Following several Pixel 11-specific bugs after the phone’s launch, another one reportedly breaks NFC tap-to-pay, used for contactless payments. But this one is affecting more than just the Pixel 11.
A slew of reports on Reddit have been posted within the last two weeks regarding a new Google Pixel bug that affects NFC payments (via Android Authority). Users have been reporting that their Pixel devices can no longer use tap-to-pay, whether directly in the Google Wallet app or at automatic transit terminals that don’t require the app to be open.
The issue isn’t affecting just the Pixel 11, so this can’t be piled onto the list of device-specific issues users are coming across – of which there are a good few. The Reddit posts and comments within list Google Pixel models ranging from the Pixel 8 to the new Pixel 11 Pro XL. The bug is agnostic to model or series, given it’s still supported.
Top comment by Callumari13
I'm glad it's not just me. I thought my 11 Pro Fold was faulty. A reboot fixes it but tap-to-pay is something you kinda need to work within seconds.
The obvious response, noted by more than a few commenters, suggests using the Pixel 11 correctly. The NFC antenna is placed slightly higher than on other models, so the first suggestion appears to be “move your phone” to solve the Google Pixel’s NFC bug.
Of course, this would only apply if the Pixel 11’s NFC antenna were alone in experiencing this bug. Because it isn’t, it’s easier to point at a software update that made NFC unusable with Google Wallet. Some users note NFC still works in other functions, but not with payments.
Google has yet to respond, it seems. That doesn’t mean the company isn’t aware of the Pixel bug, but it might suggest users will need to wait a little longer for a fix. That being said, loss of tap-to-pay is a pretty big deal for a phone in 2026.
Are your NFC payments working?
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