The global number of mobile payments is rapidly growing. Data shows that over 4.5 billion users worldwide are using digital wallets in 2025, with the number expected to reach 5.2 billion as early as 2026. Payments by phone are one of the most convenient and secure ways to pay in stores, restaurants, on public transport, and in many other places around the world.
To make a mobile payment, hold your phone near the POS terminal. Mobile payments are another way to pay contactless with your physical and virtual cards issued by iCard. All users of the iCard mobile app (plan Standard, Infinite or Metal) can make mobile payments.
Mobile payments are possible, thanks to the contactless NFC (Near Field Communication) chips which allow devices such as smartphones, POS terminals, contactless debit cards, NFC wearables, watches, etc. to exchange information.
Your favourite digital wallet allows you to make mobile payments using Google Pay™ and Apple Pay – apps that let you easily add and use your iCard cards. We want to give you the freedom to choose. But how can you decide what method to use to pay with a phone? See the advantages of each of the three options and learn how to make easy, fast, and secure mobile payments.
Google Pay
Google Pay is the fast, simple way to pay contactless and speed through checkout on sites and in apps. It helps you keep all your payment methods organized and protects your info with multiple layers of security.
Android smartphones (version Lollipop 5.0 or newer) are supporting Google Pay. To use this service, you have to download Google Pay app from Google Play Store (or to activate the service in the settings menu of your device). Then, you have to add your physical or virtual Visa card issued by iCard.
Another advantage of Google Pay is the “Buy with G Pay” button, which can be seen when making online payments on some websites and apps. When using this button, you can skip entering your card details and pay for your purchases with an already stored card. If Google Pay is your default payment method, in-store transactions can be made without even entering the app. All you have to do is to unlock your phone and hold it near the POS terminal.
How to add a card to Google Pay?
Here’s how you can add your card issued by iCard to Google Pay directly through your digital wallet:
1. Open the iCard app;
2. Choose the card you want to add to Google Pay;
3. Press the button “Add to G Pay”.
How to pay with Google Pay and iCard?
First, make sure you have activated the NFC and added at least one card to Google Pay. Then:
1. Wake up and unlock your Android phone (it’s not even necessary to log into the Google Pay app);
2. Hold your phone near the POS terminal until you see a checkmark on the screen.
You can track all your transactions made with Google Pay and a card issued by iCard both in the Google Pay app and in your iCard digital wallet.
Apple Pay
The clients of iCard digital wallet with iOS devices can use Apple Pay. The app which allows you to store your debit cards and make contactless payments via an iOS phone is called Apple Wallet. The good news is that the application is already installed on all Apple products when you buy them and you do not need to download it additionally.
You can pay in retail stores all around the world by holding a phone or a smartwatch with Apple Pay near the POS. For online transactions, you can use the convenience to pay without entering additional data.
How to add a card to Apple Pay?
To use Apple Pay, you have to add at least one of your Visa debit cards issued by iCard. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the iCard app on iPhone and choose one of your debit cards;
2. Press the “Add to Apple Wallet” button;
3. Follow the instructions;
4. Choose “Use as Default Card”.
Why using mobile payments is a good idea (Android or iOS)?
Convenience is modern
With iCard, you can choose between three modern methods of mobile payments that will save you effort and time. Feel the power of convenience in your hands. Literally.
Security is a must
Although mobile payments offer many advantages, some consumers are still afraid to pay this way. You need to know that all methods of mobile payments with cards issued by iCard are not only easy but also meet high standards of data security.
Security is our priority. For each transaction made with Google Pay or Apple Pay, the sensitive payment information is replaced by a unique digital identifier – “token”. The actual card data remain hidden.
ATM withdrawals with a phone are also available
With Google Pay and Apple Pay, you can not only make contactless payments but also withdraw cash from all contactless ATMs all over the world. Just hold your phone closer to the contactless symbol.
You can pay with your phone without Internet
It is possible to pay with your phone even without an active internet connection. This is thanks to the NFC technology, which allows your device to communicate directly with the POS terminal. Google Pay and Apple Pay store a secure version of your card on your device, so you can make contactless payments even in airplane mode. However, there may be a limited number of consecutive offline transactions, after which an internet connection will be required to refresh the security data.
Pay with your phone anywhere in the world
With iCard and the Google Pay and Apple Pay digital wallets, you can pay in Bulgaria and abroad – anywhere that accepts contactless payments. You just need to bring your device closer to the POS terminal.
What do you need to pay with your phone?
To start paying with your phone, you need:
- a smartphone with NFC function;
- an added iCard card in Google Pay or Apple Pay;
- an activated security method – PIN code, fingerprint or facial recognition.
Then you can make payments quickly and easily with just one touch.
All privileges are in your phone
Don’t forget that you get special privileges with every transaction you make with some of the cards issued by iCard. This also applies to transactions made with Google Pay and Apple Pay. If you pay with your phone and iCard Metal, for example, you will get 0,2% cashback for the payments you made in Europe and 1% of all payments made outside Europe.
Download iCard and enjoy convenient and secure mobile payments in millions of places around the world:
