# How to take a Tap to Pay payment

> Published: 2026-06-30
> Updated: 2026-07-08
> Category: Run
> Canonical: https://finalpos.com/help/take-a-tap-to-pay-payment

Tap to Pay turns a supported device into the card reader. On a Native Station running on an iPhone or NFC-equipped Android (with NFC on), ring up the sale and tap the Tap to pay button on that same device; the customer then taps their card or phone on it. The sale must be rung up and paid on the same device.

## Key takeaways

- Tap to Pay turns a supported device into its own card reader — no separate terminal needed.
- It works only on a Native Station running on an iPhone or NFC-equipped Android (the Final POS app), with NFC on and Final Pay connected.
- You ring up the sale and take the payment on that same device — you can't ring up on another station (like a Virtual Station) and tap on a separate device.
- At checkout on that device, tap the Tap to pay button — it becomes the reader.
- The customer taps their contactless card or phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the device to pay.

## What is Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay lets your device **act as the card reader** — there's no separate terminal. It's a **Final Pay** payment method: the customer taps their contactless card or phone right on your device. Because the device is the reader, you **ring up the sale and take the payment on that same device**.

## Supported devices

Tap to Pay works only on:

- an **iPhone**, or
- an **NFC-equipped Android device**,

running the **Final POS app** (a Native Station). It is **not available in a web browser**, so a Virtual Station can't take Tap to Pay. **NFC must be turned on**, and **Final Pay** must be connected for your outlet.

On a supported device, Tap to Pay **connects automatically** — it shows up as a reader in Station Settings → Payment, so you don't need to pair it like a Bluetooth reader. If a device isn't supported, Station Settings → Payment shows the banner "Tap to Pay only available on iPhone and NFC-equipped Android devices".

## One device, start to finish

Tap to Pay runs entirely on **one device**: you ring up the sale on the **Native Station that runs on your Tap to Pay device**, and the customer taps on that **same device**. It can't be split across two devices — for example, you can't ring up the order on a **Virtual Station** (in a browser) or another station and then take the payment with Tap to Pay on a separate **iPhone**. Whichever device takes the Tap to Pay payment is the device the sale is rung up on.

## How to take a Tap to Pay payment

1. Make sure your device is supported (iPhone or NFC-equipped Android, in the Final POS app, with NFC on).
2. On that **same device**, **ring up the sale** and go to payment.
3. On the payment screen, tap the **Tap to pay** button. The device itself becomes the reader. (The buttons at checkout come from your flow, so Tap to pay appears alongside options like Cash.)
4. Have the **customer tap** their contactless card or phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the device.
5. Wait for approval, complete the sale, and offer a receipt.

## FAQ

**Q: Which devices support Tap to Pay?**
A: An iPhone or an NFC-equipped Android device running the Final POS app. It isn't available in a web browser.

**Q: Can I ring up on one device and take Tap to Pay on another?**
A: No. Tap to Pay uses the device as its own reader, so the sale is rung up and paid on the same Native Station device. You can't ring up on a Virtual Station (or another device) and then tap on a separate iPhone.

**Q: Do I need a separate card reader?**
A: No — with Tap to Pay the device itself is the reader.

**Q: What can the customer tap?**
A: A contactless card or a phone wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

**Q: Why isn't Tap to Pay available?**
A: The device may not support it (it needs an iPhone or NFC-equipped Android), NFC may be turned off, or you're using a web browser / Virtual Station.