Google Pay expands on Android for French users via SNCF Connect

Android smartphones equipped with NFC and running Android 9 or later can use Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) to make contactless payments. Users must enable NFC in settings, install Google Wallet from the Play Store, and add a supported bank card. Once configured, a tap of the phone on a payment terminal completes the transaction without a physical card.

The French railway app SNCF Connect has added Google Pay as a payment option, allowing travelers with compatible Android devices to buy train tickets instantly. However, only cards from a limited set of banks – notably Banque Populaire, Caisse d'Épargne, and online providers such as N26, Revolut, BoursoBank, Qonto, BforBank and Fortuneo – can be linked to Google Wallet in France. Major banks like BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole and others do not yet support this connection, meaning many users cannot use Google Pay for SNCF tickets. The feature also does not apply to taxi/ride‑hailing services or ticket exchanges that incur extra fees.