How to pay for the metro from an Android phone: step-by-step guide 2026

Paying for the metro using a smartphone on Android has become commonplace for millions of passengers - it's faster than searching for change and more reliable than paper tickets. But not everyone knows that to make a successful payment, it is not enough just to touch your phone to the turnstile: you need to configure it correctly NFC, select the appropriate application and take into account the nuances of tariffs. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia there are different payment systems, and since 2026, new rules have appeared for Troiki and Mir Pay.

In this article you will find current instructions for setting up metro payment with Android smartphone, a comparison of methods (from virtual Troiki to bank cards in Google Pay), as well as answers to frequently asked questions - for example, what to do if the turnstile does not read the phone or the wrong amount is debited. We took into account all the changes in 2026, including updated tariffs and requirements for devices.

Which phones support metro payment via NFC

Not everyone Android smartphone can become a replacement for a transport card. For contactless fare payment, the device must meet three key requirements:

• 📱 Presence of NFC chip - without it, the phone will not be able to interact with the turnstile. You can check the presence of the module in the settings: Settings → Connections → NFC and payment.
• 🔄 Support for HCE (Host Card Emulation) - technology that allows you to emulate a transport card without a physical chip. Relevant for virtual Troika and Mir Pay.
• 🔋 Battery charge not lower than 5% —if the battery is low, NFC may turn off (on some models Samsung and Xiaomi).

Among popular brands, almost all flagships and mid-budget models support metro payments:

• 📱 Samsung Galaxy (S, A, Note series - starting from 2018)
• 📱 Google Pixel (all models except Pixel 3a)
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi/POCO (Note 8 series and newer)
• 📱 HONOR and Huawei (models with Google Mobile Services)

⚠️ Attention: On phones Huawei without GMS (released after 2019 year) payment through Google Pay is impossible. Use alternatives - Mir Pay or virtual Troika.

If your smartphone is not included in the list, check its compatibility on the official website Mosmetro or in the application My travel card. Also note that some budget models (for example, Realme C-series or Nokia 1.x) may not support HCE, even if they have NFC.

Metro payment methods with Android: comparison of options

In 2026, passengers will be able to pay for subway fares from their phones in four main ways. Each of them has pros and cons - from passage speed to tariff restrictions. Let's look at them in the table:

Method	Application/service	Pros	Cons	City support
Virtual Troika	My travel card, Moscow Metro	✅ Works without the Internet ✅ Supports all tariffs (including preferential ones)	❌ Requires registration ❌ Does not work for some Huawei	Moscow, Moscow Region, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod
Bank card	Google Pay, Mir Pay, Samsung Pay	✅ No need to top up your balance ✅ Automatic calculation of the cost of the trip	❌ Commission for payments from some cards ❌ Not all tariffs are supported	Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk
QIWI/Yandex Wallet	QIWI Wallet, Yandex Money	✅ Quick replenishment ✅ Cashback and bonuses	❌ Requires internet for debiting ❌ Restrictions on amount (up to 1000₽/day)	Moscow, St. Petersburg (limited)
Samsung Pay Transport	Samsung Pay (only for Samsung)	✅ Works without unlocking the phone ✅ Support Troiki and bank cards	❌ Only on devices Samsung ❌ Registration in the service is required	Moscow, Moscow Region, Kazan

Important: From January 1, 2026, a rule applies in Moscow: when paying with a bank card via NFC, the full cost of the trip (not a discounted rate) is debited, even if you have the right to a discount. For beneficiaries, a virtual one is required. Troika.

Which method to choose? If you often travel by subway and want to save money, it is better to apply for a virtual one Troika via My travel card. For rare trips, it is more convenient to link a bank card to Google Pay —there is no need to monitor the balance. Owners Samsung should consider Samsung Pay Transportas it works even when the screen is off.

