You might have learned about Fitbit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. It is a mobile payment system that connects with contactless payment readers. It helps you check out at a store from your smartwatch without needing your wallet or phone.
Let’s find out what Garmin Pay is, how it works, and how to use it.
For instance, with Garmin Pay, you can be out shopping, stop to buy a bottle of water, and pay for it with just your Garmin device.
Here’s what you must know about Garmin Pay, including which devices provide it and how it works.
What is Garmin Pay?
This payment system works just like other contemporary contactless payment systems. With a compatible Garmin smartwatch, you can make payments by holding your wrist close to a contactless card reader—that’s it.
There’s no need to look for your phone, wallet, cards, or cash.
How to set up Garmin Pay
It is pretty easy to set up Garmin Pay. All you have to do is go to your smartphone’s Garmin Connect mobile app and tap Garmin. Your linked device will come to the top of the page.
You’ll be directed to add your MasterCard or Visa card (or Maestro or Discover), which Garmin Pay will use to make purchases. First, opt for the card type, then manually enter your card data. You’ll also have to join a security code that you’ll be sent.
You will also need a passcode on your watch to secure it – this is a four-digit PIN code.
Once you complete the verification and tokenisation process, the card is added to your wallet. You can see it by tapping Garmin Pay.
When you tap on a card in the Garmin Connect app, you will also have the option to temporarily suspend or delete it from your wallet.
How do you use Garmin Pay in a store?
This mobile payment system works almost everywhere and accepts contactless payments. During checkout, look for the contactless payments icon near card readers.
Some stores may not have a particular Garmin Pay accepted logo in their window, unlike Google Pay and Apple Pay. If you see a contactless payment symbol, you should be able to use your Garmin device to pay.
How to make a Payment with Garmin Pay
Press and hold the action button on your watch to bring up the Navigation Controls menu. Then, hit the virtual wallet icon and put in your four-digit passcode.
You will be directed to enter your passcode every 24 hours or after every time you put the watch back on after taking it off. Your last-used card will automatically appear when the wallet opens, but you can change to a different card.
To switch, swipe down on your screen to the next one. Once you’ve selected a preferred card, your watch will direct you to keep your wrist close to a contactless card reader.
The outer edge of your watch face will light up green after a few moments to indicate that the purchase is done. Once it is done, it will return to your default watch face. You are done.
Alert: Three incorrect attempts at entering your passcode will lock your virtual wallet on the watch itself. You’ll have to go to the Garmin Connect app on your phone to set a new passcode. (You must re-enter your old passcode to reset your new password.
If you don’t remember it, Garmin will delete your virtual wallet to protect you. If this happens, repeat the setup steps that were prompted.)
Which Devices Support Garmin Pay?
This payment system is available on 51 of Garmin’s current devices. The complete list can be viewed on Garmin’s website, but here is a short list of a few of the supported devices.
- Garmin Forerunner – 645, 645 Music, 745, 945
- Garmin Vivoactive – 4, 4s, 3, 3 Music
- Garmin Fenix 6 – Pro Solar, Pro, Sapphire, Solar, S Pro Solar, S Pro, S Sapphire, S, X Pro, X Sapphire, X Pro Solar
- Garmin Vivomove – Luxe, Style
- Garmin Venu – Venu Sq, Venu Sq Music, Venu 2
Which cards/banks support Garmin Pay?
Garmin Pay works with “many credit and debit cards from major banks” and many major credit and debit cards, including Visa and MasterCard.
Although MasterCard and Visa cards are all compatible, you cannot use them by default with any bank unless your bank is supported. You can’t connect your card if your bank doesn’t support this payment system.
Google Pay and Apple Pay took a while to get banks on board with their respective mobile payment technologies, and it will take time for your bank to support them.
Some traditional banks don’t support Garmin Pay, but many cards and online bank providers do, so if your bank isn’t supported, you might consider opening a new account to give you access.
What else should you know?
You won’t need any other authentication, such as a fingerprint scan, in addition to the passcode you created during setup, but you might not be able to make large payments.