Microsoft announced Microsoft Wallet tap-to-pay for a limited set of Windows 10 Mobile phones in the United States in June 2016. The preview was for Windows Insiders on build 14360 or higher and named only the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, and Lumia 650. Those launch details do not establish whether Wallet can be installed, enrolled, or used for payments today.
What Microsoft Wallet 2.0 offered
Microsoft described Wallet as cloud-based payment technology that let users tap a supported phone at a contactless point-of-sale terminal. The June 21, 2016 announcement credited customer feedback and partnerships with Mastercard and Visa. Microsoft said the service was available at “over a million retail locations” displaying a contactless payment symbol or Microsoft Wallet logo. That number was the company’s launch-era claim, not a verified count of locations today. Microsoft’s June 2016 announcement also said Wallet could store reward and membership numbers for reference or scanning.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nokia Lumia 1520, Black 16GB (AT&T) (Renewed) | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Microsoft Lumia 735 in Grey | $135.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nokia Lumia 1020, Black 32GB (AT&T) | $190.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Nokia Lumia 635 Unlocked GSM Windows 8.1 Quad-Core Phone - Black | $49.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Nokia Lumia 1520, Black 16GB (AT&T) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Which phones and software qualified at launch?
The initial U.S. announcement named three phones and a minimum preview build:
| Launch requirement | Microsoft’s June 2016 announcement |
|---|---|
| Phone models | Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, or Lumia 650 |
| Software | Windows 10 Mobile Insider build 14360 or higher |
| Initial region | United States |
This was not a promise that every Windows 10 Mobile device could use tap-to-pay. Microsoft’s separate Windows Phone lifecycle FAQ notes that update availability could vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities; it does not verify Wallet compatibility or service status.
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Was Masterpass part of NFC tap-to-pay?
No. In October 2016, Microsoft described a separate planned connection between Mastercard’s Masterpass and Microsoft Wallet for online purchases at merchants accepting Masterpass. The post said Mastercard cardholders using Windows 10 phones, tablets, and desktops would have an online payment option. It was an online-commerce announcement, not evidence about NFC payments at a shop or about present-day Wallet operation. Microsoft’s October 2016 post also cited more than 400 million monthly active Windows 10 devices; that figure described the platform context, not Wallet users.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you use Microsoft Wallet to pay today?
The cited Microsoft announcements document historical launch plans and features, but do not establish current app availability, participating banks or cards, card-enrollment eligibility, or successful present-day NFC transactions. Therefore, they are not enough to conclude that Wallet still works—or that it has been discontinued. A phone’s model or old Insider build alone cannot confirm current payment service availability.
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