Recently, in our digital Payment project, we need to integrate Visa Tap to Phone. Therefore, I’ve conducted some in – depth research on this product.
Below is an overview of Visa Tap to Phone, structured to highlight its key business scenarios, competitive advantages, integration approaches and high-level implementation flow.
In summary, Visa Tap to Phone transforms any NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a fully certified contactless point-of-sale terminal—no additional hardware required. It targets high-growth segments such as micro and small merchants, event vendors, delivery services and nonprofits, enabling them to accept secure, touch-free Visa payments quickly. Merchants benefit from faster onboarding and reduced costs, while consumers enjoy convenient, hygienic checkout. Integration can be achieved either by leveraging Visa’s pre-certified Tap to Phone SDK (with access to Visa Platform Connect) or by building directly atop Visa’s Java‐based Contactless Kernel. The path to market is clearly defined through the Visa Ready certification program and includes account setup, specification access, SDK configuration, device enrollment, transaction workflow implementation, testing, and certification.
Business Scenarios
Visa Tap to Phone is designed to expand acceptance wherever merchants already carry a smartphone. Common use cases include:
Small business sellers
Enable micro- and small merchants to join the Visa network instantly by downloading an app—no new hardware purchases or complex installations required.
Queue busting
High-traffic retailers (e.g., quick-service restaurants or convenience stores) can deploy additional pop-up points of sale on the fly, cutting wait times and increasing throughput.
Events & exhibitions
Vendors at markets, fairs or trade shows can move freely with a fully mobile POS, reducing contact and improving guest safety during transactions.
Pay on delivery
Delivery services can eliminate cash handling and simplify reconciliation by accepting tap payments at the door, enhancing convenience and hygiene.
Donations
Nonprofits and fundraising drives can collect any‐sized contributions instantly, anywhere, without cash buckets.
Business Scenarios
Competitive Advantages
No additional hardware
Merchants use their existing Android smartphones; there’s no need to purchase separate POS devices.
Seamless contactless experience
Customers simply tap their contactless card, phone or wearable on the merchant’s device, minimizing physical contact and accelerating checkouts.
Proven consumer preference
61% of consumers prefer shopping where contactless payments are available, and over 2 billion NFC-enabled smartphones were in use globally in 2020.
Merchant confidence & convenience
58% of sellers recognize that contactless options enhance customer satisfaction and drive higher ticket sizes.
Reduced operational friction
Sellers avoid capital outlay for hardware, lengthy onboarding or finding an acquirer. Payments are reliable, secure and integrated into existing accounting workflows.
Enhanced consumer security & loyalty
For cardholders, tap payments reduce risks of cash loss or theft and enable reward programs—factors driving wider adoption.
Competitive Advantages
Integration Approaches
Visa offers two primary paths to implement Tap to Phone:
1.Leverage Visa’s pre-certified SDK
Access a ready-to-use Tap to Phone SDK with Visa’s functional and security requirements baked in.
Benefit from multi-network support and global connectivity via Visa Platform Connect.
2. Partner with approved solution providers
Small merchants or fintechs can select from a directory of certified third-party providers offering turnkey mobile POS solutions.
Providers guide you through Visa Ready certification and global launch.
High-Level Implementation Flow
1.Create a Visa Partner account & apply
Sign up on the Visa Partner Portal, complete the Visa Ready application and gain access to Tap to Phone specifications and SDKs.
2.Review compatibility & prerequisites
Ensure target devices run Android 12 or later (with developer options disabled and no rooting) to meet security baselines.
3.Configure your project
Add Tap to Phone Android SDK dependencies to Gradle (including Kernel in Cloud files).
Update manifest entries and ProGuard rules as specified in the integration guide.
4.Implement device enrollment
Guide merchants through enrollment flows so devices are authorized for live transactions.
5.Integrate transaction workflow
Invoke SDK APIs: POS app sends a “process payment” request.
Use Tap to Phone Payment Services APIs to submit Sale, Refund, Pre-Authorization and other transaction types.
7.Testing & certification
Work with Visa Approval Services to validate functionality, security and compliance; finalize Visa Ready certification.
