cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/15358017

Google Pay alternative?

Hey there, I’m looking for an alternative to Google pay that’ll allow me to use NFC payments etc. Thoughts?

          • themeatbridge@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            2 months ago

            You seem to be confused about what NFC is and does. You don’t need an app to use NFC. You can just use regular money via a bank card.

            • RubberElectrons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
              1·
              2 months ago

              I wanted NFC for payments if that were possible. I also need NFC for things like gym access, where it appears they’re using the NFC system to grant access. Adoption of that process unfortunately uses Google pay.

              Want, vs need in a single question.

              • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                2 months ago

                Apps in general can use the phone’s NFC hardware if that’s what you’re asking. But they can’t authenticate to the payment networks unless they have special credentials like Google pay. And they will generally detect whether your phone has been rooted, which gets in the way of degoogling. If you really want to degoogle, you have to root your phone.

                I just don’t understand why NFC is better than a credit card. Cards support contactless payment these days, so you just tap against the card terminal. My phone has NFC and I have some ideas for it, but am fine using a credit card for card payments.

                • RubberElectrons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
                  1·
                  2 months ago

                  I don’t need it instead of my credit card, but I don’t ride the train often enough to bring the NFC card along. Ideally it’d live on my phone for when I do need it.

                  The real issue is how tightly integrated with Google pay everything is. I’m simply looking for at least some of the features gpay has without using gpay.

                  If I could at least use my phone to NFC my gym as well as my train rides, I’d be very happy. Credit card payments, I don’t care as much.

      • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        2 months ago

        Enough USD can support anything. And for privacy all that phone app stuff doesn’t come close. Why degoogle just to throw yourself into yet another spyware app? Anyway the obvious competitor is Apple. Or you could use an ordinary credit card instead of a phone.

  • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radioEnglish
    6·
    2 months ago

    Why?

    It’s a serious question. What features are you missing, what do you dislike, etc.

    Otherwise the answer might easily be: search for “NFC payment” in Google Play and that’s not helpful.

    • RubberElectrons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      Some number of apps are using pay for more than NFC payment, for ex some ticketing applications from concert organizers don’t seem to offer an alternative to use of pay. I was also hoping for support of NFC payment somehow, but had low hopes because I expect there’s PCI compliance or whatever.

      Because I don’t know the backend of the compliance process etc, not an I particularly interested in researching that, figured I’d ask in this community and find at least a couple of knowledgeable answers.