Pay by Phone App Guide: Setup, Payment, Security & Costs

Anyone who has fumbled for coins at a parking meter knows the frustration, but PayByPhone, used by over 95 million drivers, lets you pay for parking from your smartphone instead. According to PayByPhone’s official website, the app works wherever signage shows the service is available.

Global users: Over 95 million drivers trust PayByPhone for parking payments. (PayByPhone) ·
App Store rating: PayByPhone app has a 4.6/5 rating on Apple App Store and Google Play. (Google Play) ·
Number of cities: PayByPhone operates in thousands of parking locations across multiple countries. (PayByPhone) ·
Free to download: The app is free to download and use; only parking fees apply. (PayByPhone)

Six essential facts, one takeaway: PayByPhone is a straightforward app with clear requirements.

Is PayByPhone an app?

What is the app that lets you pay with your phone?

• PayByPhone is a mobile app specifically designed for parking payments. According to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Easy Read guide, it works wherever signage indicates the service is available.
• The app is available on iOS 14.0+ and Android 6.0+, as shown on its Google Play listing.
• Instead of cash or card at the meter, you pay directly from your phone—no more change hunting.

The implication: PayByPhone is a straightforward replacement for traditional meter payment, but only where it’s supported.

How do I set up PayByPhone?

How do I set up pay by phone?

1. Download the PayByPhone app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
2. Create an account using your email and a password. The RBKC guide lists four setup methods: website, app, phone (020 7023 9078), or SMS (text REG plus your vehicle registration to 65565).
3. Add vehicle info (license plate) and a payment method—debit/credit card or PayPal.
4. Enter the location code from the parking sign or meter to start your first session.

What this means: setup takes less than five minutes, and you only need to do it once.

If you’re driving to London, our guide to the Congestion Charge and ULEZ covers similar hassle‑free payment options.

How do I pay with PayByPhone?

How do I pay for parking with PayByPhone?

• Enter the location code from the parking meter or sign. According to PayByPhone’s how-it-works page, this number is four or five digits.
• Choose your parking duration and confirm the transaction.
• Receive a confirmation and a reminder before your time runs out.
• Extend remotely from the app without returning to the car (PayByPhone).

How do I pay directly from my phone?

• The PayByPhone app is the primary way to pay directly. You can also call the number on the signage—existing account holders enter the location number and duration (PayByPhone).
• New users calling in are guided through registration (PayByPhone).

The pattern: whether via app or phone call, the same location code unlocks the session. The app adds convenience—notifications and extensions—that a call can’t.

How safe is PayByPhone?

Is the PayByPhone system secure?

• Encryption: Payment data is encrypted in transit and at rest. According to PayByPhone, the system is designed to protect your information.
• PCI DSS compliance: PayByPhone meets the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, a mandatory requirement for handling card payments.
• Minimum data stored: No sensitive card details are saved locally on your device.
• Optional PIN or biometric lock within the app adds an extra layer of protection.

Why this matters: any app handling payments is a target. PayByPhone’s compliance with PCI DSS is the industry’s baseline, not a bonus. Your risk is lower than using an unsecured website, but not zero.

Are pay by phone apps free to use?

Is PayByPhone free?

• Free download—no cost to install the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• No monthly subscription fees for basic parking features.
• No convenience fee per transaction—you pay the standard parking tariff set by the location. The RBKC guide confirms no extra charge beyond the parking fee.
• Only the parking cost is billed to your payment method.

The catch: free for you, but the parking operator pays transaction fees. That’s why it’s in their interest to offer the service—and why it’s free to users.

If you’re flying from Heathrow, our guide to the £7 drop‑off charge explains another common UK travel fee.

PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date.

— PayByPhone official website (PayByPhone)

With the PayByPhone app, we help parking to be quick, seamless, and secure.

— Google Play description (Google Play)

For anyone who parks in a city where PayByPhone is available, the decision is simple: download the app and never worry about loose change again—or keep fumbling at the meter. The catch: you need a smartphone and a linked payment method. For UK drivers, that’s increasingly a non-issue.