8.Launch & scale
Publish your app, onboard merchants, and utilize Visa’s support to grow acceptance globally.
High-Level Implementation Flow
By following these steps, developers and financial institutions can rapidly bring Tap to Phone to market—empowering millions of small and mobile-first merchants with a secure, flexible, and cost-efficient way to accept Visa contactless payments.
Exploration of Visa Tap to Phone Product
Recently, in our digital Payment project, we need to integrate Visa Tap to Phone. Therefore, I’ve conducted some in – depth research on this product.
Below is an overview of Visa Tap to Phone, structured to highlight its key business scenarios, competitive advantages, integration approaches and high-level implementation flow.
In summary, Visa Tap to Phone transforms any NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a fully certified contactless point-of-sale terminal—no additional hardware required. It targets high-growth segments such as micro and small merchants, event vendors, delivery services and nonprofits, enabling them to accept secure, touch-free Visa payments quickly. Merchants benefit from faster onboarding and reduced costs, while consumers enjoy convenient, hygienic checkout. Integration can be achieved either by leveraging Visa’s pre-certified Tap to Phone SDK (with access to Visa Platform Connect) or by building directly atop Visa’s Java‐based Contactless Kernel. The path to market is clearly defined through the Visa Ready certification program and includes account setup, specification access, SDK configuration, device enrollment, transaction workflow implementation, testing, and certification.
Business Scenarios
Visa Tap to Phone is designed to expand acceptance wherever merchants already carry a smartphone. Common use cases include:
Enable micro- and small merchants to join the Visa network instantly by downloading an app—no new hardware purchases or complex installations required.
High-traffic retailers (e.g., quick-service restaurants or convenience stores) can deploy additional pop-up points of sale on the fly, cutting wait times and increasing throughput.
Vendors at markets, fairs or trade shows can move freely with a fully mobile POS, reducing contact and improving guest safety during transactions.
Delivery services can eliminate cash handling and simplify reconciliation by accepting tap payments at the door, enhancing convenience and hygiene.
Nonprofits and fundraising drives can collect any‐sized contributions instantly, anywhere, without cash buckets.
Competitive Advantages
Merchants use their existing Android smartphones; there’s no need to purchase separate POS devices.
Customers simply tap their contactless card, phone or wearable on the merchant’s device, minimizing physical contact and accelerating checkouts.
61% of consumers prefer shopping where contactless payments are available, and over 2 billion NFC-enabled smartphones were in use globally in 2020.
58% of sellers recognize that contactless options enhance customer satisfaction and drive higher ticket sizes.
Sellers avoid capital outlay for hardware, lengthy onboarding or finding an acquirer. Payments are reliable, secure and integrated into existing accounting workflows.
For cardholders, tap payments reduce risks of cash loss or theft and enable reward programs—factors driving wider adoption.
Integration Approaches
Visa offers two primary paths to implement Tap to Phone:
1.Leverage Visa’s pre-certified SDK
2. Partner with approved solution providers
High-Level Implementation Flow
1.Create a Visa Partner account & apply
Sign up on the Visa Partner Portal, complete the Visa Ready application and gain access to Tap to Phone specifications and SDKs.
2.Review compatibility & prerequisites
Ensure target devices run Android 12 or later (with developer options disabled and no rooting) to meet security baselines.
3.Configure your project
4.Implement device enrollment
Guide merchants through enrollment flows so devices are authorized for live transactions.
5.Integrate transaction workflow
6.Process payment via REST services
Use Tap to Phone Payment Services APIs to submit Sale, Refund, Pre-Authorization and other transaction types.
7.Testing & certification
Work with Visa Approval Services to validate functionality, security and compliance; finalize Visa Ready certification.
8.Launch & scale
Publish your app, onboard merchants, and utilize Visa’s support to grow acceptance globally.
By following these steps, developers and financial institutions can rapidly bring Tap to Phone to market—empowering millions of small and mobile-first merchants with a secure, flexible, and cost-efficient way to accept Visa contactless payments.
Source: https://www.visa.co.za/visa-everywhere/innovation/connected-commerce/tap-to-phone.html#6
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