Google Pay
Google Pay lets customers pay directly from an Android device using a saved card, without typing card details. The Google Pay button appears in the payment panel when the customer is browsing on an Android device in a supported browser (such as Chrome).
Prerequisites
An admin must configure Google Pay before it can be used. This requires:
- A Datacap merchant account with Google Pay enabled
- The same Datacap public key and Pay API Merchant ID used for Apple Pay — Datacap confirms the Apple Pay Pay API MID also works for Google Pay, so no separate business ID is needed for testing
- A valid Google Pay business ID for production (obtained through Google's Pay & Wallet console once the integration is approved)
Once configured, the Google Pay option appears alongside other payment methods at checkout.
Customer Experience
When a customer reaches the payment step on an Android device in a supported browser:
- A native Pay with Google Pay button appears in the payment panel.
- The customer taps the button and selects a saved card.
- The payment is processed through Datacap.
- A confirmation appears and the order is updated with the approved payment.
The button only appears on Android devices. Customers using iPhones, iPads, or desktop browsers will not see the option (unless the admin has enabled it in debug/test mode).
Pre-Authorization
Pre-authorization places a hold on the customer's card without charging it. The charge is captured later when the order is finalized. This is common in restaurants and hotels: the card is authorized at seating, then charged when the bill is ready.
How Pre-Auth Works with Google Pay
When the order is flagged for pre-authorization (preAuthOrder), Google Pay runs in pre-auth mode automatically. After the customer authorizes the payment:
- A confirmation screen appears: "Your order is now authorized. Go to the menu to add items, then fire them off to be made."
- A "Go to Menu" button takes the customer to the ordering screen.
- When the order is finalized, the authorized amount is captured (or a new total is charged).
- If the order is cancelled, the authorization can be reversed, releasing the hold on the card.
Pre-Auth Buttons
When pre-authorization is enabled for an order type, the following buttons appear on the payment screen after authorization:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Complete Payment | Captures the authorized amount and charges the card |
| Reverse Authorization | Cancels the hold and releases the funds on the card |
Status Messages
| State | What You See |
|---|---|
| Processing | "Processing payment..." spinner while the transaction is being approved |
| Approved | "Payment approved" confirmation message |
| Error | Error message with details about what went wrong |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Google Pay button doesn't appear | Customer must be on an Android device in a supported browser (e.g., Chrome) |
| "Google Pay not enabled" | Google Pay has not been configured by the admin. |
| Payment declined | The customer's card may be declined or have insufficient funds. Ask the customer to try another card. |