Apple Pay works without any data connection. It works in Airplane Mode.
I discovered this when desperately trying to a buy a Prague tram ticket from a contactless only machine and was stunned and delighted when it worked.
Originally Posted by
tmiw
Apple Pay doesn't need a data connection at all. Android Pay, however, does need to phone home occasionally for new tokens. I think you can use it for up to 24 hours before you have to connect to WiFi or cell data. No idea about Samsung Pay or the others.
i had no idea, just assumed it was a real time process as I use Android Pay. It's never worked here in the US without data (at least the couple scenarios in the grocery store where data was spotty)