• EFTPOS & Point of Sale Solutions

How to Accept Contactless Card Payments on Your Smartphone

5 min. read22.11.2023
By Team Zeller

Can you take contactless card payments with just your mobile phone?

Yes! Until last year, accepting contactless card payments on your phone required you to have a mobile credit card reader either plugged into your phone or connected via Bluetooth. Now, thanks to the latest smartphone technology, you don’t need any extra hardware, all you need is a mobile app that's enabled with Tap to Pay technology, that allows you to accept card payments directly from your phone.

What is it called when you take contactless card payments on your mobile phone?

1. Download Zeller App

With Zeller App you’ll be able to accept payments and manage your business finances from anywhere.

2. Create your free Zeller Account

Follow the prompts to open your account then complete the verification process.

3. Enable Tap to Pay

Select ‘Tap to Pay’ from the left hand side menu and follow the prompts to set it up.

4. Start accepting payments

Once Tap to Pay is set up, simply enter the payment amount and let your customer tap their card, phone, or wearable against your smartphone to complete the transaction.

The process of accepting a contactless payment on your phone (using its inbuilt technology, not a mobile card reader) is known as ‘Tap to Pay’. This term applies to both iPhone and Android devices that are using a financial services app – such as Zeller App – to accept contactless credit and debit cards and digital wallets.

Can you use any smartphone as an EFTPOS terminal?

Only selected iPhone and Android smartphones, with built-in NFC technology will support Tap to Pay.

What Android phones can be used to take card payments?

Android 10 or later versions with NFC technology will support Tap to Pay on Android.

What iPhones can be used to take card payments?

Currently, the feature is available to all users with an iPhone XS or later, using iOS 16.4 or later. It’s important to note that in order to use Tap to Pay on iPhone, users must be signed in to their iPhone with an Apple ID.

What app lets you take EFTPOS payments on your phone?

There are a number of different payment apps that can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store that support Tap to Pay. Zeller App is a great option for Australian businesses looking for a simple, affordable, and scalable platform to accept EFTPOS payments and manage their finances as they grow. Merchants wishing to take payments on their phone will simply need to download their selected app, and follow the steps to configure their device. Once configured, they can then start accepting EFTPOS payments immediately.

Tap-to-Pay-Flow

Accepting contactless payments on Zeller App is easy and instant.

Is it safe to take EFTPOS payments on your mobile phone?

Taking contactless payments on your mobile phone relies on ‘Near Field Communication’, or NFC – the same technology that is used for making payments with a mobile wallet. Account information is transmitted from a customer’s card or mobile wallet to the payment processor via radio waves within a very close range, and once received, the processor uses the information to complete the transaction. By virtue of the fact that NFC only works within a couple of centimetres, it makes it incredibly difficult for a potential fraudster to intercept the transaction and steal sensitive information.

Tap to Pay on both Android and iPhone via the Zeller App offers highly secure contactless payments that adhere to global security standards. Both platforms support various card types, regularly verify device security, include secure PIN processes and use advanced technology to ensure every transaction is not only convenient but also protected, maintaining the privacy and safety of user information. Additionally, Tap to Pay on iPhone ensures secure transactions through Apple's unique features, such as issuing decryption keys after thorough validation and leveraging the iPhone's built-in security element.

I’d already spent thousands of dollars on setting up my business, I didn’t want to have to pay for an EFTPOS terminal. I’d rather spend that money on cleaning products.

Sebastian Fernández Mackenzie, Seb's Mobile Car Wash

How much does it cost to take contactless card payment on your mobile phone?

Tap to Pay technology is facilitated by payment apps, each of which have their own pricing structures. The cost of taking card payments on your phone will therefore depend on which app you choose to process these payments. Zeller, for example, offers one low flat transaction fee of 1.4% for all cards, including American Express. The advantage of Zeller is that it is one of the few payment apps that also lets you pass the transaction fee onto your customer through surcharging. If you choose to surcharge, you will incur no fee whatsoever for accepting contactless payments on your phone.

I need to take contactless card payments immediately, what should I do?

If you want to be able to use your phone like an EFTPOS terminal within a few hours, it’s important that you choose a payment app that has a simple, online sign-up process. All the payment apps will require you to have an account with them first, and in the case of the banks, this will mean opening a business bank account which may take several days and an in-person branch visit. With Zeller, you can open an account online, within a matter of minutes – no paperwork required. Once your Zeller Account is up and running, you simply need to download Zeller App, enable Tap to Pay on your device, and you’re ready to start taking card payments on your smartphone.

