Contactless Takes Over: New myPOS Data Shows PIN Use in Decline

Britain’s rapid shift towards tap-to-pay is leaving traditional PIN codes behind, according to new research from myPOS. As contactless becomes the country’s most preferred way to pay, almost a third of young adults now admit they can’t remember their four-digit PIN.

The data shows that 29% of Gen Z struggle to recall their PIN or have completely forgotten it, highlighting how digital-first habits are reshaping everyday payment behaviour. However, this trend is not limited to younger generations. One in five Boomers (20%) report the same issue, reflecting how reliance on physical cards and manual authentication is declining across age groups.

This change is being driven by the dominance of contactless card and mobile payments. More than two-thirds of Brits (69%) say tapping with a card, smartphone or smartwatch is now their primary payment method. In comparison, just 16% mainly rely on chip and PIN, while 14% primarily use cash. A further 10% of consumers say they now live entirely wallet-free, using only their mobile phone or smartwatch for everyday spending.

Convenience continues to accelerate the decline of PIN usage across the UK. Nearly half of respondents (47%) say they would be happy to go fully contactless if it meant shorter queues in shops and venues. Flexibility and convenience (42%), along with speed (34%), are cited as the leading reasons behind the growing popularity of tap-to-pay.

“As the UK embraces contactless and mobile payments, it’s clear that the traditional PIN is becoming less central to everyday transactions,” says Michael Ault, Managing Director at myPOS Payments. “Businesses and payment providers should ensure security and convenience go hand-in-hand, while recognising that consumer habits are evolving rapidly.”

The research also reveals clear generational differences in how people prefer to tap and pay. Among consumers aged 34 and below, 38% regularly use their mobile phones to make payments, reflecting a strong adoption of digital wallets. By contrast, 54% of those aged 35 and over prefer to use contactless debit or credit cards, showing that trust and established habits still influence how older consumers engage with new technology.

Despite the rapid growth of contactless and mobile payments, security remains the top priority for UK shoppers. Over six in ten consumers (61%) say security and trust are the most important factors when making payments, rising to 68% among Boomers. As digital payments continue to mature, the findings underline that while convenience is driving adoption, confidence and safety remain firmly top of mind.