Contactless Payments with GrapheneOS

Google's monopolistic stranglehold on Android results in poor experience for power-users, and artificially restricts choice for those who have older phones. For example, Google Wallet is the de facto way to use NFC payments on Android. There's one problem though - it only works with Google's Android. If you have the temerity to install a 3rd party Android OS - like the hyper-secure GrapheneOS - you'll be locked out of it.

First of all, Google is lying. It does meet security standards and it is not rooted. I get that I have no right to run someone else's software in an environment they don't like, but this is just misinformation. 3rd party OSes are often more secure that a stock OS which has been left to rot by an unresponsive manufacturer.

Anyway, here's how you can use contactless payments on Graphene.

Prerequisites

I'm going to tell you what I did. If you found another way, leave a comment or write your own blog post.

I'm using the latest version of Graphene (2025062000) with Play Services installed. The app is running in my main profile. None of the advanced app protection has been toggled for the app. NFC is on.

You will have to agree to Curve's privacy policy. And the privacy policy of your credit card. Look, if you're using Graphene, you're probably overly privacy sensitive. If you're concerned about The Man™ knowing that you used your card to buy a breakfast beer and then sharing that with 958 trusted partners, just use cash instead.

Install Curve

Here's a referral link to install Curve - join and you get £10. Or, you can install directly from the Play Store.

You'll need to create an account and pass KYC / AML checks. Curve are regulated by the FCA so you should feel safe giving your details to them.

Add a card

Curve is a virtual card provider. So add your existing Visa or MasterCard to the app (no Amex). When you spend on Curve, you're actually spending on the underlying card you've added. Curve promise cheaper foreign exchange fees and a few other perks. But what we're really interested in is NFC payments.

Set up Curve Pay

On your app's dashboard, you should see a banner saying "Curve Pay is good to go!". If not, head into your account and set it up there.

If it has all set up, you should see a welcome tutorial explaining how contactless works.

Set your default wallet

On your phone, go to Settings → Connected devices → Connection Preferences → NFC → Contactless Payments.

Or, search your settings for Pay.

Select your default wallet app - in this case, Curve.

Pay for something

You need to make sure NFC is turned on before you can use NFC payments. I know that sounds obvious, but I forgot to do it the first time and got very confused.

Go to a local shop, pick up something, hand it to the merchant, wave your phone over the payment terminal like you are a technowizard from the future.

Enjoy eating whatever you paid for!

That's it!

Once you're done, you can turn of NFC if you're paranoid.

Apparently, Curve also works with Garmin Smart Watches - but I don't have one to test out.

If you've found this blog post useful, I'd be grateful if you signed up with my referral link for Curve.