Cashier in shop scanning customers digital wallet on phone as they make a purchase
  • Introduction
  • How to set up your digital wallet
  • How to pay with your digital wallet
  • More ways to pay using your phone
  • 4 perks of paying with your digital wallet
  • How your digital wallet is secured

How to pay using your phone

Here's how to set up your digital wallet—and make paying even easier

Read, 3 minutes

You've probably seen a digital wallet in action, or have the app on your phone, but do you know how to use it? Digital wallets offer convenience by allowing you to use your phone and other digital devices to pay for things instead of cash or your plastic credit card.

How to set up your digital wallet

To start, locate the wallet app on your smartphone—most are already installed—then enter your credit or debit card information. The application allows you to store multiple cards and to set your default payment method. Your digital wallet can't be used for a payment without your authentication.

How to pay with your digital wallet

Once you've set up your digital wallet and have identified the smart device you'd like to use for payments, all you need to do is learn how to pay.

When shopping on your smartphone, there's usually a one- or two- click payment prompt to make it as easy as possible.

If you're shopping at retail locations, you can hold your phone or device over a point-of-sale system wherever you see the contactless symbol.

When using an app, such as one for buying food or a ride-share service, you could opt to use your digital wallet as the payment option. That way, you can save some time by not having to enter in your payment information each time you use the app.

More ways to pay using your phone

Much like mobile wallets make shopping more seamless, peer-to-peer payment services let you send money to almost anyone with a bank account in the U.S., just using their email address or U.S. mobile phone number.

4 perks of paying with your digital wallet

How your digital wallet is secured

Mobile payments offer enhanced security features. When you set up your digital wallet, your account information is not stored on your device. Each card is assigned a virtual card number that's only associated with the digital wallet and mobile device you use. The virtual card number is a substitute for your actual credit card number—meaning your actual credit card is never given to the merchant where you shop. Don't stress if you lose track of your phone—all digital wallet transactions require the verification you set up, like a fingerprint scan.

A virtual card number that replaces sensitive card information in a transaction.


Depending on your phone type, you can authorize payments with a fingerprint, passcode, or even an iris scan.


Your card information will not be shared with most merchants.

More from Bank of America

Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family or others you trust.  We recommend that you do not use Zelle® to send money to those you do not know. Transfers require enrollment in the service with a U.S. checking or savings account and must be made from an eligible Bank of America consumer or business deposit account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes and transactions between enrolled consumers do not typically incur transaction fees. We will send you an email alert with transaction details after you send money using Zelle®. Dollar and frequency limits apply. See the Online Banking Service Agreement at bankofamerica.com/serviceagreement for further details. Data connection required. Message and data rates may apply.  Neither Bank of America nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®. Regular account fees apply.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.