SINGAPORE — Some Android smartphone users will now be able to top up their ez-link cards with their phones. Launched yesterday, a free app called My EZ-Link Mobile, will allow public transport commuters to top up their ez-link cards simply by tapping the cards onto their smartphones. The top-up amount selected, up to S$30, will be charged to their Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, and users can top up a maximum of 10 ez-link cards. Personal and payment details must be entered into the app before users are allowed to top up their cards.

For now, the app, created by EZ-Link, only works on some smartphones that are near field communications (NFC) enabled, limiting its use to certain Samsung, Sony and LG smartphone models. Apple’s iPhones are not NFC-enabled. NFC is a wireless transmission technology that allows mobile payment.

MasterCard cardholders will have the S$0.30 fee for each successful transaction waived for the next six months. For security purposes, the number of transactions will be limited to five a day, and the app will only store the details of the debit or credit card last used.

Besides the top-up function, public transport commuters can also use the app to check their ez-link card’s balance and transaction history.

Plans are under way to expand the list of smartphones compatible with the app and more NFC-enabled smartphone models are being tested for compatibility, said EZ-Link.

The public can visit www.ezlinknfc.com to check if their smartphones are compatible with the app. WOO SIAN BOON