UK-based Barclays Bank has introduced its own NFC-based payment app, similar to Google‘s Android Pay.
Barclays Bank took this decision after it showed a lack of interest in joining Google‘s bandwagon for Android Pay.
The NFC based service will allow customers to make payments up to £100 via compatible terminals. Barclay’s customers with compatible NFC-enabled phones can download the app from the bank’s website.
To use the service, users need to select the Contactless Mobile option in the app, choose the relevant card and then follow steps to make the Barclays app the default source of payment.
Once this is done, the device will need to be woken up and then tapped against a contactless terminal.
Barclays’ app allows for payments up to £100, with payments below £30 not requiring a PIN. Payments ranging between £30 – 100 a PIN will be required.
Users can pay through contactless mobile in 400,000 locations across the UK. Payments can also be made outside UK where Visa is accepted.
Barclays has also introduced a feature which will allow a customer to continue to use the card, even when it is stolen or lost.
The user just needs to cancel the card and all the details about the card will be downloaded onto the app and hence, the user would be able to use his or cards.
On the other hand, for Android Pay, the user has to wait until the card is received by mail and only then the card can be used through Android Pay.
The app is supported on NFC-enabled phones running on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat and beyond.
