Huawei Pay Launches in Belarus: A Comprehensive Guide to Mobile Payments

Huawei Pay: The Future of Mobile Payments in Belarus

Belarus has welcomed the Huawei Pay mobile payment system, enabling users to make purchases with their Huawei smartphones equipped with EMUI 12 or higher and NFC support. This article explores the functionalities of Huawei Pay and its benefits for users in Belarus.

Capabilities of Huawei Pay

Huawei Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to make quick and secure payments without the need for cash or physical bank cards. This service is accepted in numerous stores, restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and other retail outlets. Simply hold your device near a contactless terminal, and the payment is processed in seconds.

The service is operational throughout Belarus and in many other countries, particularly in the Asian region where it was developed and is most popular. It is also available in Russia, making it a convenient payment method for international travel.

Requirements for Using Huawei Pay

To use Huawei Pay in Belarus, you need a Huawei smartphone with EMUI 12 or higher and NFC support. The service works in conjunction with the Huawei Wallet app, which is pre-installed on all Huawei devices and can also be downloaded from the AppGallery.

Transactions are processed through the UnionPay payment system, so you will need to link a compatible bank card to your virtual wallet. Currently, Belarusbank is the primary bank supporting this service, but more banks are expected to join soon.

Supported Devices

Huawei Pay is compatible with all Huawei smartphones that have EMUI 12 or higher and NFC support. This includes flagship models such as the Huawei P60, P60 Pro, Mate 50, and Mate 50 Pro. Popular models like the Huawei nova 11, 11 Pro, and 11i also support the service.

In recent years, even budget models have started to include NFC support. Some examples are the Huawei nova Y61, Y70, and Y91. Additionally, older devices may also be compatible with this technology.

While some Huawei smartwatches theoretically support contactless payments through Huawei Pay, this feature is not yet available in Belarus. However, it may be implemented in the future.

Supported Cards

Huawei Pay transactions are processed through the UnionPay payment system. In Belarus, only two banks issue UnionPay cards: Belagroprombank and Belarusbank. Currently, the service is exclusively available to Belarusbank cardholders, but this list is expected to expand.

Belarusbank offers UnionPay cards with a four-year validity period in Belarusian rubles, Russian rubles, US dollars, or Chinese yuan. All options are international and can be used for payments abroad. Remote card issuance (via the bank’s website, mobile, or internet banking) costs 15 rubles for UnionPay Gold and 30 rubles for UnionPay Platinum. Issuance at a bank branch costs 5 and 10 rubles more, respectively.

After receiving and activating your card, you can link it to your wallet through the mobile app. This allows you to use your smartphone for payments instead of the physical card.

Linking Your Card

To set up Huawei Pay, use the Huawei Wallet app, which comes pre-installed on all Huawei smartphones. If it is not available on your device, you can download it from the AppGallery. Before using the service, ensure that the app is updated to the latest version.

To link your card, open the Huawei Wallet app, tap the “+” button, and follow the on-screen instructions. You can enable the option to automatically turn on NFC whenever you open the mobile wallet.

You can manually enter your card details or scan them using your device’s camera. To do this, grant the app permission to access your camera and photos. After entering or scanning your card details, accept the terms and conditions and provide your phone number. You will receive an SMS with a verification code. Once you enter the code, your card will be linked to Huawei Pay. The entire setup process takes less than a couple of minutes.

Making Payments

To make a payment with your Huawei smartphone, simply hold it near a payment terminal and confirm the transaction with your chosen card. The payment will be processed in seconds, and an internet connection is not required. However, NFC must be enabled on your device.

Security of Payments

Huawei Pay transactions are fully secure and protected from unauthorized access. The service does not store card data on the smartphone and does not share transaction information with merchants that can be linked to the buyer. Instead, a token—a digital equivalent of the card—is used and transmitted in encrypted form.

Additionally, all transactions require confirmation via PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition. For larger payments, an extra verification step is required, further reducing the risk of theft. Essentially, the security level provided by Huawei Pay is comparable to that used by banks.

Conclusion

Belarus now has another option for device-based payments. Launched by Huawei in 2015, Huawei Pay has gained millions of users worldwide due to its simplicity, convenience, and high level of security. It is likely to become popular in Belarus as well, as it saves time during purchases and can be used both domestically and internationally.

For more information, visit the official Belarusbank website.