Using Your Mobile Phone to Make a Payment

In a 16% rise since 2023, half of UK shoppers now use mobile payments when making a purchase.
If you’re not familiar with this type of payment, you might have wondered, ‘how do I use my mobile phone to pay for something?’ and ‘how safe are mobile payments?’.

Our guide explains how to add your credit card to Google Pay or Apple Pay on your mobile phone, as well as sharing some security tips to keep your phone and finances as safe as possible.

Please note that you can add debit and credit cards to your mobile wallet, but in this article, we will be focusing on credit cards.

Who’s using mobile payments? See the statistics

• The use of mobile payments has risen across all age groups year-on-year between 2023 and 2024.
• Consumers aged between 16 and 24-year-olds are most likely to use mobile payments. 78% of survey respondents in this age bracket said that they regularly opt for this payment method.
• Those aged 65 and over are least likely to use mobile payments.

Can I make a contactless payment using my mobile phone?

Many mobile devices allow you to add your credit card to a digital wallet and use it to make a contactless payment in-store.
The type of payment system available to you will depend on your mobile phone.

Please be aware that some older mobile devices may not support contactless payments.

You can find out more about Apple Pay and Google Pay in our blogs.

How to add a credit card to my mobile wallet

Adding your credit card to your mobile wallet is straightforward.

1. Set up either Apple Pay or Google Pay.
2. Tap the + icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Add your credit card by either using the app to take a photo of your card or entering the details manually.

Got a thimbl credit card? We cover the exact steps you can take to add your thimbl credit card to Apple Pay and Google Pay further down the page.

How do I use my mobile phone to make a payment?

In the table below, we’ve explained how to use Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Why you might consider using your mobile phone to make a contactless payment

• How many of us have headed out only to realise, in a heart-stopping moment, that we’ve left our wallet at home? Having a digital wallet set up on your phone could be a real lifeline in this instance.
• When you make a payment using your mobile phone, you’ll authorise the transaction by entering a secure code or using facial recognition, adding an extra layer of security.
• Your debit and credit card details are not stored on your phone or shared with merchants when you make a transaction.
• Using your phone to make a contactless payment removes the faff of rummaging for your cards and remembering your PIN.
• You can store multiple cards in your digital wallet, including debit cards, credit cards, and certain loyalty cards.
• Unlike contactless payments using a physical card, there is no limit on the purchase amount when making a payment with your mobile phone, although this should not be viewed as an incentive to spend money that you don’t need to.

Things to be aware of

• Not all retailers accept contactless mobile payments.
• Consider taking a backup payment method with you in case there’s a problem with your phone, or if mobile payments are not supported.
• As discussed, contactless mobile payments can be convenient, but it’s crucial to be mindful of your spending. You should never spend more than you need to or can afford.
• If your phone was lost or stolen, you could be at risk of fraud, although you can take steps to disable your cards remotely. Please click here for further information on how to protect your Android phone, and here to learn more about protecting your iPhone if your device is lost or stolen.

How to keep your mobile phone and financial information safe

• Enable the ‘Find my iPhone’ or ‘Find my Device’ feature. If the worst does happen and your phone is lost or stolen, you can lock your phone, which could prevent criminals from accessing your information.
• Set up a security code or facial or fingerprint recognition.
• Regularly change your security code and make sure it’s different from any existing codes used for other sites.

Can I use my thimbl credit card to make a purchase on my mobile phone?

Yes, if your device supports contactless payments, the thimbl credit card can be added to both Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing you to make a payment in-store using your mobile phone.

How to add the thimbl credit card to Apple Pay

1. Open the Zable app.
2. Below your thimbl credit card, you’ll find the option to ‘Add to Apple Wallet.’
3. Tap to add.

How to add the thimbl credit card to Google Pay

Follow the steps listed in the section above but tap ‘Add to Google Wallet.’

Check your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card

The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card comes with a personalised, manageable starting credit limit between £200 and £2,000.
Find out if you’ve been pre-approved in just 60 seconds with no impact to your credit score.*
You can check your eligibility for the thimbl credit card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history;
• Have a monthly net income of at least £800;
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and 
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

* Please note that pre-approval does not guarantee acceptance. Zable is a trading style of Lendable Ltd. If you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period of time could harm your credit score. Any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.