Phone & contactless
How to accept card payments on your phone without a terminal
App, contactless payment, fees and tracking: how to take card payments on your phone, and when to use a payment link instead.
Published · Rewritten
The essentials
To accept a card payment on your phone, you need a payment app with Tap to Pay, a compatible device and an activated merchant account. Enter the amount, then let the customer hold their card or phone near yours. If they are elsewhere, a payment link provides a remote option.
Your phone is the one accepting payment
“Mobile payment” can mean paying for purchases with a phone or accepting a customer’s payment on a business phone. This guide covers the second use. Your customer can use their physical card and does not need to install your merchant app.
For a home visit, market sale or appointment, the practical benefit is being able to ask for payment when the work is finished. There is no need to wait until you return to the office to send a request, although acceptance is never guaranteed.
Prepare your first payment
First check whether your model and operating system work with your chosen app. Create your business account, provide the requested information and wait for activation confirmation. Downloading an app does not mean the account is ready to accept payments.
- Check the amount and reference before presenting your phone.
- Follow the on-screen tapping instructions and wait for the result.
- Find the payment in your activity and offer a receipt.
No terminal does not mean no requirements
Plan for enough battery, a suitable connection and a backup option. Compare transaction charges, any fixed fees and payout schedules. Saving on hardware does not remove payment processing costs.
If you need a till with products, inventory or printers, check those features separately. Taking payments on a phone does not automatically replace a POS system or meet every requirement of your business.
What if the customer is not there?
A link opens a checkout on the customer’s device. It can be useful for a deposit or a balance after a visit. Tap to Pay and links serve different situations; the useful next step is keeping both easy to track.
In practice
Finishing a repair
Fictional example: a repair costs €85. The professional agrees the amount with the customer, opens the app and presents their phone. If the customer needs their company to pay, a link with the invoice reference may be more suitable.
Sources and context
References checked on 27 September 2026. The cited providers’ terms are not Blaya’s terms. Legal references concern France.
And with Blaya?
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On your phone, by link and as a team: explore Blaya’s new direction. Tap to Pay and commercial terms still require qualification before a live launch.
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