MasterCard are first off the line this morning with the announcement that Android Pay is finally available in the apparent sleepy backwater that is the UK. All you need is a compatible Android phone with NFC.
It’s not just MasterCard though. Everybody has been in touch with us this morning. We’ve even had KFC on the phone telling us how you can use your shiny Android phone to pay for a burger and let’s not forget that Android Pay is now live in the UK with Visa too. You just need to download the app and set up an account to shop securely and safely.
By the way. Remember that £30 limit? I was told at the weekend that it doesn’t apply to fuel purchases. I played it safe and only put £25 of diesel in, but I’d love to know if this is true.
The app lets you manage your credit and debit cards via the app, with banks and Building Societies such as the Bank of Scotland, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, MBNA and M&S Bank working from today. Once done, just smash your £500 smartphone against the terminal instead of that completely free bit of plastic you got with your bank account. Oh, and please don’t try to be that guy at the toll booths on the M6 Toll tonight, because you will drop it and we will all laugh.
Android Pay is live in the UK with MasterCard from today
MasterCard Digital Enablement Service ensures safe and secure payments with Android Pay
London, 18 May 2016 – Today, Google confirmed thatAndroid Pay is now live in the UK, giving millions of MasterCard cardholders even more ways to make safe and convenient mobile payments. Android Pay enables seamless and secure contactless payments at more than 400,000 contactless payment terminals across the UK (plus millions more worldwide) wherever MasterCard contactless payments are accepted1.
Owners of eligible Android devices – those on Android v4.4 ‘KitKat’ or newer – can begin using Android Pay now. Once a MasterCard cardholder downloads the app and sets up an account, they’re ready to shop simply, safely and securely with Android Pay. Users can add their MasterCard credit and debit cards into the payment app, with customers of Bank of Scotland, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, MBNA and M&S Bank able to load their cards starting today. Once your card is added, you can use your phone to pay in the same way you would with a contactless card.
Mark Barnett, President, MasterCard UK & Ireland said, “We are thrilled to be Google’s partner in delivering a safe and secure payment experience for cardholders with Android Pay. As more and more devices become connected and enabled for payments or shopping, we’re committed to bringing consumers the choice and convenience of paying how, when and where they want.”
In setting up a device for Android Pay, MasterCard generates a digital “token” that is associated with that device and stored on a secure server. There is a separate token assigned to each of the consumer’s devices, which means that not only is the token number different from the ‘real’ card number but it is also prevented from transacting via any other device. When the consumer uses their mobile device in a transaction, it is the token and not the real card number that is provided to the shop. For consumers and retailers alike, every purchase made with a MasterCard using Android Pay offers all the benefits and guarantees of a transaction with the physical MasterCard.
“We’re excited to bring the simplicity and security of mobile payments to MasterCard customers with Android Pay. Starting today, people will be able to use their Android device to pay at almost 460,000 contactless payment terminals in the UK.” Pali Bhat, Senior Director, Product Management, Google
MasterCard also recently announced that Google will participate in its Digital Enablement Express programme, providing Google a streamlined onboarding process to engage with all participating MasterCard issuers around the globe, accelerating consumer access to Android Pay, as it becomes available in different markets.
Developers can quickly enable Android Pay for in-app payments through the MasterCard Payment Gateway,making it easier for retailers of all sizes to accept in-app payments securely from Android users.
Android Pay is accepted at more than 400,000 contactless terminals throughout the country, as well as the 5 million contactless terminals in 77 countries around the world. To find a listing of contactless-enabled UK retail locations, download the MasterCard Nearby app or go to:www.mastercard.com/contactless.
