A guide to Samsung Wallet (Samsung Pay) in the UK: limits, how to use it and is it safe?

Thinking of using a mobile wallet? If you have a Samsung device, you might be interested to know about Samsung Wallet (the new name for Samsung Pay).

In this handy guide, we’ll run through how Samsung Wallet works and how to use it. We’ll also look at security features, limits, compatible devices, availability and much more. This should help you work out if it’s the right choice for you.

Remember that your Wise card is compatible with digital wallets like Samsung Wallet. And with the handy Wise app, you can hold, convert, send and receive multiple currencies all in one place.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

What is Samsung Wallet?

Samsung Wallet, formerly known as Samsung Pay, is the digital wallet provided by Samsung.

It can hold your payment cards, such as credit and debit cards, as well as other things like boarding passes, reward cards and membership cards. You can even add digital car keys if you drive a compatible vehicle.

Samsung Wallet is similar to Google Wallet in its features, which include:

• Add debit/credit cards, membership and reward cards
• Add digital car or house keys - if you have an electronic door lock or vehicle which supports ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, you can use Samsung Wallet to open and lock doors with your phone. You can also link digital keys to the app via SmartThings.
• Store ID cards - such as your student ID, driving licence or company ID pass
• Store transport tickets and boarding passes
• Samsung Knox security protection
• Sign in using biometric data linked to your Samsung Pass
• Use online and in-stores
• Use with Galaxy Watch and you can simply tap to pass through public transport barriers, or enter buildings with stored ID cards.

How do I use Samsung Wallet?

To start using Samsung Wallet, all you need to do is install the app. It may already be pre-installed on your Samsung phone, especially if you have one of the latest Samsung Galaxy devices. If so, you might need to update the app to the latest version.

If you don’t already have the app, you can find it in the Google Play store or the Galaxy Store.

Once installed, you’ll need to:¹

1. Sign into your Samsung account - or create one if you don’t have an account already
2. Tap ‘Allow’ to grant the app any permissions it requests
3. Set up a verification method, such as fingerprint or PIN authentication
4. Read and agree to the Samsung Wallet Terms of Service
5. Choose a PIN to access the app, and enter it again to confirm
6. Add a debit or credit card - we’ll look at how to do this next.

Once you’re set up, using your new digital wallet is easy. Wherever you see the contactless payments symbol at the till, you should be able to use Samsung Pay. Simply open the app and hold your phone near the terminal, just like making a contactless payment with your card.

How to add a card to Samsung Wallet

To add a new payment card to Samsung Wallet, follow these steps:¹

1. Open the Samsung Wallet app
2. Tap the + icon
3. Select ‘Add payment card’
4. Scan your card or enter the details manually
5. Verify your card with an SMS code, or choose another method to complete the verification process.

Compatibility and availability

Samsung Wallet is a digital wallet designed only for use with compatible Samsung devices, including Samsung Galaxy phones and watches. This means you can’t use it with Apple iOS phones, or any other Android devices.

Your device’s operating system will need to be Android 9 or above.¹

You should be able to use your Samsung Wallet virtually anywhere you see the contactless symbol displayed, or where contactless card payments are accepted.

Samsung Pay limits

The Samsung Wallet itself has no limits on how much you can spend at once, or per day/month.

But there may be spending limits set by your bank or card provider, or by the retailer accepting contactless payments. In the UK, the contactless payment limit is currently set at a maximum of £100.

Is Samsung Pay safe?

Samsung Wallet uses a number of sophisticated security measures to protect you and your money. This includes:²

• Samsung Knox technology, which keeps card information encrypted in a secure data vault and also monitors your phone for suspicious transactions
• Tokenisation - this involves creating a unique, randomised set of numbers for each transaction, so your real card number is never used or shared with retailers and merchants.
• Access to Samsung Wallet is via Samsung Pass, which secures all your passwords and login details behind secure PIN or fingerprint access. Biometric or PIN authentication is also used to validate every transaction.
• If your phone is lost or stolen, you can lock or delete your Samsung Pay account remotely using the Find My Phone feature.

Get a Wise card for your Samsung Wallet and save money while travelling

Your Wise card is also compatible with Samsung Wallet and its convenient, safe payments.

When you open a Wise account, you can get a Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7. This clever card automatically converts your pounds into the local currency in 150+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent currency conversion fee.

You can add your Wise card to Samsung Wallet in just a few taps by following the steps above. Then you can spend and pay using just your phone worldwide. You can also create Wise virtual cards, and use them with Samsung Pay just as you would any other card.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

And that’s it - your handy guide to Samsung Pay (now called Samsung Wallet), including how to use it, security features, limits and more.

You should now be all set to compare it to other digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, to see if it’s the right choice for you.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 04-Nov-2024