How to Fix Google Pay Stuck on Verifying Your Phone

Google Pay may remain on “Verifying Your Phone” when it cannot confirm your mobile number through SMS, a Google account check, or your phone’s security settings. In Australia, this can happen after changing SIMs, moving to an eSIM, restoring a handset, or switching between providers.

The verification screen may keep loading, show an error, or return to the same step after you enter your number. The problem is usually temporary, but checking your connection, SMS access, account details, and Google Wallet settings can often resolve it without removing your cards.

Google Pay is now closely associated with Google Wallet in Australia, although many people still use the older name. The payment service depends on several parts of Android working together, so the best fix is to check each one in a sensible order.

What you notice	Likely cause	First action
Verification SMS never arrives	Signal, SMS filtering, or carrier delay	Restart the phone and check mobile reception
The app returns to the same screen	Corrupted app cache or outdated app	Clear the app cache and update Google Wallet
Verification fails after changing SIMs	Number or account mismatch	Check the active SIM and Google account
Tap-to-pay also stops working	Device security or NFC issue	Check screen lock, NFC, and Play Protect

Check Your Mobile Number And Signal

Start by confirming that the number shown during verification is your current Australian mobile number. If your device displays an old number, remove unused SIM profiles or select the active line under Android’s SIM settings. This is especially important with dual-SIM phones and eSIMs.

Make sure the number includes the correct Australian format, usually beginning with 04 when entered locally. A weak signal at a busy station in Sydney, inside a concrete building, or while travelling through regional areas can delay the verification message. Move outdoors, switch off Wi-Fi temporarily, and try again using mobile data.

Restart And Update The Phone

A simple restart can refresh the mobile network registration and clear a stalled Google Play services process. Turn the phone off completely, wait around 30 seconds, then switch it back on. Open the normal Messages app afterwards and check whether a verification text arrived late.

Open the Play Store and install available updates for Google Wallet, Google Play services, and the Google app. Also check Android system updates in Settings. An older app version can have trouble completing phone checks after a security change or a provider update from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone.

Clear Google Wallet Cache

Temporary app files can become damaged after an Android upgrade or a failed verification attempt. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Wallet > Storage and cache, then select Clear cache. The wording can vary between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android phones.

If clearing the cache does not help, use Force stop, reopen Wallet, and try again. Avoid selecting Clear storage immediately because it may remove local app settings and require cards to be added again. Your bank may also request a new authorisation when a card is reconnected.

Check Google Account And Device Security

Confirm that the correct Google account is active on the phone. Open the Play Store, tap the profile icon, and check the account shown at the top. If you recently changed accounts, Wallet may be trying to verify a number linked to a different profile.

Google Wallet generally requires a secure screen lock, such as a PIN, password, or supported biometric method. Check Settings > Security and enable a screen lock if it is missing. Rooted phones, unlocked bootloaders, and devices that fail Play Protect certification may also be unable to complete payment verification.

For wider guidance on mobile app faults and account checks, these app troubleshooting ideas can provide useful background when the issue involves more than Google Wallet.

Fix SMS And Carrier Restrictions

Check whether ordinary text messages work by asking someone to send you a message. If regular SMS also fails, the issue is probably connected to the network rather than Wallet. Prepaid services may need an active balance, while a recently ported number can take time to receive automated messages.

Look in the Messages app for blocked numbers, spam protection, or filtered service texts. Some Android phones place short-code messages in a spam folder. If you use call or SMS-blocking software, pause it briefly and retry. You can also contact your carrier and ask whether premium, short-code, or automated verification SMS are restricted on the service.

Re-add The Service Carefully

If the verification screen remains stuck, remove and reinstall Google Wallet from the Play Store, then restart the phone before opening it again. Do not repeatedly request codes in quick succession, as several attempts may trigger a temporary security delay. Wait for the latest code rather than entering an older message.

When the service opens normally but payments still fail, check that NFC is enabled and that Google Wallet is set as the default contactless payment app. Your bank may have separate rules for adding cards, and some cards require approval through the bank’s app. If nothing changes after a day, contact the card issuer or Google support with the exact error, handset model, Android version, and mobile provider.