How to Accept Mobile Wallets and Digital Payments

Mobile wallets and digital wallets have transformed how people pay. Instead of carrying cards or cash, customers can simply tap their phone, scan a QR code, or pay directly within an app. In markets like China, over 90% of payments are already processed through wallets like Alipay and WeChat Pay.

For Canadian businesses, offering mobile wallet payments is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage. AlphaPay enables merchants to accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay, and major card wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, giving them direct access to global shoppers.

What Is a Mobile Wallet?

A mobile wallet (also called a digital wallet) is an app that securely stores payment information, allowing customers to pay with their phone, smartwatch, or connected device via contactless taps (NFC) or QR code scans.

• Transactions are encrypted and often authenticated with biometrics or tokens.

• Familiar, frictionless experiences lead to happier shoppers and faster checkouts.

• Over 50% of consumers now prefer digital wallets over traditional methods.

Mobile Payment Types You Can Accept with AlphaPay

NFC/Tap-to-Pay Wallets

These wallets use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, letting customers tap their phone, smartwatch, or contactless card directly on a payment terminal. It’s the same technology behind “tap debit” or “tap credit,” but linked to a mobile wallet app.

• Apple Pay – Works on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Customers authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, making payments fast and secure.

• Google Pay – Available on most Android phones and Wear OS devices. It supports cards from major banks and integrates with loyalty programs.

• Samsung Pay – Exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. Supports NFC tap-to-pay as well as MST (magnetic secure transmission) for older terminals.

• Interac Debit – Integrated into many banking apps and wallets, letting Canadian shoppers pay directly from their bank account.

NFC payments are faster than chip & PIN and more secure because they use tokenization (no actual card number is shared). This reduces fraud and shortens checkout lines, which improves customer satisfaction.

QR Code Wallets

Aside from tapping, customers can also open their wallet app, scan a merchant’s static QR code (printed or displayed) or a dynamic QR code, and confirm payment on their device.

• WeChat Pay – Embedded in China’s most popular social app, with over 940M active users. Customers can scan to pay in-store or pay directly in mini-programs.

• Alipay – Used by over 1.3B global users, this wallet dominates cross-border spending from Chinese travelers. Alipay also offers marketing tools like Alipay Discover to attract tourists to your store.

• UnionPay QR – A trusted option for consumers across Asia, particularly tied to bank accounts and cards issued in China.

QR payments are highly appealing to international travelers who prefer to pay in their familiar wallet rather than exchange currency or use foreign cards. Funds are automatically converted, and merchants receive settlements in CAD or USD.

Online & In-App Wallets

Mobile wallets aren’t just for physical checkout—they can also streamline online payments. Customers can select their preferred wallet at checkout, without typing in card details.

• In-App Integrations – AlphaPay provides plugins and APIs that let you add mobile wallet buttons (e.g., “Pay with WeChat Pay” or “Pay with Apple Pay”) to your e-commerce store or app.

• WeChat Mini-Programs – Businesses can set up a storefront inside WeChat itself, where users browse, shop, and pay without leaving the app.

• One-Click Payments – Returning customers can pay instantly because their wallet already stores their shipping, billing, and payment info.

Online and in-app wallet payments reduce cart abandonment, speed up checkout, and offer a frictionless experience that today’s mobile-first consumers expect.