Google Wallet / NFC - Anyone Else Had Problems ?

molerat

Over the past week or so I have had problems paying with my phone, hit and miss then just nothing coming up so I suspected the NFC aerial had failed or something.  This morning paid in 4 different shops flawlessly.  Had a look at the apps and Wallet had an update yesterday so was there a glitch ?

grumpycrab

My NFC functionality has been hit and miss. A phone restart normally solves it but can be awkward if there's a queue of people waiting.  I've thought it could be my phone's case blocking the signal.  And I've just noticed a setting "Restore NFC functionality" under "Connection and sharing" which I'll try next time there's a problem.

Newcad

Not just phones, I've had NFC issues with my bank card the last few days .

Works some places but other places not.

At least with a card you can shove it into the reader and enter your PIN.

Doshwaster

Newcad said:

Not just phones, I've had NFC issues with my bank card the last few days .

Works some places but other places not.

At least with a card you can shove it into the reader and enter your PIN.

Indeed. That's why I don't like going out without my actual wallet. Paying by phone may be convenient but it's a single point of failure. Even if one physical card is refused you can use another but if your phone doesn't want to cooperate then it doesn't matter how many payment methods you have in your virtual wallet. 

Yarmy

I've seen people try to pay by phone on our local bus and it's failed because they've put their bank card inside their phone cover, which has then caused the ticket machine on the bus to have a wobbly.

RumRat

Not had any problems over the past week or so....or ever really...

Ant555

I had an issue at one store in the last week or so  - they said the reader was being 'iffy this week'.

When I access the Google Wallet it should pay with the default card but I had to select the actual card I wanted to pay with and then it worked.

Doesn't sound like your specific issue but thought it was worth a mention.

Troytempest

All good for me - no issues at all

molerat

And today it didn't work.  Only tried it once so will give it a go somewhere else.  I suspect, as originally, it is my phone on the blink.  Unfortunately NFC is not something that can easily be tested.

basill

molerat said:

And today it didn't work.  Only tried it once so will give it a go somewhere else.  I suspect, as originally, it is my phone on the blink.  Unfortunately NFC is not something that can easily be tested.

There are a few NFC apps for Android that will let yiou read the RFID in contactless cards, passports etc.   At lease you can see if the feature is on and working.

sausage_time

What brand is your phone?  If you have a Google Pixel you can use this to check:

https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/android-phones/your-google-pixel-has-a-secret-diagnostics-menu-how-to-find-it

You want to check NFC and use a contactless card to check it reads OK.

Other brands may have similar hidden menus.