What are the advantages of accepting contactless card payments on your mobile phone?

It’s affordable

Not all businesses can justify the upfront cost of an EFTPOS terminal, especially if they are not processing a large volume of in-person payments. Being able to use hardware that you already own is therefore a much more cost-effective solution. It allows new businesses or very small businesses to get up and running without the outlay of having to purchase an EFTPOS terminal.

It’s mobile

For mobile businesses that take in-person payments, having to carry a bulky EFTPOS machine around with you is inconvenient. Using your mobile phone as a payment terminal means you can keep it in your pocket and enjoy being hands-free.

It’s great for emergencies

For businesses that use a traditional EFTPOS machine, having an app installed and configured to take payments on your phone means that if there’s ever a day when your terminal lets you down or when you have a surge in customers, you won’t miss a beat. In the case of an outage or damaged EFTPOS machine, rather than having to revert to cash-only payments – which will almost certainly lead to lost sales in this day and age – you can keep trading as per usual by simply using your phone.

Are there any other hardware-free payment options?

In addition to Tap to Pay, there’s another simple solution for taking card payments instantly with no hardware required: Virtual Terminal. If you need a way to charge customers, but in-person payments aren’t possible, this is a great alternative. Zeller Virtual Terminal is a web-based tool that lets you take payments over the phone (as well as mail order, fax, or email) by manually entering a customer’s card details into your browser. Alternatively, merchants have the option of sending customers a secure payment link via email or SMS, where they can enter their card details themselves from their own device.

Meet Zeller: an all-in-one financial services provider.

When you sign up for a free Zeller Account today, not only will you be able to start taking card payments on your phone, you will also gain access to a suite of financial services, from a Zeller Transaction Account to debit cards, invoicing, virtual terminal and more. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and it’s all done online – no paperwork or branch-visits required.

Start using Tap to Pay with Zeller App.

Introducing Tap to Pay on iPhone with Zeller App

No EFTPOS machine? No problem. All you need is your iPhone and Zeller App. Welcome to the future, where transactions can be made instantly, contactlessly, securely, and now without any additional hardware. Whether you’re a sole trader or a fast-paced business looking for a flexible back-up solution, Tap to Pay on iPhone , which is now enabled in your Zeller App, lets customers pay you easily on your iPhone. To learn more about how to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone click here. Powered by Zeller’s industry-leading smartphone app , this new solution to accept contactless payments includes all the Zeller functionality you know and love, including tipping, surcharging, transaction notes, digital receipts, sales tracking and more. With a straightforward set-up process and one low, flat transaction fee for all cards, Tap to Pay on iPhone and Zeller App does away with complex paperwork, branch visits and fee schedules, instead affording you the ability to take payments quickly and simply. Read on to discover everything you need to know about this cutting-edge tool and how you can get up and running in a matter of minutes. Not an iPhone user? Learn about Tap to Pay on Android here. What is it? Tap to Pay on iPhone is a payments feature, now available on the Zeller App , that lets you accept contactless payments on your iPhone, without the need to invest in an EFTPOS