Step-by-step guide: how to link a virtual Troika to the phone

Virtual Troika is the most universal way to pay for the metro from Androidas it supports all tariffs, including preferential ones, and works without the Internet. To set it up, follow these steps:

1. Download the application:
   • 📱 For Moscow: My travel card (official Mosmetro application).
   • 📱 For St. Petersburg: Podorozhnik.

Register:

Enter your phone number, confirm it via SMS and create a password. If you already have a physical one, you can link it to your account to transfer the balance. Troika, it can be linked to an account to transfer the balance.

Create a virtual card:

In the application menu, select Troika → Add a virtual card. The system will generate a new number that will be linked to your phone.

Top up your balance:

The minimum top-up amount is 50₽. You can use a bank card QIWI or SBP.

Activate NFC:

In your phone settings, enable NFC and set My travel card as default application for contactless payments.

Enable NFC in settings

Install the "My travel card" application

Register and confirm the number

Top up the balance of the virtual card

Select Troika as the main travel card in the NFC settings-->

After setting it up, just bring the unlocked phone to the yellow circle on the turnstile. The application My travel card will show a notification about the debiting of funds. If the payment did not go through, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge level (NFC is disabled at 3% and below on some phones).
• 📶 Availability of the Internet (only for the first charge, then it works offline).
• 💳 Virtual card balance (minimum amount for a trip is 45₽).

⚠️ Attention: If you delete the application My travel card, the virtual Troika will be deactivated. To restore it, you will have to go to the metro ticket office with your passport.

Payment for the metro via Google Pay and Mir Pay: nuances

Using a bank card via Google Pay or Mir Pay it’s convenient because you don’t need to top up your balance - the money is debited automatically. However, there are limitations:

• 💳 Only cards are supported Mastercard, Visa and Mir.
• 🚇 In Moscow and the Moscow region, the "Wallet" tariff is valid (writing off the full cost of the trip, without benefits).
• 📱 On phones without Google Mobile Services (for example, Huawei after 2019) it only works Mir Pay.

To set up payment via Google Pay:

1. Open the application Google Pay and add a bank card (if it is not in the service).
2. In the NFC settings (Settings → Connections → NFC and payment) select Google Pay as the main application for payments.
3. Unlock the phone and bring it to the turnstile. A notification about the write-off will appear on the screen.

For Mir Pay the process is similar, but the application must be downloaded separately (available in AppGallery for Huawei). Please note:

• 🔹 The debiting occurs only when the phone is unlocked (in contrast to Samsung Pay).
• 🔹 If the card is linked to both Google Payand Mir Pay, the turnstile can read it twice - disable duplicate services.

Important nuance: when paying via Google Pay or Mir Pay in the Moscow metro is charged full price. travel (for example, 45 rubles for one trip or 65 rubles for a transfer), even if you have a reduced fare. To travel with a discount, be sure to use the virtual Troika.

What to do if the phone does not pay for travel

If the turnstile does not respond to your Android smartphone, the reasons may be either in the phone settings or in problems with the payment system. Let's look at typical situations and solutions:

1. The turnstile does not read the phone

• 🔋 Check the battery charge - on some models NFC turns off at a level below 5%.
• 📱 Make sure the phone is unlocked (except Samsung Paywhich works without unlocking).
• 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes resetting the module helps NFC.
• 📶 If you use virtual Troika, check the Internet (needed for the first write-off).

2. The wrong amount is debited

• 💳 When paying by credit card via Google Pay in Moscow, the full price is always debited (for example, 45 rubles instead of 25 rubles at a reduced rate). The solution is to switch to virtual Troika.
• 🔄 If the write-off occurred twice, contact bank support - the funds will be returned within 5 days.

3. The "My Travel Card" application does not work

• 📥 Update the application to the latest version.
• 🔄 Rebind the virtual one Troika in the settings.
• 📧 Write to support via the form in the application (the response will come within 24 hours).

If the problem cannot be solved, check the compatibility of your phone on the official website Mosmetro. For example, on some models Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 7) virtual Troika works unstable due to firmware features.

What to do if the turnstile blocked the card?

