Overview

Tap to Pay (TTP) enables merchants to accept contactless payments directly on compatible smartphones — no additional hardware, terminals, card readers, or cables required. Customers simply tap their physical debit or credit card, or use a digital wallet, against the merchant's device to complete a transaction.

This article applies to merchants using the Authorize.net Mobile Point-of-Sale (mPOS) application on a supported processor connection. It covers device requirements, app setup, and step-by-step instructions for enabling and processing Tap to Pay on both iOS and Android devices.

This article does not apply to merchants using unsupported processor connections or hardware-based card readers unless otherwise noted.

Key Benefits

• No additional hardware — No terminals, card readers, or cables are needed.
• Mobile and flexible — Accept payments on the go, at pop-ups, curbside, or during line-busting scenarios.
• Secure by design — Built-in device security helps protect both merchants and customers.

Requirements

To accept and use Tap to Pay, you must use the Authorize.net mPOS app and be on a supported processor connection. Review the requirements below before proceeding.

Compatible Mobile Devices and Operating Systems

Apple / iOS

• iPhone X (10) or later
• iOS 18 or later
• Near Field Communication (NFC) must be enabled. NFC is automatically enabled on iOS devices.

Android

• Near Field Communication (NFC) must be enabled on Android devices.
• If NFC is not enabled, the mPOS app will prompt you to enable NFC and open the Android settings menu.

Authorize.net Account and App Requirements

• An active Authorize.net merchant account
• The Authorize.net 2.0 mobile app, available from:
  • Google Play Store – Authorize.net 2.0
  • Apple App Store – Authorize.net 2.0
• Android users only: The Tap to Pay Ready companion app must also be installed on Android devices.

Processing Availability

Tap to Pay is supported on the mPOS app for the following processor connections:

Setting Up and Using Tap to Pay on iPhone (iOS)

With Tap to Pay on iPhone and Authorize.net, you can accept all types of in-person, contactless payments right on your iPhone — no extra hardware required.

Enable Tap to Pay on iOS

Follow these steps to enable Tap to Pay on your iOS device:

1. Install the Authorize.net mPOS app from the Apple App Store.
2. Sign in to the Authorize.net mPOS app.
3. Tap Settings > Payment acceptance.
4. Tap This Device, then tap Continue.
5. Tap Get It On Google Play.
6. Return to the Authorize.net app and tap Continue.
7. Allow the Authorize.net app to activate your device.
8. When the device is activated, tap Continue.
9. Save the assigned serial number in a safe location.
10. Tap Continue.

Process a Tap to Pay Payment on iPhone

Follow these steps to process a Tap to Pay payment on your iPhone:

1. Add all items to the cart. The checkout page will display a Payment Method drop-down list.
2. Select Tap to Pay from the drop-down list, then select Take Payment. A page stating Present Card will appear.
3. Hold the TTP-enabled card to the NFC location on your device. The NFC location may vary by device manufacturer but is typically found on the back of the device.
4. Refer to your specific device documentation to confirm the NFC chip location.

Setting Up and Using Tap to Pay on Android

With Tap to Pay on Android and Authorize.net, you can accept all types of in-person, contactless payments right on your Android device — no extra hardware required. Android devices require the Tap to Pay Ready companion app before the Tap to Pay option becomes available.

Enable Tap to Pay on Android

Follow these steps to enable Tap to Pay on your Android device:

1. Enable Near Field Communications (NFC) on your Android device by navigating to: Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > NFC and toggle NFC to ON.
   1. Note: NFC is automatically enabled on iOS devices. If NFC is not enabled on Android, the mPOS app will prompt you to enable it and open the Android settings menu.
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      Android Image References

      

2. Install the Authorize.net mPOS app from the Google Play Store.
3. Install the Tap to Pay Ready companion app from the Google Play Store.
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      Android Image References

      

      

4. Sign in to the Authorize.net mPOS app.
5. Tap Settings > Payment acceptance.
6. Tap This Device, then tap Continue.
7. Tap Get It On Google Play.
8. Return to the Authorize.net app and tap Continue.
9. Allow the Authorize.net app to activate your device.
10. When the device is activated, tap Continue.
11. Save the assigned serial number in a safe location.
12. Tap Continue.

Process a Tap to Pay Payment on Android

Follow these steps to process a Tap to Pay payment on your Android device:

1. Add all items to the cart. The checkout page will display a Payment Method drop-down list.
2. Select Tap to Pay from the drop-down list, then select Take Payment. A page stating Present Card will appear.
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      Android Image References

      

       

3. Hold the TTP-enabled card to the NFC location on your device. The NFC location may vary by device manufacturer but is typically found on the back of the device.
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      Android Image References

      

4. Refer to your specific device documentation to confirm the NFC chip location.

Tap to Pay FAQs

• What is Tap to Pay?
  • Tap to Pay (TTP) is a feature that enables merchants to accept contactless payments directly on compatible smartphones. Customers tap their physical debit or credit card, or use a digital wallet, against the merchant's device to complete a transaction — no additional hardware required.
• Do I need to purchase additional hardware to use Tap to Pay?
  • No. Tap to Pay requires no additional hardware such as terminals, card readers, or cables. You only need a compatible smartphone and the Authorize.net mPOS app.
• Which smartphones are compatible with Tap to Pay?
  • For iOS: iPhone X (10) or later running iOS 18 or later.
  • For Android: Any Android device with NFC capability. If NFC is not enabled, the mPOS app will prompt you to enable it.
• Which processor connections support Tap to Pay?
  • TSYS supports Tap to Pay via device/phone and Tap to Terminal via reader on both Android and iOS.
  • First Data Nashville (FDC) support is coming soon for both Android and iOS.
• Do Android users need to install anything extra?
  • Yes. Android users must install the Tap to Pay Ready companion app in addition to the Authorize.net mPOS app before Tap to Pay becomes available.
• Where is the NFC chip located on my device?
  • The NFC chip location varies by device manufacturer but is typically found on the back of the device. Refer to your specific device documentation to confirm the exact location.
• Is Tap to Pay secure?
  • Yes. Tap to Pay is built with device-level security that helps protect both merchants and customers during every transaction.
• Can I use Tap to Pay outside of a traditional store environment?
  • Yes. Tap to Pay is designed to be mobile and flexible. You can accept payments on the go, at pop-ups, curbside, or during line-busting scenarios.
• What app do I need to use Tap to Pay?
  • You need the Authorize.net 2.0 mobile app, available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Android users must also install the Tap to Pay Ready companion app.

Glossary

• FDC – First Data Nashville: A processor connection/platform supported by Authorize.net. Tap to Pay support via FDC is coming soon.
• mPOS – Mobile Point of Sale: The Authorize.net mobile application used to accept in-person payments on compatible smartphones.
• NFC – Near Field Communication: A short-range wireless technology that enables contactless data exchange between devices, used to facilitate Tap to Pay transactions.
• TTP – Tap to Pay: A contactless payment method that allows merchants to accept payments by having customers tap their card or digital wallet against a compatible smartphone.
• TSYS: A processor connection/platform supported by Authorize.net that currently supports Tap to Pay via device/phone and Tap to Terminal via reader on both Android and iOS.