy S21.
- Tap the Menu button in the top left corner.
- Tap Cards.
- Select Add Card from the menu.
- Tap Add credit/debit card.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish adding the card.
Are There Any Limitations?
Outside of lacking support for MST with the Galaxy S21 lineup, there really aren’t too many other limitations. Samsung Pay can be used with up to 10 payment cards at a time. However, it can also be used to store an unlimited number of gift cards, along with any rewards cards for stores.
Samsung and PayPal have even partnered to make it so you can use your PayPal account with Samsung Pay. This works in the stores, along with making purchases right from your Galaxy S21.
Let us know what you think about Samsung Pay, and the company’s decision to move away from MST payments. Are you going to stick with using something like Google Pay? Or are you going to take advantage of the various rewards and Cash Back programs offered by Samsung? Sound off in the comments below.
David says
I’m sorry that I purchased the S21 because many merchants (FredMeyer, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and others) are try to push their own electronic pay and they have turn off NFC or limited it to their e-pay only and MST very needed to give Samsung customers a choice in how they pay.
Mario says
I wish I would have read about this before “upgrading”to the S21. I’ve been a Samsung loyal since the S3. What a disappointment. Should have kept my S10.
Jennifer says
Samsung’s decision to remove MST from the S21 phones was a big letdown. I recently had to upgrade since I switched mobile carriers and now I’m regretting the upgrade. I used Samsung Pay all of the time and now, without that MST technology, it is basically useless. I do not understand why Samsung would decide to take a step backward in technology. if this technology is a software issue then maybe Samsung will figure out their mistake and push an update.
Peggy says
I was actually thinking to replace my galaxy s7 with a 2021 model, now I know I won’t buy a Samsung since the MST function is no longer available on Samsung pay, an app which i have been using so effectively to make my purchases anywhere i go. There are plenty of smartphones that are less expensive than Samsung to choose from taking off Samsung pay from the equation, A bad business choice of Samsung to downgrade Samsung pay, MST is still very much around.
Stefon Reid says
These types of decisions are the results of sitting on your brains.
QDW says
Guessing I’ll keep my Galaxy S10e a little longer. Once it is replaced, there will no longer be a reason to use Samsung Pay over Google Pay.
Dan says
This was a huge part of my payment options and will miss it immensely. Not sure why Samsung would do away with such an important feature. I guess Samsung is trying to let it’s competition catch up to them. I loved the surprised look on peoples faces when the cashier says they don’t take Samsung Pay. I’d be like, “Yes you do.” I think this was a huge mistake.
Gdawg says
Samsung has rendered samsung pay useless,nice step backwards to save a buck.#uninstall
Terri Sorel says
The removal of MST payment method was an enormous mistake. I am a major Samsung Pay user, and I can tell you from experience that the majority of merchants have machines without NFC, and are always surprised when my phone works. MST is the preferred method for me, and it shocks the merchants to see it work. At least 80% of the machines can’t use apple pay, but can use Samsung pay. The Apple phone owners end up annoyed and I recommend they switch to Samsung. Why would you even consider removing MST? It’s one of the best features on the phone.
Ljay says
Thank you for letting me know why I can no longer use Samsung Pay at various stores in the area where I live. It is very disappointing to find out that Samsung removed the one feature that set them apart from the competition. I can’t tell you how many times a store clerk has told me “that doesn’t work here” when I pulled out my phone to pay. I would tell them “Samsung Pay uses a different technology” – and then proceed to complete the payment process using MST.