connected to your mobile plan they conduct transactions via text message there is also a growing number of other providers whether global players for worldwide payments like google pay or pay pal or for certain countries and currencies like alley pay in china or india. the main principle stays the same. are for storing money. the balance usually comes from a bank account or credit card or is topped up in cash the app lets you pay by clicking a button scanning a q.r. code or with near field communication i use it mostly because they're really kind of because you can pay everywhere and anywhere with your mobile phone and it takes away the hassle of dealing with cash all with physical credit cards with more about payments you can just get a q.r. code and comes directly from your bank account. user should look out for fees