terminal. Customers can simply tap their credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or digital wallet to your iPhone, and/or enter their card PIN number, just like they would do on a regular EFTPOS machine . In this case, the transaction is accepted using EMV Contactless technology. How does it work? Once you’ve signed up online for your free Zeller Account, downloaded the Zeller App to your iPhone, and set up Tap to Pay on your device (see below) accepting contactless payments is a breeze. Simply tap on ‘Tap to Pay’ in the sidebar, key in an amount, present your iPhone to your customer who can pay using a physical card or digital wallet, and wait for the transaction to be approved. It’s as simple as that. Do all iPhones have Tap to Pay? Currently, the feature is available to all users with an iPhone XS or later, using iOS 16.4 or later. It’s important to note that in order to use Tap to Pay on iPhone, users must be signed in to their iPhone with an Apple ID. How much does it cost? Zeller charges one low, flat fee of 1.4% per transaction, for all card types — including American Express. However, businesses have the option of passing on this fee to their customers through surcharging . Businesses can choose to toggle surcharging on or off via the Zeller App or Dashboard. Who is it designed for? Tap to Pay on iPhone and Zeller App is a flexible solution that can be used by all types of businesses, but is especially suited to those whose payment processing requirements don’t justify a full-scale fleet of EFTPOS terminals or advanced features such as Integrated EFTPOS , Pay at Table or printed receipts. What solution you choose will largely depend on your volume of customers and your specific business needs. If you run a busy bar, having a hard-wearing EFTPOS machine on the counter is naturally a better choice. However, for sole traders on the move or smaller businesses such as market stalls, boutiques or clinics with a need for only one or two payment terminals, Tap to Pay on iPhone and Zeller App is an ideal solution. Regardless of your business size, having the Tap to Pay on iPhone feature set up can give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve got a quick and easy backup option if you ever need one. What about receipts, refunds, and tipping? Tap to Pay on iPhone with Zeller App does not compromise on functionality. Digital receipts can be sent to your customers via text or email; the tipping option can be toggled on, which automatically presents your customers with the option to leave a tip; and users will be able to process refunds directly from Zeller App. What’s more, transactions can be assigned to a contact and notes can be left, making reconciliation a breeze later on. What cards are accepted? Tap to Pay on iPhone and Zeller App accepts contactless payments for all major cards including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Apple Pay, and a range of other digital wallets including Samsung Pay and Google Pay. Is Tap to Pay safe? Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the built-in features of iPhone to help keep your business and customer data private and secure. When a payment is processed, Apple doesn’t store card numbers on the device or on Apple servers so combined with Zeller’s industry-leading security, you can rest assured knowing your business and customer data is protected. Is Tap to Pay available on Android? Yes it is! Click here to learn how Tap to Pay works on Android . Get started. If you’re not yet using Zeller, you will need to create your free account first . This can be done on a desktop or mobile device in a few minutes. Then, simply download the Zeller App. If you already have a Zeller Account , log in to the Zeller App. Once on the app, follow the prompts to begin your set up and start taking payments in minutes.

