Amazfit smartwatches with NFC payment capability
Not all Amazfit watches have NFC built in. The models that do support contactless payments are the Amazfit Balance, Amazfit Cheetah, Amazfit Cheetah Round, and Amazfit GTR 4. These watches can tap to pay at any terminal that accepts contactless cards or phones, using the same technology your credit card or phone uses at checkout.
Amazfit has released many models over the years, and most of them do not include NFC. If you own an older Amazfit watch or a budget model, it likely cannot make payments at the register. The company has been selective about which watches get the chip, so checking your specific model before buying is important.
The presence of NFC does not mean the watch is ready to pay out of the box. You still need to set up a payment method through the Amazfit app and connect it to your watch. The process varies slightly depending on your region and which payment system your bank supports.
Key Takeaways
- Only the Amazfit Balance, Cheetah, Cheetah Round, and GTR 4 have NFC chips that work for contactless payments.
- Most other Amazfit models, including older GTR and GTS watches, do not support NFC payments at all.
- Having NFC hardware is only the first step — you must add a payment method through the Amazfit app before you can tap to pay.
- NFC payment support depends on your region and your bank's partnership with Amazfit or payment networks in your country.
How to set up NFC payments on a compatible Amazfit watch
Open the Amazfit app on your phone and navigate to the Wallet or Payment section. The exact name depends on your app version and region. Tap the option to add a card or payment method. You will need to enter your card details, and your bank may require you to verify the transaction through a text message or app notification.
Once your card is added, the watch should sync automatically. You can then hold your watch face near a contactless payment terminal — the same way you would tap a phone or card. The watch will vibrate or show a confirmation message when the payment goes through. Some watches require you to unlock the watch or confirm the payment on the screen before it processes.
If your watch does not show a Wallet or Payment option in the app, your model does not have NFC, or NFC payments are not available in your region yet. Amazfit has been rolling out payment support gradually, so availability varies by country.
Regional differences in NFC payment support
Amazfit payment features work differently depending on where you live. In China, Amazfit watches can use Alipay and WeChat Pay through NFC. In Europe and North America, support is more limited and depends on whether your bank has partnered with Amazfit or a payment network.
Some regions have no NFC payment support at all, even on compatible watch models. Before you buy an Amazfit watch expecting to pay with it, check the Amazfit website or contact customer support for your country to confirm whether the feature is available where you are. A watch that works perfectly for payments in one country may not work for payments in another.
Comparing Amazfit NFC models to other smartwatch brands
Apple Watch has had NFC payments for years and supports them in most countries where Apple Pay is available. Samsung Galaxy Watch models with NFC can use Google Pay and Samsung Pay in many regions. Garmin watches rarely include NFC, and Fitbit does not offer NFC payments on any current model.
Amazfit's NFC watches are newer to the market than Apple's, so the feature is still rolling out. If NFC payments are your main reason for buying a smartwatch, check whether your bank and region are supported before committing. The feature is useful when it works, but it is not yet as widely available on Amazfit as it is on Apple or Samsung watches.
What to do if your Amazfit watch does not have NFC
If you own an Amazfit watch without NFC, you can still make contactless payments using your phone instead. Your phone likely has NFC built in, and you can set up Google Pay, Apple Pay, or your bank's payment app to tap at checkout. This gives you the same convenience without needing to upgrade your watch.
You can also use your watch for other features like fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, and notifications while keeping your phone in your pocket for payments. Many people find this combination works just fine for daily use. If you are considering buying a new Amazfit watch specifically for NFC payments, focus on the Balance, Cheetah, Cheetah Round, or GTR 4 models and confirm support in your region first.
Troubleshooting NFC payments on Amazfit watches
If your compatible Amazfit watch has NFC but payments are not working, first check that NFC is turned on in the watch settings. Some watches have NFC disabled by default or require you to enable it manually. Open the watch settings menu and look for an NFC or Payment option.
Next, make sure your card is properly added in the Amazfit app and that the watch has synced recently. If the app shows your card but the watch does not, try restarting the watch or re-syncing it with your phone. If payments still fail at the terminal, the problem may be that your bank or region does not support Amazfit NFC payments yet, even though your watch has the hardware.
Contact Amazfit support with your watch model and region if the issue persists. They can tell you whether NFC payments are available where you are and whether your bank is supported. Sometimes the feature is straightforward not active in your area yet, and there is nothing wrong with your watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use NFC payments on an Amazfit watch without adding a card to the app?
No. You must add a payment method through the Amazfit app before the watch can process any payments. The app stores your card information securely and syncs it to the watch. Without this setup step, the NFC chip has nothing to send to the payment terminal.
Do I need to unlock my Amazfit watch every time I want to pay with it?
This depends on the model and your settings. Some Amazfit watches require you to unlock the watch or confirm the payment on the screen before it processes. Others allow you to tap to pay without unlocking. Check your watch settings or the Amazfit app to see what security level is set for payments.
What happens if my Amazfit watch battery dies while I am out?
If your watch battery is completely dead, you cannot use NFC payments on it. Unlike some phones that can process payments even when powered off, smartwatches need power to function. Keep your watch charged if you plan to use it for payments, or carry your phone as a backup.
Can I add multiple cards to my Amazfit watch?
Yes, most Amazfit watches with NFC allow you to add multiple cards through the app. You can then select which card to use before you tap to pay. The exact process depends on your watch model and app version, so check the Amazfit app for the option to add additional cards.
Is it safe to store my credit card on an Amazfit watch?
Amazfit uses encryption to protect card information on the watch, similar to how Apple Pay and Google Pay work. Your actual card number is not stored on the watch — instead, a find token is used for payments. This is generally considered safe, but like any payment method, monitor your account for unauthorized charges.