Page 1 of Contactless questions

Do Google pay, Apple pay etc need a signal to work, I'm told they don't.

Will they hang if, even though a signal may not be required, it is marginal
ie: it defaults to requiring a connection if one is available.

What is the situation if using a Sum Up, Paypal etc to take a payment as those definitely seem to require a connection.
As often they will require the card and pin as I believe the banks require that after five or six contactless transactions as a way of limiting fraud on stolen cards







Snaps

My understanding is the user doesn't need any signal at all to use it - other than having NFC switched on on the phone.
As for receiving a payment I believe you do need a signal.

Ste

when I was working in hotel when the wifi went down which was surprisingly often nothing worked, pdq machines included

I believe they don't need a connection, my watch has never failed despite being in very sketchy signal areas when I've used it.

But obviously the card unit needs one.


Editor
MYREVIEWER.COM

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The NFC chip in the back of the phone runs from the software & payment app on the phone. If it's a below limit transaction (£100) then it acts in exactly the same way as the card the chip is emulating - the card reader does the work, not the NFC chip.

If it's above the allowed limit, which can only be done via dedicated payment apps like Apple or Google Pay, then I believe you will need a signal as the payment app needs to check the transcation will succeed before authorising.



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Writer`s Release

Not sure about that.   If it's above the limit it's no longer a contact less payment so isn't managed by Apply Pay/Google Wallet etc.  and you would be asked to input a PIN.  It's still down to the machine to have a signal to verify if the payment is successful.

Ste

Quote:
sj says...
"If it's above the limit it's no longer a contact less payment"
Some stores accept unlimited Apple Pay transaction values, which was obviously more of a thing when the limit was 20ish.


Editor
MYREVIEWER.COM

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Yes,  but it's still the machine validating the payment with a connection - not the device?

Ste

Quote:
sj says...
" If it's above the limit it's no longer a contact less payment so isn't managed by Apply Pay/Google Wallet etc. and you would be asked to input a PIN."
On card, yes, but if it's a smartphone/watch, there's no limit.
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Writer`s Release

I use Sum Up down at the local non-league footy club when I'm working the bar.
I changed to SMARTY from O2.
Occasionally when my signal drops out I can't connect to Sum Up so have to ask for cash!

IN MADNESS YOU DWELL