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How can I accept contactless payments directly on my smartphone?

  • Updated

We have developed Tap to Pay, a feature that lets you accept card payments directly from your phone, no additional card reader needed.

đź’ˇFor Beta users, March will be free of charge. The first billing will start on the 1st April.

Who can use Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay is now available in Alpha version for 600 clients in France, across all plans. The transactions fees depend on your pricing plan:

  • EU Consumer Cards: 1.2% for Basic & Smart plans, 0.8% for Premium plans
  • Business & Non-EU Cards: 2.6% for all plans

Qonto’s transaction fees are lower than competitors like SumUp, Zettle, and Square.

What do I need to use Tap to Pay?

  • An Android smartphone with NFC* capability
    • Android version 12 updated to the latest security patch
    • Must have an NFC reader
  • An IOS phone with NFC capability (available soon)
    • An iPhone Xs or later with iOS version 17.0 or later
  • An internet connection (offline payments are not supported)

 đź’ˇ NFC*, or Near Field Communication, is a technology that enables smartphones to accept contactless payments. By activating it, your phone functions as a payment terminal: the customer simply taps their card or device (with Apple Pay or Google Pay) to complete the payment.

Not all phones have the same NFC chip position, which can make card reading more challenging. Try moving the card slowly across the back of your phone to find the best reading zone. Depending on the model, the NFC chip may be located at the top (near the camera) or in the center of the device. For precise location, check your phone's manual.

We recommend you make a first transaction with your own card to test Tap to Pay and locate your smartphone's NFC zone. Currently, transactions are free of charge. Take advantage of this to try it out before charging your customers.

How does Tap to Pay work?

  1. Make sure NFC is enabled in your phone settings.
  2. Open the Qonto app and click on Tap to Pay.
  3. Enter the payment amount to be charged and tap Charge.
  4. Ask your customer to tap their card or uses Apple Pay/Google Pay on your phone.
    • For payments under €50, the transaction is processed directly.
    • For amounts over €50, the customer will need to confirm using their PIN code.
  5. Once the payment is approved, you can send a receipt by SMS or email.

⛔️ Currently, Tap to Pay accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. American Express is not yet supported, but we are evaluating its integration based on user needs.

Keep in mind that receipts must be sent immediately after the payment, you will not be able to send receipts for past payments.

You can view all your payments in real time in the Tap to Pay section, whether they are successful, pending, or settled to your Qonto account.

For security reasons, the Qonto app requires a lock code. We recommend enabling biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition) for faster access to Tap to Pay and quicker transactions.

How can I access the Beta version?

The Beta version is currently available for a limited number of clients. If you are interested in joining the Beta phase, please contact our support via chat for more details.

Are there transactions limits?

Yes, here they are:

  • Minimum amount: €0.10
  • Maximum amount: €100,000

Payments up to €50 are processed without entering a PIN code. For higher amounts paid with a physical card, the customer will need to enter their PIN directly on your smartphone to validate the transaction.


What about refunds?

At this stage, refunds are not immediately available through the app. Here’s how it works during the Alpha phase:

  1. Initially: Refunds are not yet available directly in the application. During the Alpha phase, they can be handled manually by Qonto's customer service. Please allow for processing time and contact our support for any refund requests.
    We recommend merchants plan an alternative refund method, such as cash.
  2. Later: Refunds will become available via Qonto’s Customer Service. Keep in mind:
    • Refunds will not be instant and will only be processed during Customer Service hours.
    • We still recommend having an alternative method for refunds during this period.


When will payments appear in my Qonto account?

Payments received with Tap to Pay are credited to your Qonto account on the next business day, grouped as a single payout:

  • 10 payments of €10 taken on Monday will be credited as €100 on Tuesday.
  • 10 payments of €10 taken on Friday will be credited on Monday.

Each payout includes a statement detailing the payments and any associated fees. These transfers do not affect your incoming or outgoing transfer limit.

 

My Tap to Pay transaction was denied, what should I do ?

When a transaction fails, several factors might be at play. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify the source of the denial and advise your customer.

1. Checking the NFC Reading (on your smartphone)

A. Card reading Issues

  • NFC not enabled on the device

    Your smartphone must have NFC enabled to read the card. Check your smartphone settings to ensure NFC is turned on: Settings → Connected Devices → Connection Preferences → Use NFC

  • Improper card positioning

    The card must be placed precisely on the NFC reading area, which is usually located on the back of your phone, in the middle, or near the camera.

    If you have a Samsung phone, visit this website to locate the NFC reading area; otherwise, refer to your smartphone’s user manual.

  • Interference from the protective case

    A case that is too thick or contains metallic or magnetic elements can interfere with the NFC signal. Try making a payment without the protective case.

  • Reading timeout

    A reading that is too quick or an insufficient hold on the card may cause a timeout. Ask your customer to hold the card for a few extra seconds.

2. Checking the card information (customer side)

B. General Issues

  • Unsupported card

    Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted. If possible, ask your customer to pay with a compliant card.

  • Contactless payment disabled

    The contactless payment feature may not be activated on the customer's card. Advise your customer to check their banking app or contact their bank to ensure that contactless payments are enabled on their card.

  • Issuer refusal

    The customer’s bank may block the transaction (issuer refusal) for various reasons, one of which could be an insufficient balance. Suggest that your customer check their balance and/or contact their bank for further information.