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GLOSSARY

Mobile wallet

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What is a mobile wallet?

A mobile wallet is a digital application on a smartphone or smartwatch that securely stores digital versions of payment cards, as well as other everyday items such as IDs, tickets, and loyalty cards. It enables users to make contactless payments in-store and online, without needing to carry physical cards or cash.

How does a mobile wallet work?

After adding a payment card to a mobile wallet, the app no longer uses your actual card number for transactions. Instead, it creates a virtual replacement code that represents your card during payments. This digital reference is what gets transmitted when you pay in-store or online.

For contactless payments, your smartphone or smartwatch communicates wirelessly with the payment terminal using short-range connectivity. The transaction is then confirmed directly on your device—usually through face recognition, fingerprint scan, or a secure device code—before it is completed.

Because the real card details never leave the device in plain form, mobile wallet payments offer a high level of built-in protection.

Main advantages of using a mobile wallet

  • Everyday simplicity: Payments can be completed in seconds without taking out a physical wallet or entering card data manually.
  • Built-in protection: Sensitive card information is kept separate from the transaction itself, minimizing exposure in case of data breaches.
  • Multi-purpose use: In addition to payment cards, mobile wallets can store travel tickets, access passes, membership cards, and vouchers, keeping everything in one place.
  • Broad compatibility: Mobile wallets work across many online shops and physical stores worldwide. Widely used examples include Apple Pay and Google Pay, which support both in-store and online payments.

Pay everywhere with your amnis card

Use your amnis debit card with Apple Pay and Google Pay for fast, secure, and contactless payments – online, in apps, and in stores worldwide. Add your card in just a few taps and enjoy a seamless payment experience wherever you go.

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About amnis

amnis offers a comprehensive platform for international banking, offering a range of tools in one place. Transfer money abroad, exchange currencies 24/7 and collect international money transfer with your own IBAN accounts supporting  20+ currencies. Founded in 2014 in Zurich, amnis is a regulated payment institution under the supervision of the Banking Supervision Section in Liechtenstein (FMA) within the EEA.

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