How NFC Mobile Payments Work

Mobile wallets are quickly gaining traction in Australia — but do you understand how the technology actually works? These days, Australians are using their mobile phones to make money, save money and invest money. You’re probably familiar with how apps like eBay, Gumtree, and Raiz work, and comfortable using at least a couple of them. But what about the technology that lets your customers spend money at your business using their mobile phones? Many of the major tech players have built their own mobile wallets that allow for contactless payment, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. These mobile wallets make it possible for a customer to pay for goods or services through their phone, smartwatch, or other device, no physical contact required. It’s a convenient, quick, and sanitary way to take payment. Take a peek inside your customers’ wallets A mobile wallet  gives your customers the ability to pay via a trusted device. Also known as digital wallets or eWallets, mobile wallets are a driving force behind the “cashless” fintech trend . There are a couple of key players you should know about. What is Apple Pay? Apple Pay is Apple’s own mobile wallet. The Apple Pay mobile wallet works on Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. When Apple Pay launched back in 2014, it was described as “ revolutionary ”; Apple Pay promised (and delivered) a secure, simple way to pay via a mobile device. What is Google Pay? Google’s mobile wallet, developed shortly after Apple Pay, works on most Android phones. Google Pay was originally known as Android Pay, and is almost an identical offering to its Apple counterpart. What is Samsung Pay? Samsung eventually caught up with the pack in 2016, when it released its own mobile wallet: Samsung Pay. As a relatively recent newcomer, Samsung Pay isn’t available in as many countries as Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, it is supported in Australia. There are a number of other mobile wallets available on the App Store and Google Play Store, including Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay which work on wearable devices (i.e. smart watches). While there are some minor differences between mobile wallets, the main purpose remains the same: to allow a customer pay contactlessly. It’s all possible thanks to Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, and if you’re going to accept contactless payments in your business, you should really know how it all works. What is “contactless payment”? Contactless payment is exactly what it sounds like: a way of paying without human contact. It’s often described as “tap-and-go” payment. To pay contactlessly, a customer taps their card or trusted device to an EFTPOS terminal. The EFTPOS terminal then reads the credit or debit card information and charges the customer’s account. Australians use contactless payment more often than any other country in the world; four in five pay contactlessly at least once a week. In fact, Australians are so used to being able to pay contactless that when a business doesn’t accept contactless payments, one third feel inconvenienced (and some will even avoid those businesses altogether). There are a number of benefits for both the paying customer and the business accepting payment contactlessly. Transactions are faster This innovative payment method makes in-store transactions even faster, because customers can simply tap their device instead of inserting it. That means a quicker customer turnover, positioning merchants to make more money in a shorter period of time, and a better customer experience. The technology behind contactless payments also makes the transaction fast from a technical perspective. We’ll dive deeper into this in just a moment. Customer information is less visible Contactless payment is also designed to be safer than traditional payment methods, as a customer’s physical card is never handed over to the person taking payment. Tapping a card only takes a second or two, meaning the card number is much less visible to strangers. When accepting contactless payment through a mobile device, the card number isn’t visible at all. A customer simply has to tap their device to the EFTPOS terminal. Mobile wallets are more secure There’s an extra element of security protecting payments through mobile wallets: tokenization. This is the technology that keeps a customer's bank details safe in their mobile wallet. Put simply, tokenization is the process of replacing sensitive card data with a series of randomly generated numbers: a “token”. Even if a fraudster managed to get around the protective measures already in place on a mobile device (such as a fingerprint scanner, password or facial recognition technology), they would not be able to access card data. Want more details? Here’s how it usually works: A customer takes a picture of their credit or debit card, and loads it into their mobile wallet. Their mobile wallet provider sends the details to the card’s issuing bank or network, where the details are then replaced with a random token. This token is then sent back to the mobile wallet provider, and from there the token is programmed into the mobile wallet – effectively rendering the mobile wallet useless to fraudsters. Contactless payments are safer On top of being faster and safer, accepting payments contactlessly is a more sanitary option. The COVID-19 pandemic has made many people realise just how often they come into close contact with strangers every day, and passing money back and forth is one of the ways they do that. The average banknote lasts about eight years before it deteriorates and becomes unfit for use — consider how many hands may touch a banknote throughout its lifespan. By using contactless payment options, customers can pay for your products or services without direct contact, keeping themselves and your business safe. Now you know the benefits of contactless payment, it’s important to explain how NFC technology makes it possible. What is NFC technology, and how does it work? Do you have your Alexa or Google device connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth, or your computer connected to your printer wirelessly over Wi-Fi? These devices recognise each other, and communicate over radio waves. NFC technology works in a similar way. When a customer makes a purchase using NFC technology, their card or device transmits account information via radio waves to the payment processor. Once received, the processor uses the information to complete the transaction. You may be wondering how the payment processor is able to charge the customer’s card without ever physically touching it. The answer is in the name of the technology: “near field.” The device transmitting payment information (i.e. the customer’s card or mobile device) has to be within a few centimetres of the device on the receiving end (i.e. your EFTPOS terminal). It’s this requirement for close proximity that makes contactless payments a secure option. If the transaction could be completed from further away, that could lead to the payment processor charging the wrong customer’s card. An advantage of NFC technology is that it processes payments incredibly quickly. The payment processor has inductive coupling capabilities, which means it can automatically recognise an appropriate device without a manual connection. When a customer pays for something with NFC technology, it takes a few seconds or less — allowing for a frictionless, speedy exchange. Accept payments the way your customers expect Now that you understand how NFC technology works, you can feel more comfortable accepting contactless payments from your customers. At Zeller, we're reimagining business banking. Our next-gen EFTPOS Terminal accepts tapped, dipped, and swiped payments, as well as mobile wallets, so you can accept payment however it is most convenient for your customer.

