Set up Google Pay and Google Wallet
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Google Pay is a simple and safer way to make payments directly from your Android device, keeping your smile Bank details anonymous.
Google Wallet is a way to safely store the card information you want to use with Google Pay.
Read more about the benefits of Google Wallet
What you'll need
To use Google Wallet, you’ll need an Android™ device with NFC capability, and with software version Nougat 7.0 or above installed.
Download Google Wallet
First you’ll need to:
- Download Google Wallet
- Open the Google Wallet app – it’s called Wallet on your device
- Log in to your Google account.
If you’ve already set up your wallet, you’ll see your payment card on screen.
Set up your wallet
To add a debit or credit card, you’ll need to:
- Select 'Add to Wallet', then ‘Payment card’, then ‘New credit or debit card’.
- Register your card details by using your camera to read them or entering them yourself.
- Read the Google Wallet terms of service and select ‘Save’.
- Read and our terms of use and select ‘Accept’.
- Choose how to verify your card – by text, email or phone call.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code we send to you.
You'll then be ready to pay with your card using Google Wallet.
Make a payment
You can make a Google Pay payment whenever you see a contactless or Google Pay logo. And you don’t need an internet connection.
For payments under £100
You just need to wake up your device and tap on the contactless terminal.
For payments over £100
You'll need your device passcode, fingerprint or pattern to authenticate. Some merchants may set a maximum spend for Google Pay.
Terms and conditions
Please read the Google Pay terms of use when using a smile Bank card (PDF).
Frequently asked questions
If you need help with Google Pay, our frequently asked questions may help.
What are the benefits of using Google Pay and Google Wallet?
Why has my payment been declined?
How secure are wallet payments?
What should I do if the card I’ve added to Google Wallet is lost or stolen?
What should I do if the device I’ve set up with Google Wallet is lost or stolen?
What is the payment limit for digital wallets?
Can I use wallet payments outside the UK?
What are the benefits of using Google Pay and Google Wallet?
Digital wallets are designed to make life a little bit simpler.
They’re quick and convenient
You need to have certain security features set up on your phone in order to set up a digital wallet. As a result, the payment process is simpler. When making payments with a digital wallet:
- You won’t need to type in your PIN in-store, or your Visa Secure payment details when shopping online
- You won’t need to remember your PIN or passwords
- You can make contactless payments for larger amounts.
You can also add many different things to your wallet, so:
- You can have everything together in one place, including loyalty cards, gift cards, travel boarding passes and discount cards, and even ID
- You won’t need to carry your cards around with you.
They’re safe
In some ways, using a digital wallet can be safer than carrying a physical wallet because:
- Your digital wallet won’t share your card details with merchants or display them on screen, so you won’t need to worry about anyone stealing your card details
- You can use the Find My Device feature to locate your device if it’s lost or stolen, and block it or delete your digital wallet.
It’s still important to keep an eye on payments coming out of your account, and let us know if anything doesn’t look right.
Why has my payment been declined?
Payments are most commonly declined when you don't have enough money in your account.
If this isn't the case and there's no fault with the merchant's terminal, it might be best that you contact us on:
03457 212 212 for current accounts
0345 600 6000 for credit cards
Lines are open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday. (call charges)
How secure are wallet payments?
When you make a payment with Google Pay, it doesn't send your actual debit or credit card number with your payment. Instead it uses a virtual account number that differs from the details on your card, meaning your card details stay safe.
Additionally, you need to unlock your device before you can make a payment, meaning you need to use your fingerprint or device passcode or pattern. And you may need to use it again to authenticate the payment.
What should I do if the card I've added to Google Wallet is lost or stolen?
Please let us know immediately and by the next working day we’ll:
- Cancel the card
- Send you separately a replacement card and new PIN
- Automatically update your card in the wallet.
Call us on 0345 600 6000 (call charges) and we will cancel the card, order you a replacement card and automatically update your card in the Wallet the next working day. Lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What should I do if the device I’ve set up with Google Wallet is lost or stolen?
If you’ve lost your device, you can read about how to use Google’s Find My Device to locate and secure your device.
When you’re ready to locate and secure your device, you should:
- Open Find My Device.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Put your device in lost mode to prevent anyone using your Google Wallet.
- Try to locate your device and work out what happened to it. You can display a message on screen to explain how to get the device back to you. And you can make it play a loud ringtone, even if it’s in silent mode.
If you can’t get your device back, you should:
- Block your device in Find My Device
- Call us to cancel your card on 0345 600 6000 (call charges) – lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Report the theft to the Police and Google if you’re convinced it was stolen.
Make sure you follow these steps so you’ll be able to find your device when you need to.
What is the payment limit for digital wallets?
We don’t have a transaction limit for wallet payments but check with the merchant before purchasing as they may set a limit.
Can I use wallet payments outside the UK?
Yes, you can use wallet payments in the same way you would a standard debit or credit card. You may be charged processing fees by other banks, overseas charges, and currency conversion charges too. Find out more about smile Bank's card charges outside the UK.
Google Pay and Google Wallet are trademarks of Google LLC.