Using Snapper Mobile is easy and intuitive. From using your phone to pay for everyday items, to checking your balance using the built-in widget and then topping up, we’ve designed Snapper Mobile to let you do what you want and then get on with your day.
To make this all work, we’ve brought together leading edge smartphone, security and contactless payment technology. Let’s take a look at what’s under the cover.
On this page:
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How does Snapper Mobile work?
Five important pieces of technology come together to make Snapper Mobile work.
1. The Snapper applet
The Snapper applet performs the payment and transport functions for Snapper Mobile. The same applet is used on all other next generation (Java) Snapper cards.
2. Touch2Pay SIM
The Snapper applet needs to be securely issued to a physically secure part of your phone. The best place for that is the Touch2Pay SIM. The Touch2Pay SIM is an NFC compatible USIM.
3. Industry-standard smartphones
In order for Snapper Mobile to operate with full functionality (Touch2Pay and the Snapper Mobile application), a smartphone with the following minimum specification is needed:
- NFC - to allow the phone to communicate with other contactless devices (Snapper readers, other Snapper cards)
- Single Wire Protocol - this allows the Snapper applet, issued to the Touch2Pay SIM to respond to NFC requests for payments and reload
- Open SIM Alliance - the allows the Snapper Mobile Android app to communicate with the Snapper applet on the Touch2Pay SIM
- Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean - these Android operating systems support NFC and are the minimum required for Snapper Mobile
4. Snapper payment network
The Snapper payment network supports both native and next generation (Java) based Snapper devices, including Snapper Mobile. You can use the full range of functionality of the Snapper payment network including all public transport and retail payment terminals. You can also use the top-up functions including retail and kiosk top-ups, or the Snapper Feeder.
5. Snapper server
A number of the functions performed by Snapper Mobile need centralised management. Pass sales, registration, top-ups and transfers are all managed by the Snapper server which needs your smartphone to connect either via 3G or WiFi.
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Snapper Mobile Security
Security has been important to Snapper since we first launched.
The Snapper applet is protected by bank-grade Triple DES security to provide assurance that the applet is valid. Everytime the Snapper applet is used to perform a transaction, there is a transaction level security check so you can be assured that the transaction is secure and valid.
Snapper use sophisticated secure smart card technology that achieves a Common Criteria rating of 5+ (that's really secure).
Why Snapper on your SIM?
Snapper Mobile is secured through the issuing of the Snapper applet on your Touch2Pay SIM. Snapper Mobile conforms to the NFC requirements stipulated by the GSMA
The Snapper applet has been loaded onto the Touch2Pay SIM in a completely secure environment using the latest in smart card issuing technology. This is the same level of security and capability that mobile phone operators, credit card issuers and banks use around the world to securely issue payment cards and SIMs.
Payment security
Like all Snapper transactions, they are triple DES signed, meaning that each transaction is encrypted to banking payment standards.
Compliance
Snapper Mobile complies with the relevant parts of the global industry standards in place for secure contactless payments
- GSMA
- USIM
- GlobalPlatform
- Single Wire Protocol
- NFC
- Open SIM Alliance
- ISO 14443
- ISO 7816
Snapper App
Complies with Google Play’s terms of service.
Tips to keep your phone and Snapper Mobile safe.
Snapper is designed to replace cash for everyday purchases. Not only is Snapper much more convenient than cash, it is also more secure.
Here are some tips to make Snapper Mobile even more secure.
1. Register your Snapper Mobile
Protect your balance by registering from within the Snapper Mobile application. If you lose your phone, contact us and we’ll hotlist your Snapper Mobile to prevent it from being used on the Snapper payment application.
2. Protect your phone
If you’re going to leave your phone unattended, there are two simple steps to protect the money on Snapper Mobile
- Disable NFC on your phone
- Enable PIN lock
This method will secure your Snapper even if the battery is removed from the phone, keeping the money on your Snapper safe at all times.
3. Protect your credit card information
When you are topping up your Snapper Mobile, take care to ensure that your credit card information is not visible to people around you. We use industry standard payment gateways to securely authorise your credit card details. We don’t store credit card information.
4. Use common sense
Don’t click on strange links or open emails if you don’t know the sender. Netsafe has good resources for avoiding Net Trickery.