How to set Google Pay default on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and subsequent models run on WearOS. This allows you to swap Bixby for Google Assistant, or Samsung Pay for Google Pay, among others.

Despite this, Samsung encourages the use of its native apps. So, while you can easily install and set up Google Pay on a Samsung watch, setting it as the default NFC payment app can be somewhat complex.

This guide is dedicated to helping you set up Google Pay as your primary contactless payment app on your Samsung watch.

Keep in mind, only the latest Galaxy watches can offer Google Pay. Here is a complete list

1. Galaxy Watch 4 LTE & Watch 4 Bluetooth (cheapest NFC watches)
2. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE & 4 Classic Bluetooth
3. Galaxy Watch 5 LTE & Galaxy Watch 5 Bluetooth
4. Galaxy Watch 5 Pro LTE & Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Bluetooth

Make GPay default instead of Samsung Pay on Galaxy Watch 5

Before we get started, make sure the Google Wallet app is installed and set up on the Galaxy Watch 5.

In case you are wondering, the app doesn’t come preinstalled.

You can easily find the app on the Google Play Store on your Galaxy Watch.

Once the app is installed and set up using the connected Android phone, we can make it the default payment app by following these steps.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Wake up your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Press the “Home” button on your watch to light up the screen.
2. Open the Settings Menu: Swipe down from the top of your watch face to access the quick panel. From the panel, tap on the gear icon to open ‘Settings.’
3. Navigate to the ‘Connections’ Setting: In the ‘Settings’ menu, tap on ‘Connections.’ This option houses the settings for all your watch’s connectivity features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC.
4. Access the ‘NFC’ Settings: In the ‘Connections’ menu, tap on ‘NFC.’ Near Field Communication (NFC) is the technology that allows your watch to communicate with a payment terminal to make transactions.
5. Open the ‘Payment’ Menu: Within the ‘NFC’ settings, you’ll find an option labeled ‘Payment.’ Tap on this to manage your watch’s contactless payment settings.
6. Select ‘Google Pay’: In the ‘Payment’ settings, tap on ‘Google Pay’ to set it as your default payment method.

We are not done yet. This won’t automatically pop up the Google Wallet when you long press the ‘back button’ on the watch.

You might want to customize the side buttons to trigger Google Wallet. This comes really handy when you are in a pinch.

Unfortunately, you cannot replace Samsung Pay with Google Pay for the back button. It is pretty much hardwired by Samsung.

Worry not, there is a workaround. We can customize the ‘Home Button’.

• Tap on ‘Settings’.

• Select ‘Advanced Features.’

• Scroll down & tap on ‘Customize Keys.’

• Select the ‘Double Press’ option.

• Choose ‘Google Pay’ as an action.

Now you can double press the home button to open the Google Wallet app on your Galaxy Watch 5.

FAQS:

What cards can Google Wallet on Galaxy Watch 5 support?

Google Wallet on the Samsung Galaxy Watch currently supports credit and debit cards from participating banks.

The following cards and features are not supported on Galaxy Watch (and other WearOS devices).

1. Mobile boarding passes
2. Public transit cards
3. Walt Disney World Annual Pass,
4. PayPal integration

What countries support Google Wallet on Samsung Galaxy Watch?

There are currently 57 countries where you can use Google Pay on the Samsung watch.