Jim turns your phone into a card reader. No extra hardware to buy, no terminal to carry. But your phone needs to meet a few requirements for it to work.
What your phone needs
Jim works on iPhone or Android phones with NFC and up-to-date software.
NFC
That's the technology that lets your phone talk to a contactless card when someone taps it. Most phones made in the last few years have it.
Up-to-date software
Keep your phone's operating system current. Old software can cause issues with NFC and security features.
Not jailbroken or rooted
Jim won't run on a phone that's been jailbroken (iPhone) or rooted (Android). These bypass the phone's built-in security and Jim can't operate on a device that's been modified that way.
Digital wallet for your Jim Card
To use your Jim Card, you need Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your phone. That's how you add the card and spend your balance in stores with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
If you only want to take payments and move your balance via ACH, you can do that without a digital wallet. But to spend your balance with the Jim Card, the wallet is required.
How NFC works on your phone
When someone taps their card on your phone, the payment goes through using NFC (Near Field Communication).
The transaction is encrypted end to end. Jim uses tokenization, so the actual card details are never transmitted or stored. What moves between the card and your phone is a token, not the real card number.
If your phone meets the requirements but something's off
A few things can cause issues even when your phone should work:
NFC turned off.
Some phones let you turn NFC on and off in settings. Make sure it's on.
Permissions not granted.
Jim needs certain permissions to function. If you skipped them during setup, the app may not work properly.
Software out of date.
An old operating system can cause NFC and security features to misbehave. Update and try again.
If none of that fixes it, reach out to support.
FAQ
Can I use Jim on an iPad or Android tablet?
No. Jim runs on phones only. Tablets aren't supported.
Do I need to buy a card reader?
No. Your phone is the reader. That's the whole point of Jim. If you have a smartphone with NFC, you already have what you need.
Can I use Jim on a jailbroken or rooted phone?
No. Jim won't run on a phone that's been jailbroken or rooted. These modifications break the security that Jim relies on.
What if my phone has NFC but Tap to Pay isn't working?
Check that NFC is turned on in your settings, that your software is up to date, and that Jim has the permissions it needs. If it's still not working, reach out to support.
Need more help? Human support is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm EST.
Chat: in the app
Phone: +1 833 315 2573
Email: help@jim.com
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