Using Tap to Pay for client payments

Tap to Pay allows you to collect client payments in person with one touch. You can use Tap to Pay through the SimplePractice for Clinicians mobile app.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Setting up your device for Tap to Pay
• Processing a payment with Tap to Pay
• FAQs

Note: To view our guide for billing on the mobile app for iOS, see Managing a client's billing on iPhone/iPad. To view our guide for billing on the mobile app for iOS, see Managing a client's billing on Android.

Setting up your device for Tap to Pay

Tap to Pay is available in the SimplePractice for Clinicians app on iPhone and Android phones.

Setting up your iPhone for Tap to Pay

Your operating system must be iOS 17.3 or newer to use the SimplePractice for Clinicians app. To learn more about the mobile app on iOS, see Using the mobile app for iPhone/iPad.

Note: Tap to Pay is not available on iPad. However, you’ll be able to see which payments were collected via Tap to Pay when viewing a client’s payments on an iPad.

Before using Tap to Pay, your location services must be enabled. This will allow you to confirm that your device supports Tap to Pay. To enable location services on iPhone, see Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Your Apple ID must also be linked to your online payments account for verification and security. To learn more, see How do I set up my Apple ID for Tap to Pay?

Setting up your Android for Tap to Pay

Your operating system must be Android 12.0 or later to use the SimplePractice for Clinicians app. To learn more about the mobile app on Android, see Using the mobile app for Android.

Before using Tap to Pay, your location services must be enabled. This will allow you to confirm that your device supports Tap to Pay. To enable location services on Android, see Manage your Android device’s location settings.

Processing a payment with Tap to Pay

Tap to Pay payments are processed in person, using your mobile device and your client’s card.

Note: The client must have at least one unpaid invoice to use Tap to Pay.

Using Tap to Pay on iPhone

To process a payment using Tap to Pay on iPhone:

1. Navigate to the client’s profile in the mobile app
2. Select Billing and insurance
3. Tap + > Add payment

Note: You can also add a payment from the client’s appointment on the calendar. For more information, see Adding payments on the SimplePractice for Clinicians app on iOS.

4. Check the invoice(s) to cover with the payment
   • You can select Add partial payment under each invoice to enter a partial amount
5. Tap Continue to payment
6. If there’s Client credit available, you can toggle this on to use it
7. Select Tap to Pay

Note: If you haven’t set up location permissions for Tap to Pay yet, see Enabling location permissions on iPhone.

8. Select Use Tap to Pay

Note: If you’ve never set up your Apple ID for Tap to Pay, see How do I set up my Apple ID for Tap to Pay?

9. Hold your device horizontally against the client’s card

A blue checkmark will appear to confirm that your payment was successfully added.

Using Tap to Pay on Android

To process a payment using Tap to Pay on an Android phone:

1. Open the SimplePractice for Clinicians mobile app
2. Navigate to the client’s profile
3. Tap the + icon and choose Add Payment

Note: You can also add a payment from the client’s appointment on the calendar. For more information, see Adding payments on the SimplePractice for Clinicians app on Android.

4. Check the invoice(s) to cover with the payment
   • You can select Add partial payment under each invoice and enter a partial amount
5. Tap Continue to Payment
6. If there’s Client Credit available, this will automatically apply to the payment
   • You can toggle this off, if necessary
7. Select Tap to Pay

Note: If you’re using Tap to Pay for the first time, select Set up Tap to Pay, then follow the steps in Enabling location permissions on Android.

8. Tap Use Tap to Pay
9. Hold your device horizontally against the client’s card

A blue checkmark will appear to confirm that your payment was successfully added.

Note: The payment method for a successful payment will be noted as Tap to Pay across your Billing tab and in a client’s profile.

FAQs

Below, we’ll cover some frequently asked questions about Tap to Pay:

• Do I need to enable location permissions for the mobile app?
• How do I set up my Apple ID for Tap to Pay?
• What are the processing fees for Tap to Pay?
• Can I use Tap to Pay in the SimplePractice web app?

Do I need to enable location permissions?

If you’re using Tap to Pay for the first time, location permissions must be enabled for the SimplePractice for Clinicians app to confirm that your device supports Tap to Pay.

Note: Location services must be enabled for your device before location permissions can be enabled for the SimplePractice for Clinicians app. To enable location services, see Setting up your device for Tap to Pay.

Enabling location permissions on iPhone

When you’re prompted to enable location permissions on the iPhone, you’ll see the screen below.

To enable location permissions:

1. Select Allow
2. Choose Allow Once or Allow While Using App
3. Tap Continue

Enabling location permissions on Android

When you’re prompted to enable location permissions on an Android phone, you’ll view the screen below.

To enable location permissions:

1. Select Allow
2. Choose While using the app or Only this time

Note: If you chose not to enable location permissions for the app, you won’t be able to use Tap to Pay. However, the next time you choose Tap to Pay when adding a payment, you can follow the above steps for your device to enable Tap to Pay.

How do I set up my Apple ID for Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay on iPhone requires an Apple ID to be linked to your online payments account. This should be done using the Account Owner’s Apple ID and only needs to be done once per practice.

To link an Apple ID to your online payments account and associate it with their practice, the Account Owner can do this via Apple Business Connect. For more information, see Set up Tap to Pay on iPhone for your company in Apple Business Connect.

Note: SimplePractice isn’t able to provide support for Apple ID questions. Please reach out to Apple’s support team for assistance.

Once the Apple ID is linked to their online payments account, the Account Owner can make sure they’re logged into their device with their Apple ID, then select Continue with This Apple ID when prompted.

Note: If a team member other than the Account Owner is setting up Tap to Pay through their own device, they can tap Use a Different Apple ID and use the Account Owner’s Apple ID.

An Apple ID can be unlinked via the Apple Business Register. This process must be completed outside of SimplePractice, and can be done by the team member who linked the Account Owner’s Apple ID to the online payments account.

If the Apple ID has been unlinked, the next team member who enters a Tap to Pay payment will be prompted to connect the Apple ID and the online payments account again.

What are the processing fees for Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay payments are processed at a rate of 3.15% + $0.30 for each successful transaction, which is the same rate as all SimplePractice online payments transactions.

Can I use Tap to Pay in the SimplePractice web app?

Tap to Pay can only be used on the SimplePractice mobile app. These payments will be noted as Tap to Pay across your Billing tab and in a client’s profile.

If you’re charging a client at the time of service and don’t have the SimplePractice mobile app, you can charge them using their card on file.

Note: Some of our customers use third party payment terminals that aren’t integrated with SimplePractice. If you’d like to continue using one of these terminals for client payments, you can record them as external card payments.