If the turnstile showed a red cross and blocked the virtual Troika, this means that the balance is negative or the card has expired. To unlock it, top up your balance in the app My travel card or go to the metro ticket office with your passport. Recovery may take up to 24 hours.

How to pay for the metro from a phone without the Internet

One of the main advantages of virtual Trinities and bank cards c Google Pay —the ability to pay without connecting to the network. However, for this you need to fulfill several conditions:

• 📱 For virtual Trinity:
  • 🔹 The first write-off must take place with the Internet (the application saves balance data).
  • 🔹 In the settings My travel card the mode must be enabled Offline payment.
• 💳 For bank cards:
  • 🔹 The card must be added to Google Pay in advance.
  • 🔹 The mode must be turned on on your phone Offline transactions (in the settings Google Pay).

If you often ride the subway without the Internet (for example, in underground passages), follow these tips:

1. Before the trip, open the application My travel card or Google Payso that the data is updated.
2. Make sure the mode is turned on on your phone Battery saving - this will prevent disconnection NFC.
3. For Triplets: top up the balance in advance, as this cannot be done without the Internet.

Please note: when paying without the Internet debit data may be displayed in the application with a delay (up to 24 hours). However, the trip itself will be paid for - information about the transaction is stored in the turnstile’s memory and later synchronized with the server.

Security: how to protect money when paying for the metro from your phone

Paying for travel through NFC is convenient, but requires attention to security Fraudsters may try to read your card details or. virtual Triplets using special devices. To minimize risks, follow these rules:

• 🔒 Turn off NFCwhen you are not using it. This will prevent unauthorized reading.
• 📱 Use screen lock (PIN, fingerprint or Face ID). Without unlocking, payment via Google Pay or Troika is impossible.
• 💳 Set up limits for contactless payments in a mobile bank (for example, no more 1000₽ per transaction).
• 🔄 Check your payment history regularly in applications My travel card or Google Pay.

If you suspect that your card data is compromised:

1. Immediately block the card in your mobile bank.
2. Remove it from Google Pay/Mir Pay and add it again.
3. Contact the bank to issue a new card.

For a virtual one Troiki the risks are lower, since it is not linked to a bank account. However, if the phone is lost, scammers can use the card balance. In this case:

• 📱 Block the device via Find My Device.
• 💳 Unlink Troika from the account in the application My travel card (can be done from another telephone).
• 📧 Write to support Mosmetro to reissue the virtual card.

⚠️ Attention: Never give your phone to strangers to pay for travel - this can lead to the theft of card data or virtual Troiki.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about paying for the metro with Android

Is it possible to pay for the metro from a phone without NFC?

No, a module is required for contactless payment NFC. An alternative is to buy tickets through applications (Moscow Metro, Yandex Metro) and show the QR code on the screen. However, this is less convenient, as it requires unlocking the phone and the Internet.

Why does the turnstile write off 45 rubles instead of 25 rubles at a reduced rate?

When paying by bank card card via Google Pay or Mir Pay in Moscow, the "Wallet" tariff applies - the full cost of the trip is deducted. To travel with a discount, apply for a virtual Troika in the app My travel card.

Is it possible to link one card to several phones?

No, virtual Troika is tied to one device. A bank card can be added to Google Pay on several phones, but only one device is used to pay for the metro (the one that was attached last).

What to do if the phone is dead and there is no money for travel?

In this case you can:

• Ask someone to pay for your travel through your phone.
• Buy a ticket at the box office or terminal (cash and cards are accepted in Moscow).
• Use a backup power bank - NFC works even with 1% charge on most telephones.

Is paying for the metro from a phone supported in other cities of Russia?

Yes, but the range of available methods depends on the region:

• 🚇 St. Petersburg: virtual Podorozhnik (analogue Troiki) through the app St. Petersburg metro.
• 🚇 Kazan: virtual map Electronic wallet v application Kazan metro.
• 🚇 Novosibirsk: payment via Google Pay (full fare only).

Before your trip, check the current methods on the local metro website.