How to turn on NFC on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Connected devices › Connection preferences › NFC › Use NFC

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

What we did

Looked at each screen; changed nothing

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Connection preferences

   Go to Settings, Connected devices, and tap Connection preferences.

   Done

2. 

   Tap NFC

   NFC said On.

   Done

3. 

   Turn on Use NFC

   Use NFC was on. Below it are Contactless payments and Require device unlock.

   Done

4. 

   Check Require device unlock

   Require device unlock was off: Allow contactless payments only when screen is unlocked. Turn it on if you want to unlock for every payment.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No NFC setting? Google says that if you don't see the NFC setting, your phone doesn't have NFC. Source: Turn on NFC for contactless payments
• Contactless payments empty? Our phone had no Google Wallet app installed, and the Contactless payments page did not open for us. Install Wallet and add a card first.

If this does not work

• Payment fails? Google says NFC must be on and the phone near the reader; with Require device unlock on, unlock first. Source: Turn on NFC for contactless payments
• Wrong payment app? Default apps, Wallet app, decides it: how to change default apps.

About this guide

NFC lets the phone pay at a card reader and pair with some accessories. It was on on our Pixel.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), in Dark mode. We only looked at these screens and changed nothing. Google Wallet was not installed on ours, so we could not add a card.

Good to know

Pair headphones: how to pair a Bluetooth device.

In short: Settings, Connected devices, Connection preferences, NFC, Use NFC.