NFC or tap to pay not working on a Samsung Galaxy: fixes

howtosimply.com/guides/nfc-or-tap-to-pay-not-working-on-a-samsung-galaxy-fixes/ · Checked October 2026 · Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

4 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 3 official sources below

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Connections

Real screenshots

4 of 5 steps

What we did

Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing

Our phone

Shown on Galaxy A57, One UI 8.5

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Turn on NFC

   Open Settings, Connections, NFC and contactless payments. The switch at the top must say On. Ours is on.

   Done

2. 

   Find where to hold the phone

   The picture shows where the NFC antenna sits. Hold that part of the phone against the reader, not the bottom edge.

   Done

3. 

   Choose the default wallet app

   Tap Default wallet app and pick the app you pay with, for example Google Wallet or your bank's app. Ours uses Samsung Wallet.

   Done

4. Remove what blocks the signal

   Take the phone out of a thick, metal or magnetic case and remove cards stored behind it, then try again.

   Done

5. 

   Restart and try again

   Restart the phone and try the payment once more. Hold it still on the reader until it vibrates or beeps.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Your payment app is not in the list Samsung says more payment apps are on the Others tab under Contactless payments. There is also a switch for Pay with currently open app. Source: Troubleshoot NFC issues on Galaxy devices
• You want NFC in the quick panel Samsung says to open the Quick settings panel, tap the Edit icon, Add a control and NFC, then drag the NFC button up and tap Done. Source: What to do when NFC appears to be not working properly on your Samsung Galaxy device

If this does not work

• Payments fail with the case on Samsung US says cases with magnets, cards or metal can block NFC. Take the case off and try again. Source: NFC is not working properly on a Samsung Galaxy device
• Still not working Samsung US says some NFC services keep data on the SIM card: take the SIM out, put it back, restart, and ask for a new SIM if it still fails. Source: NFC is not working properly on a Samsung Galaxy device
• NFC stopped working suddenly Samsung suggests turning NFC off and back on, for example with the NFC button in the Quick settings panel. Source: What to do when NFC appears to be not working properly on your Samsung Galaxy device
• You use an LED cover Samsung says NFC does not work while an LED cover is lit. Source: Troubleshoot NFC issues on Galaxy devices

About this guide

Tap to pay needs three things: NFC on, the right wallet app chosen, and the phone's NFC antenna close to the reader. A thick case, a magnetic holder or a card behind the phone can block it.

Good to know

Payment apps may refuse to pay without a screen lock, because a payment needs your fingerprint, face or PIN.

If NFC works with one reader but not another, the reader may be at fault; try a different till or terminal.

In short: Settings, Connections, NFC and contactless payments on; set the Default wallet app; hold the NFC area against the reader; remove the case.

📷 See real photos from the Galaxy A57 in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.