DBS Launches Tap-to-Phone Payments on Android, June 03

DBS Bank announced a new tap-to-phone feature that lets merchants accept credit and debit card payments directly on Android smartphones through the DBS MAX app. The service makes DBS the first Singapore bank to offer this capability. Merchants can activate the feature in three steps and serve tourists who prefer card payments over local digital wallets.

How the Feature Works

Customers tap their physical contactless card or digital wallet on a merchant’s Android phone to complete a transaction. The DBS MAX app uses NFC technology already built into modern Android devices. The service supports Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet alongside traditional Visa and Mastercard payments.

Target Market: Merchants and Tourists

The feature targets small businesses, pop-up stalls, and event booths that cannot afford traditional payment terminals. DBS highlighted that tourism receipts in Singapore reached SGD 23.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Overseas visitors often lack access to local digital wallets like PayNow and prefer card payments, making this feature valuable for merchant revenue.

Part of Singapore’s Cash-Lite Push

DBS positioned the launch as part of Singapore’s move toward a cash-lite society. The digital payments market is projected to grow to more than USD 480 billion (SGD 614 billion) by 2030, according to PwC’s 2026 study. Credit and debit cards remain the dominant payment method, accounting for 72 percent of transaction value in 2024.

One App for All Payment Methods

The DBS MAX app now consolidates multiple payment options: tap-to-phone card payments, QR code payments through DBS PayLah!, and PayNow transfers. This integration helps merchants streamline banking and payment channels without managing separate systems. Malaysian payment firm Soft Space supported the technical development of the feature.

Final Thoughts

DBS’s tap-to-phone launch strengthens its position in Singapore’s digital payments market. The feature addresses merchant demand for low-cost payment solutions and captures spending from international tourists, supporting DBS’s growth in fintech services.

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The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.