Barclays has officially launched its answer to Android Pay via an upgrade to its Android app.
The bank previously declined to join Google’s NFC payment service, which launched in the UK this May, and has kept its own service fairly quiet up until now.
Both Android Pay and the Barclays alternative allow users to pay in stores using their handsets, and will allow payments of up to £100.
The services use Near Field Communication chips to communicate with compatible terminals, and can be used anywhere the contactless payment symbol appears.
Related: Android Pay vs Apple Pay
Barclays Mobile Banking users can set up the new service by tapping on Contactless Mobile in the app, choosing the relevant card, and following the on-screen instructions.
Enabling the service means users only need to wake their phone up from standby and tap the handset against a contactless terminal in order to pay in-store.
Payments over £30 will then require a PIN in order to be authorised, but the service can’t be used to pay for things online.
This is a feature that Android Pay can’t match, as it requires users to manually input card details from the physical card before it can be used with the service.
One drawback to Barclay’s contactless mobile payments is that the app will display a permanent notification on the lock screen which can only be removed by disabling lock screen notifications.
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Will you be signing up for Barclay’s new contactless payment service? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
