Google has launched its Android Pay mobile payment service in the UK today, having first introduced the service to the USA around nine months ago.
Android Pay offers contactless payments via compatible NFC-equipped mobile phones. Customers add their existing credit or debit cards to the app, with payments charged to their chosen card.
The Android Pay service can be used at shops equipped with NFC contactless payment terminals and also via participating online retailers.
At the moment, most UK retailers can only accept contactless payments with a maximum value of £30.
Abby Francis from online smartphone retailer Mobiles.co.uk said “Until now, Apple Pay was the only smartphone-based payment system available in the UK, with Samsung Pay still firmly US based. Although it is still unclear how frequently smartphone-based payment solutions are being used, over 84 million contactless credit cards had been issued in the UK as of February 2016, and over £1.3 billion was spent using contactless payments in the month with usage growing 36.5% year-on-year. Clearly we are seeing a switch in consumer payment habits and attitudes, indicating a significant market opportunity for Google.”