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

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 5 steps · Published 6 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

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

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Connections

Real screenshots

3 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 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

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. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16, in Dark mode. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ.

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.