During this year, Google has released Android Pay, the company’s contactless payment system, in various regions and countries like the UK and Australia. Now it’s time for Android users in Hong Kong to enjoy the benefits of this feature.
Residents of China’s special administrative region, Hong Kong, are now able to make contactless payments in over 5,000 stores across the city. Any user with an Android 4.4 KitKat or higher smartphone that supports Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology is able to download the Android Pay app from the Google Play Store.
Users who meet the above criteria that also have a Visa or Mastercard credit card issued by six banks in the city such as the Bank of East Asia, Dah Sing Bank, Standard Chartered, Hang Seng bank and HSBC, can link their cards with the Android Pay app. Only after this process is complete can they start using the new feature.
There are various types of stores and outlets that have the necessary technology. From fast food restaurants like Pacific Coffee, KFC, and McDonalds, to 7-Eleven convenience stores and even pharmacies like Watsons and Mannings.
The Android Pay app doesn’t limit the number of credit cards you can link to your account. Additionally, the app even allows users to store their gift and loyalty cards as well as any special offers and promotions.
One other benefit of using Android Pay, besides the great credit card management options it provides, is that it simplifies the process of buying new apps and helps users with in-app purchases like credits for a game. Apps that are currently compatible with the NFC payment system are Deliveroo, Kaligo, Boutir Collect, Snaptee, and Klook. Although the list is very limited, it only at the start of the service as Google is already planning to make Android Pay compatible with a lot more apps in the future, including popular services like Uber.
Android Pay is already more successful than the company’s previous attempt at a mobile payment system called Google Wallet. They decided to implement the service in Hong Kong because 80 percent of the city’s residents have smartphones. It also seeks to maintain its competition with Apple and their Apple Pay service which is already available in the region.