Google's Android Pay now available in the UK

Google promised Android Pay would arrive in the UK, and it's happening today. Mastercard and Visa are both supported, with the Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA, and Nationwide Building Society all available at launch. Santander and Barclays are both missing from the launch, with the latter attempting to offer its own app as an Android Pay alternative.

Android smartphone owners will be able to use Android Pay in the UK wherever contactless payments are accepted. Much like Apple Pay, you'll also be able to use Android Pay to travel on London's transport network, which includes the Tube. Any payments will be limited to the current contactless limit of £30, but Google is also supporting other Android apps like Deliveroo and Yplan to offer purchases within apps. Google is also launching an Android Pay Day, which will include offers from retailers like Starbucks and Deliveroo. Android Pay is available for devices running Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) and above with an NFC chip.

Google says it also plans to launch Android Pay in Singapore and Australia soon, and the company is teasing additional countries in the "coming months." Google's big I/O conference is due to start later today, so it's likely we'll hear more about these additional countries and new features for Android Pay.

• ViaEngadget Official Android Blog
• SourceAndroid Pay (Google Play Store)