Introducing: Zeller Virtual Terminal

A simple solution for taking card payments instantly with no hardware required. So you need a way to charge your customers, but you don’t have time for invoicing, in-person payments aren’t possible, and setting up a payment gateway is too costly. What’s the solution? Meet Zeller Virtual Terminal . A secure, convenient and cost-effective way to process payments either by accepting your customer’s card details over the phone, or by sending them a payment link. This new feature is the latest addition to Zeller’s robust suite of payment solutions and gives businesses even more flexibility to tailor payments to their needs. Read on to discover what a virtual terminal is, who it’s designed for and how to use it with Zeller. What is a virtual terminal? A virtual terminal does the job of an EFTPOS machine , virtually. It is a web-based tool that allows you to process payments made over the phone (as well as mail order, fax, or email) by manually entering a customer’s card details into the browser of a computer or mobile device. In the case of Zeller Virtual Terminal, merchants can also send customers a secure payment link where they can enter their card details themselves. It therefore enables businesses to transform their desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet into a payment system, without the need to purchase a physical EFTPOS machine. Why use a virtual terminal? A virtual terminal is a highly useful solution for situations where card-not-present payments need to be made instantly, or for businesses looking for a cost-effective way to accept payments electronically. The beauty of this solution is that all you need is your own device and a browser – no other hardware is required. What’s more, unlike an EFTPOS machine or payment gateway that will incur an upfront cost or monthly fees, a virtual terminal is a very cost-effective way to take payments, where only a small per-transaction fee will be charged. Plus, if you’d like to reduce your costs to zero, Zeller gives you the option of passing on the transaction fee to your customer through surcharging . Whether your business is still in its infancy and you aren’t ready to invest in a long-term solution, whether you need need a backup option to be able to take payments when your EFTPOS machine is in use, or whether you just want to save on costs: there are a number of reasons why a virtual terminal is a great solution. Which types of businesses use virtual terminals? New businesses Businesses just getting off the ground may not yet have the capital or the volume of customers to justify buying an EFTPOS terminal or investing in a payment gateway. A virtual terminal is a great interim solution that helps you build your revenue without the costly outlay. Food venues offering phone orders or taking event bookings At busy restaurants or cafes where customers can place orders or paid reservations over the phone, typing customer details into an EFTPOS machine isn’t always practical. Having a virtual terminal means that the EFTPOS machine can be freed up for in-person purchases, while another staff member can manage the phone payments via their preferred device. Freelancers, consultants or professional service providers While invoicing is a common payment method used by the likes of accountants, bookkeepers, graphic designers, or architects, it doesn’t have to be the only option. Giving customers another, immediate way to pay with virtual terminals means clients can settle up instantly, doing away with administrative and cash flow hassles caused by late payments. Mobile businesses For businesses that move from one location to another, a virtual terminal is a great alternative to having to carry around a physical EFTPOS machine. Gardeners, mobile pet groomers, event caterers or repair technicians can simply send their customers an SMS or payment link that can be settled up on the spot. Retailers or wholesalers Companies offering wholesale or custom orders may require immediate payment for their goods, but are unlikely to have a shopfront where they can take an in-person payment. A virtual terminal lets them accept payment remotely so they can ship the items quickly. Social media influencers With a virtual terminal, influencers communicating with their clients through social media channels don’t need to take their work onto a different platform. Instead they can simply copy a payment link and share it via direct message on Instagram or TikTok. How does Zeller Virtual Terminal work? Accessed from Zeller Dashboard, anyone who has a free Zeller Account will have access to the feature. Before getting started, you’ll need to enable Virtual Terminal from Site Settings on your Dashboard. Each transaction will incur a 1.75% + 25 c fee, which can be passed onto the customer through surcharging. Manually accepting a payment Once logged in, simply click on ‘Virtual Terminal’ on the left hand side panel, and start entering in the relevant details. If you have multiple business locations, these will be listed under ‘Site’. Select the Site you wish to take the payment for, enter the value, select the contact you wish to charge or create a new contact, add any notes about the transaction then click, ‘Continue to Payment’. Fill in your customer’s card details then click ‘Pay’. Once the payment has been processed, you will have the option of sending your customer a digital receipt via email or SMS. Sending a payment link If you would prefer to send your customer a link to enter their card details themselves, from Zeller Virtual Terminal, click ‘Send Payment Link via Email’ or ‘Send Payment Link via SMS’. Enter the mobile number or email address of the customer and click ‘Send Link’. Alternatively you can click ‘Copy Link’ and share the link with your customers in a direct message on social media or via Whatsapp or iMessage for example. The link is secure and will direct customers to a page where they can enter their card details and proceed with the payment. Once the payment has been processed, customers will have the option to download a copy of the receipt. Surcharging Zeller Virtual Terminal gives merchants the option to fully or partially pass on the transaction fee (1.75% + 25c) to customers through surcharging . To enable or manage this function, go to Sites and toggle surcharging off or on. When toggled on, you will be given the option of nominating a percentage of the fee to surcharge. Connecting payments to contacts When you use Zeller Virtual Terminal , Zeller Invoices , or Zeller EFTPOS Terminal , each transaction processed can be assigned to a singular contact to help you track unpaid balances, view payment history and manage relationships with your customers. If you take payments through a combination of Zeller’s payment methods, the Zeller Contact Directory allows you to select a contact and see any previous transactions or outstanding payments across all payment methods. So, whether you choose to use Virtual Terminal alone, or in combination with EFTPOS and Invoices, contact linking ensures your records are always simple to manage and up to date. At Zeller, we understand that all businesses are different. That’s why we’re dedicated to bringing you tailored solutions to help manage your finances. Keep up to date with all the latest product releases, features and enhancements by signing up to the Zeller Newsletter .

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