Why paying by phone stopped being a given
Apple Pay and Google Pay aren’t separate money — they wrap a bank card. For a card to get into a wallet, its bank has to support tokenization and the card network has to allow a token. For cards from Russian banks that path is closed, so tapping an iPhone or Android phone simply stopped working for many people, especially when travelling.
Libermall approaches it from the other side: the card is issued by a partner bank abroad that supports tokenization. You top up your balance with crypto or roubles, move money to the card and add it to your wallet like any other card. From there it’s a normal tap-to-pay wherever contactless Visa and Mastercard are accepted — handy on trips where you have no cash or local card.
Which cards go into a wallet
Not every card we offer works with Apple Pay and Google Pay — it depends on the product. Here’s an honest breakdown so you pick right. Issue prices are on the fees page.
- US card — a Mastercard from a US bank. Adds to Apple Pay and Google Pay with no passport or selfie. The only wallet card that needs no verification. $15 minimum on the card at issue.
- Wallet cards with verification — issued after passing KYC, the issue price is on the fees page. A fit if you’re fine showing an ID.
- Regular virtual card with no KYC — doesn’t go into a wallet, but it’s cheaper and works well for online payments using the card details.
Wallet support is listed on the card’s page in the app. If it isn’t there, the card won’t go into Wallet no matter how many times you try.
How to add the card, step by step
First issue the card and move money to it from your balance. Then open the card details in the Libermall Card app and enter them into the wallet manually — fewer typos than scanning.
- iPhone: Wallet → “+” → “Debit or Credit Card” → enter number, expiry and CVC. Full guide: Apple Pay.
- Android: Google Wallet → “Add to Wallet” → “Payment card”. Full guide: Google Pay.
- If the wallet asks you to verify the card, the request arrives in the Libermall Card app, not by SMS.
- Enter the cardholder name exactly as shown in your card details.
Card won’t add — what to check
Usually it isn’t the phone but one of a few simple things. Go through them in order — the first two tend to solve it.
- The card product supports wallets at all — the regular no-KYC virtual card doesn’t.
- The details are exact: number, expiry and CVC with no spaces or extra characters.
- Wallet or Google Wallet is up to date, and your Apple ID or Google account region doesn’t restrict adding cards.
- Delete the unfinished attempt and add the card again, or try another device with the same account.
Full walkthrough: “Card won’t add to Apple Pay or Google Pay”. Until it’s in the wallet, you can still pay online with the card details.
Paying by phone without declines
At the till it’s business as usual: hold the phone to the terminal and confirm with Face ID, fingerprint or passcode. The payment comes from the money on the card itself, not from the app’s shared balance, so before a trip or a big purchase top up the card in advance.
If the terminal offers a currency choice, pick the shop’s local currency rather than a conversion offered by the seller — that’s usually cheaper. Hotels and petrol stations may temporarily hold more than the bill, so keep a buffer on the card. If a payment still fails, see declined payments.
Security and control
The wallet stores a token, not your card number — the seller never sees your real details. If your phone goes missing, freeze the card in the app instantly and unfreeze it later. Purchases earn up to 10% cashback to your balance, and there’s no monthly fee.
