Recently renamed Google Wallet , Google Pay’s compatibility with most Spanish banks has recently led to a surge in usage. Like Apple Pay, it allows you to pay quickly and securely by holding your phone near the payment terminal. But not everything is as it seems. Like any other platform, the service is subject to glitches, which is why many users wonder why Google Pay isn’t working properly .
Problems can be caused by a variety of reasons: incorrect settings, incompatibilities with devices or banks , etc. In this article, we’ll analyze the most common Google Pay errors and how to resolve them step by step.
The bank does not support Google Pay
Although Google Pay has signed agreements with most financial institutions in Spain, there are still banks that have yet to implement this feature, limiting it to their own apps, as was the case with the CaixaBank group until a few months ago . If your card can’t be linked, it could be because your bank doesn’t support the service.
As of publication, the banks compatible with Google Pay in Spain are as follows:
- American Express Spain
- BBVA
- Openbank
- Bankia
- Mediolanum Bank
- Banca March
- Pichincha Bank
- Abanca
- Ibercaja
- ING
- Kutxabank
- Liberbank
- Unicaja
- Evo Bank
- Rural Bank
- N26
- Revolut
Additionally, some financial institutions and services are also supported:
- Edenred (Restaurant Ticket Card)
- Sodexo (Restaurant Ticket Card)
- Carrefour Pass
- Rebellion
- Monese
- Bunq
- Curve
If it’s not included, you can check with your bank’s customer service to see if they have plans for future compatibility. If not, it’s best to use platforms like Samsung Wallet or PayPal , or create a bank account with a neobank, such as N26 or Revolut, which tend to be more flexible regarding the use of Google Pay.
Device incompatibility with Google Pay
One of the most common reasons why Google Pay isn’t working is that the device doesn’t meet the technical requirements. For the platform to work properly, the phone must have NFC technology and an updated, unmodified operating system . Remember that many cell phones from China don’t have this technology , as it’s not widely used in the country, even if the global version of the same device does have this connection.
How to fix this? To see if your device is NFC compatible, try the following:
- Open your device settings and go to the Wireless Connections section.
- Look for the NFC or Device Connection option.
- If you don’t find this option, unfortunately your device is not supported.
The other option is to update the operating system, the process of which is summarized in two steps:
- Go to Settings, System, and finally Software Update.
- Download and install any pending updates. Google Pay typically requires at least Android 5.0 or higher.
Finally, if your phone doesn’t meet these requirements, you can opt for a compatible smartwatch, which is often the most affordable way to access the service.
Security error on the device
Google Pay performs security checks on your device to ensure it’s free of malware. If your phone has an unlocked bootloader , is rooted , or has a different ROM than the stock one , Google will identify the phone as unsuitable for Google Pay, as this could compromise the integrity of your transactions.
So, if your device is rooted , our recommendation is simple: reinstall the original software . This process removes the root and ensures the phone passes security checks. If you don’t want to lose root access , you can use another compatible phone to make payments.
Errors in the regional settings
Google Pay requires the device’s region to match the country where you’re using the service. If your phone is set to the wrong region, the platform may not work. The same applies to some devices purchased in other European Union countries, such as Italy, France, or Germany. Services like Samsung Wallet limit their use outside the borders of the country they’re intended for , as hundreds of users have reported after purchasing a Samsung phone on Amazon.
In some cases, the process simply requires changing the region of your smartphone. To do this, try the following:
- Go to the Settings app, specifically to the System section.
- Once inside, click on Languages & input and finally on Region.
- Select Spain (or the corresponding country).
Once you’ve set the region, uninstall and reinstall Google Pay to ensure it updates properly. Then, reboot your system to force the new region to be identified.
Lack of balance in the associated account
If payment fails, it could be as simple as the linked bank account not having sufficient funds, especially when using prepaid cards , which are typically designed specifically for these types of services, as well as online purchases. In this case, the solution is as simple as checking the available balance in your linked account or card.
If this amount is less than the requested payment, make a transfer or deposit cash into your bank account . Also, if you can’t reload your current card, link another card with available funds.
Problems with the NFC reader when paying
Even if Google Pay is properly configured, the app may experience occasional issues when completing a payment. This problem is often related to the use of NFC, the technology that enables communication between the phone and the payment terminal, or to incorrect device configuration or even physical interference . Not to mention the fact that some payment terminals may not be properly calibrated or updated.
To solve this problem, you can try the following.
- First, make sure NFC is enabled on your device.
- To do this, go to your phone’s settings, find the Connections section, and verify that NFC is enabled.
- Next, check that Google Pay is set as your default payment method, as some apps can interfere with this setting if not set correctly.
- In this case, go to the Payments section, which is usually also found in Connections, and select Google Pay as your default app.
Another solution is to check the position of your phone. The NFC antenna is usually on the back of the phone, but its exact location may vary depending on the model. Make sure you align this antenna with the card reader and try different positions to find the correct one.
If you’re using a protective case, temporarily remove it to rule out blocking the signal . Thick cases, especially those with metal components or magnets, can interfere with NFC technology. If the case is the cause, you can replace it with a thinner one or one that doesn’t have any elements that affect its operation .
Finally, if after checking all of this the problem persists, it’s possible that the card reader is outdated or has obsolete firmware . Ask the establishment to update the terminal’s software. In many cases, this simple action resolves compatibility issues with modern devices.
Google Pay does not log in correctly
Another issue with Google Pay is a series of errors that prevent users from logging in. This issue is often linked to conflicts with Google accounts, beyond the usual forgotten credentials: temporary lockouts due to suspicious activity, two-factor authentication failures , etc.
First, if you use two or more Google accounts on your devices (one for work and one for personal use, for example), verify that you’re using the same Google account linked to Google Pay. Make sure you’ve entered the correct credentials and verify that you’re not using a secondary account.
If you have two-step authentication enabled, you can try temporarily disabling it . Go to your Google account settings, locate this feature, and disable it. Once you’re signed in to Google Pay, turn it back on to keep your account secure.
If the problem persists, clear the app’s data. To do this, go to your phone’s settings, select the Apps section, and search for Google Pay . Within the storage options, tap Clear data and Clear cache . This will remove any corrupted files that may be affecting the app’s performance and allow you to start over with a clean installation.
