Good News! Our newly launched Cleva Classic Card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay. This guide walks you through exactly how to add your Cleva Classic Card to any of these platforms, what you need before you start, and where you can use it once you’re set up.
Why add your Cleva Classic Card to Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand what you actually gain by adding your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
First, speed. Contactless payments are significantly faster than inserting a card and entering a PIN. You hold your phone near the terminal, authenticate with Face ID, fingerprint, or your passcode, and the transaction is done in seconds.
Second, security. When you pay with any of these methods, your actual card number never gets shared with the merchant. This means your card details stay protected even if a merchant’s system is ever compromised.
Third, convenience. Your Cleva Classic Card gives you access to US dollar funds, and adding it to any of these platforms means you can spend those funds anywhere in the world, without carrying a physical card.
So whether you’re paying for Netflix, Spotify, cloud tools, or a coffee in New York, adding your Cleva Classic Card to Apple Pay or Google Pay turns your phone into a powerful spending tool.
What you need before you start
To successfully add your Cleva Classic Card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, make sure you have the following ready:
- An active Cleva account with a Classic Card issued
- The Cleva app installed on your phone (iOS or Android)
- A compatible device — iPhone for Apple Pay, Android for Google Pay
- The latest version of the Wallet app (iPhone) or Google Pay app (Android)
Don’t have a Cleva account yet? Sign up on Cleva and get your Classic Card in minutes.
Important: Availability of Apple Pay or Google Pay may vary depending on your region and device model. Ensure your device supports contactless payments before proceeding.
How to add your Cleva Classic Card to Apple Pay
If you’re on an iPhone, follow these steps to add your card to Apple Pay:
Step 1 — Open the Wallet app
Launch the native Wallet app on your iPhone. Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner to add a new card.
Step 2 — Select “Debit or Credit Card”
Choose this option from the list and tap “Continue”.
Step 3 — Enter your Cleva Classic Card details
You can either position your card in the frame to scan it automatically, or tap “Enter Card Details Manually” and type in your card number, expiry date, and CVV. All of these details are available inside the Cleva app.
Step 4 — Agree to the terms
Review and accept the card issuer’s terms and conditions to move forward.
Step 5 — Verify your card
You’ll be prompted to verify ownership of the card. Choose your preferred verification method. This is usually a one-time code sent to your registered email or phone number.
Step 6 — Start using Apple Pay
Once verification is complete, your Cleva Classic Card appears in your Wallet. You’re now ready to use Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores, online, and in apps.
How to add Your Cleva Classic Card to Google Pay
If you’re on Android, here’s how to add your card to Google Pay:
Step 1 — Open the Google Pay app
If you don’t have it installed, download it from the Google Play Store first. Then open the app and navigate to the “Payment methods” section.
Step 2 — Tap “Add a card”
Select the option to add a new debit or credit card to your Google Pay wallet.
Step 3 — Enter your Cleva Classic Card details
Use your phone camera to scan your card or enter the details manually, card number, expiry date, and CVV. You’ll find all of these inside your Cleva app.
Step 4 — Accept the terms
Review the terms from the card issuer and tap to accept.
Step 5 — Verify your card
Choose your verification method (email or SMS) and enter the code you receive to confirm it’s your card.
Step 6 — You’re set
Your Cleva Classic Card is now live in Google Pay. Hold your Android device near any compatible payment terminal and authenticate to pay.
Where can you use Apple Pay or Google Pay with your Cleva Classic Card?
Once you’ve added your card, you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay almost everywhere, both online and in the physical world. Here’s where your Cleva Classic Card will work:
- Online checkouts — Anywhere you see the Apple Pay or Google Pay button at checkout, including e-commerce stores, SaaS subscriptions, and app stores.
- Apps — Ride-hailing, food delivery, travel booking, and streaming services that support these platforms in-app purchases.
- International spending — Because your Cleva Classic Card holds US dollars, adding it to Apple Pay or Google Pay means you can spend in USD globally without conversion headaches.
In short, anywhere Apple Pay or Google Pay is accepted and where Visa works, your Cleva Classic Card has you covered.
Is it safe to use Apple Pay or Google Pay with your Cleva Classic Card?
Absolutely. In fact, paying with Apple Pay or Google Pay is more secure than swiping or inserting your physical card. Here’s why:
Tokenisation — Neither of these platforms shares your real card number with merchants. Every payment uses a digital token, so your actual Cleva Classic Card details never leave your device.
Device authentication — Every transaction requires you to authenticate with biometrics (Face ID or fingerprint) or a passcode. Nobody else can authorise a payment from your device without that step.
Remote card controls — If your phone ever gets lost or stolen, you can immediately freeze your Cleva Classic Card from within the Cleva app, which also disables it in Apple Pay or Google Pay instantly.
Together, these layers of protection mean you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay with your Cleva Classic Card confidently, whether you’re at home or halfway around the world.
Conclusion
Adding your Cleva Classic Card to Apple Pay or Google Pay is one of the quickest ways to unlock the full potential of your account. You get the speed of tap-to-pay, the security of tokenised transactions, and the flexibility to spend your US dollars anywhere in the world, all from your phone.
Cleva is built for Africans who want to earn, hold, and spend in dollars without friction. Regardless of the platform you use, your Cleva Classic Card fits right into the way you already live and pay.
Haven’t opened your account yet? Sign up on Cleva, get your Classic Card, and start spending smarter today.
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