The fastest way to disable Samsung Pay
To turn off Samsung Pay, open the Samsung Pay app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, select Settings, then tap Deactivate Samsung Pay at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the action when prompted. Your card information will be removed from the app, though your transaction history stays in your account if you reactivate later.
If you cannot find the deactivate option in Settings, your phone may have an older version of Samsung Pay. Update the app through the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store before trying again. The steps are the same across most Samsung devices running Android 6.0 and newer.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivating Samsung Pay removes your stored cards but keeps your transaction history if you turn it back on later.
- The deactivate button is in the app's Settings menu, not in your phone's system settings.
- You can also disable Samsung Pay notifications and payments without fully deactivating the app.
- Removing individual cards from Samsung Pay does not deactivate the service — you must use the deactivate option to turn it off completely.
Disable payments without deactivating the entire app
If you want to keep Samsung Pay installed but stop using it for payments, you can disable it without full deactivation. Open Samsung Pay, go to Settings, and toggle off Allow Payments. This prevents the app from processing transactions but leaves your cards stored and your account active.
This approach is useful if you plan to use Samsung Pay again soon or want to keep it available for specific situations. You can turn payments back on anytime by toggling the same switch. Your card details remain encrypted on your phone.
Remove individual cards instead of deactivating
You do not have to deactivate Samsung Pay to stop using a specific card. Open the app, find the card you want to remove, swipe left on it (or tap and hold, depending on your phone model), and select Delete or the trash icon. The card is removed from Samsung Pay but the app stays active.
This method works if you only want to stop using one payment method — for instance, if you replaced a credit card or switched to a different bank. You can add new cards to Samsung Pay later without reactivating the service.
Turn off Samsung Pay notifications
Samsung Pay sends notifications about transactions, security updates, and promotional offers. To stop these, open Samsung Pay, go to Settings, and look for Notifications or Push Notifications. Toggle off the types of alerts you do not want to receive.
You can also manage Samsung Pay notifications through your phone's system settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Samsung Pay > Notifications and turn off the toggle. This silences all Samsung Pay alerts without affecting other apps.
What happens when you deactivate Samsung Pay
When you deactivate Samsung Pay, your stored card information is deleted from the app and your phone. You will no longer be able to make contactless payments using Samsung Pay until you reactivate it. Your transaction history and account remain on Samsung's servers, so you can see past payments if you log back in later.
Deactivation does not affect your actual bank accounts or credit cards — those remain active with your bank. You can still use those cards through other payment apps, at ATMs, or by swiping them in stores. Samsung Pay is straightforward a method to access your cards; turning it off does not close the cards themselves.
Reactivate Samsung Pay after deactivating it
If you deactivate Samsung Pay and later want to use it again, open the app and follow the setup process. You will need to add your cards again, but your transaction history from before deactivation will still be there. The reactivation process takes a few minutes and requires you to verify your identity.
Your previous settings and preferences do not automatically restore when you reactivate — you will need to reconfigure notifications, default payment methods, and other options. This is a security measure to may support only you can access your payment information.
Disable Samsung Pay on your lock screen
Samsung Pay can be launched from your phone's lock screen for quick payments. If you want to prevent this, open Samsung Pay, go to Settings, and toggle off Show on Lock Screen or Quick Access. The app will no longer appear as an option when your phone is locked.
This setting does not deactivate Samsung Pay — it only hides the shortcut. You can still open the app normally after unlocking your phone. This is useful if you share your phone or want an extra layer of security without fully turning off the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deactivating Samsung Pay delete my transaction history?
No. Your transaction history stays on Samsung's servers even after deactivation. If you reactivate Samsung Pay later and log into your account, your past payments will still be visible. Only your stored card information is removed from your phone.
Can I turn off Samsung Pay for just one card?
Yes. Swipe left on the card in Samsung Pay and select Delete. The card is removed from the app, but Samsung Pay itself stays active. You can still use other cards stored in the app or add new ones later.
Will turning off Samsung Pay affect my bank account?
No. Deactivating Samsung Pay only removes the payment method from your phone. Your actual bank account, credit card, and money remain untouched. You can still use those cards through other apps, in stores, or at ATMs.
What is the difference between disabling payments and deactivating Samsung Pay?
Disabling payments keeps the app installed and your cards stored, but stops you from making transactions. Deactivating removes your card information entirely and turns off the service. You can re-enable payments anytime; reactivating requires you to add your cards again.
Can I turn off Samsung Pay notifications without deactivating the app?
Yes. Open Samsung Pay, go to Settings, and toggle off Notifications. You can also manage alerts through your phone's system settings under Apps > Samsung Pay > Notifications. The app stays active and ready to use.