PayPal is one of the most trusted ways to send and receive money online. This article explains how to use it as a payment method while shopping at brick-and-mortar establishments.

What to Know

  • Set up your preferred payment method by going to PayPal Settings > Payments > Change (in the Your Preferred Way to Pay section).Open the Google Pay app and select Payment > Payment Method > PayPal. Log in to your account and choose a PIN.Mobile phone number + PIN and the payment code feature in the PayPal Mobile app as in-store acceptance methods no longer work.

Choose Your Preferred Way to Pay in Stores 

Before you use PayPal to pay in a store, make sure you have it set up to use your preferred payment method. If you have a balance on your PayPal account, it will be used first. If you spend more than you have in PayPal, your preferred payment method will be used.

You have the option of using a PayPal credit card, using a linked credit card, debit card or bank account, or linking a new payment account from which to draw funds.

  • Log into your PayPal account.
  • Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open PayPal Settings.
  • Click the Payments tab near the top of the Settings page.
  • Click Change next to the store icon at the bottom of the Your Preferred Way to Pay list.
  • Select PayPal Credit if you have a PayPal Credit account and wish to use it as your backup method.
  • Select one of the listed linked accounts if you want to use that as your backup payment method.
  • Click Link a New Card or Bank if you want to add a different backup payment method. Follow the prompts to enter the required information for this payment method.
  • Click Save when you are done.

Pay With PayPal in Stores Using Google Pay

Google Pay is like a digital wallet you can keep on your phone and use to pay for products and services in stores, restaurants, and other physical locations. When you link PayPal to Google Pay, you can check out with PayPal through Google Pay where you see the Google Pay or PayPal logos.

Log into your PayPal account.

Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open PayPal Settings.

Click the Payments tab near the top of the Settings page.

Click Change next to the store icon at the bottom of the Your Preferred Way to Pay list.

Select PayPal Credit if you have a PayPal Credit account and wish to use it as your backup method.

Select one of the listed linked accounts if you want to use that as your backup payment method.

Click Link a New Card or Bank if you want to add a different backup payment method. Follow the prompts to enter the required information for this payment method.

Click Save when you are done.

  • Download and install the Google Pay app (available for Android or iOS devices).
  • Once installed, open Google Pay and tap Payment at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap + Payment Method.
  • 
  • Select PayPal.
  • Log in to your PayPal account.
  • Set a PayPal PIN for in-store purchases.
  • Enter the PIN again to confirm the number.
  • Review the details. Click Agree & Continue.
  • Confirm your information. You will receive a message that you are ready to use PayPal with Google Pay.
  • To use PayPal in a store with Google Pay, unlock your phone and hold the back of your phone to the payment screen for several seconds. You do not need to open the Google Pay app. Enter your PIN if prompted.

PayPal Debit Card

Another option is to apply for a PayPal Cash Mastercard. This debit card is accepted in stores, restaurants, and anywhere else Mastercard is accepted. It is not a credit card. When you pay using the card, it will access your PayPal balance and use the funds to pay the bill.

As of March 31, 2018, PayPal stopped supporting mobile phone number + PIN and the payment code feature in the PayPal Mobile app as in-store acceptance methods.

Download and install the Google Pay app (available for Android or iOS devices).

Once installed, open Google Pay and tap Payment at the bottom of the screen.

Tap + Payment Method.



Select PayPal.

Log in to your PayPal account.

Set a PayPal PIN for in-store purchases.

Enter the PIN again to confirm the number.

Review the details. Click Agree & Continue.

Confirm your information. You will receive a message that you are ready to use PayPal with Google Pay.

To use PayPal in a store with Google Pay, unlock your phone and hold the back of your phone to the payment screen for several seconds. You do not need to open the Google Pay app. Enter your PIN if prompted.

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