Barclays’ Android Pay rival has now arrived

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.

Barclays says the new functionality will allow customers to keep spending even if they lose their card, as the bank can upload details of a new card to the contactless account before the physical replacement arrives at the customer’s address.

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.