Pay by Phone App: How to Use PayByPhone for Parking

You know the feeling: you finally find a parking spot, but the meter is broken or you don’t have change. That’s exactly where a pay by phone app like PayByPhone comes in — more than 95 million drivers have used it to skip the coins and pay from their seat. This guide covers setup, payment steps, safety, and the real costs, using official sources from PayByPhone and cities like Cork, Ireland.

Global users: 95 million+ ·
Platforms: Android and iOS ·
Example city: Cork City, Ireland

A few quick facts about PayByPhone at a glance.

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

Is PayByPhone an app?

Yes, PayByPhone is a mobile parking payment app published by PayByPhone Technologies Inc (Google Play). It’s designed to replace cash and card payments at parking meters. You can download it from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

What features does a pay by phone app offer?

• Enter or scan a location code found on parking signs (PayByPhone)
• Choose parking duration and pay with credit/debit card or digital wallet (PayByPhone Support)
• Extend your parking session remotely without walking back to the vehicle (PayByPhone)
• Manage vehicle details, payment methods, and security settings from the app (PayByPhone)

Which pay by phone apps are available?

While several apps exist, PayByPhone is one of the most widely used, operating in 7 countries including the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the USA, and Canada (PayByPhone official coverage map). Other options include RingGo and ParkMobile, but this guide focuses on PayByPhone due to its global reach and integration with city parking systems like Cork’s (see our PayByPhone parking setup in Ireland article for local details).

The pattern: one account can work across many cities, but not every country is covered. Check the app’s location code database for your area.

How do I set up PayByPhone?

How do I create a PayByPhone account?

1. Download the PayByPhone app from Google Play or the Apple App Store (Apple App Store).
2. Open the app and tap “Register”. Provide your phone number, email address, and create a password (minimum 6 characters) (PayByPhone Support – signup guide).
3. Verify your phone number via the confirmation code sent by SMS.

How do I add my vehicle license plate?

In the app, go to “Vehicles” and tap “Add Vehicle”. Enter the license plate number, state or province, vehicle type, and an optional description (e.g., “red hatchback”). You can also take a photo of your car (PayByPhone Support – vehicle setup).

How do I add a payment method?

Navigate to “Payment” and select “Add Payment Method”. Choose from credit or debit cards (accepted types vary by location) or digital wallets like Apple Pay. The app shows which card types are available for your city before you enter details (PayByPhone Support – payment methods).

Tip: Add a backup payment method so you’re never stuck when one card expires.

The implication: once set up, you can start parking immediately in any supported city.

How do I pay with PayByPhone?

How do I pay for parking with PayByPhone?

1. Find the parking location code on the signs or on the machine near your space.
2. Open the PayByPhone app and enter the code, or scan the QR code with your camera (PayByPhone – payment flow).
3. Select your vehicle (if you have multiple registered) and the desired parking duration.
4. Confirm the amount shown on screen and tap “Pay”.

Payment is processed instantly. You’ll receive a confirmation receipt stored in the app’s history (PayByPhone). In Cork, you can also call 021 4924030 to pay by phone (Cork City Council – phone payment).

How do I pay directly from my phone without the app?

If you don’t have the app installed, you can still pay via PayByPhone’s mobile website. Open your phone’s browser, go to paybyphone.com, and follow the same steps (location code, duration, payment). The web version supports the same payment methods (PayByPhone).

Can I extend my parking session?

Yes — within the app, you can extend your session before it expires, as long as the location allows it and there’s remaining time available. You don’t need to return to your car (PayByPhone).

The trade-off: you pay for the additional time at the same rate, plus any applicable convenience fee.

How safe is PayByPhone?

Is the PayByPhone system secure?

PayByPhone complies with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), meaning it handles card data according to strict industry requirements (PayByPhone – security statement). Transactions are encrypted during transmission and stored securely.

What encryption does PayByPhone use?

The company uses industry-standard encryption protocols for data in transit and at rest. While specific algorithms (e.g., AES-256) are not publicly confirmed, PayByPhone states that all payment information is protected with security measures consistent with financial-grade applications (PayByPhone – security details).

Is my payment information protected?

• Full card numbers are not stored on your device.
• The app supports login via PIN or biometric authentication (fingerprint or face ID) (PayByPhone Support – security settings).
• You can view and manage your security settings online, including changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (PayByPhone – account management).

The bottom line: PayByPhone offers strong security, but users must follow basic precautions to stay protected.

Are pay by phone apps free to use?

Is PayByPhone free?

Downloading the PayByPhone app is free. There are no annual subscription fees (Google Play). However, each parking transaction may include a convenience fee, which varies by city and location.

Are there any fees for using pay by phone apps?

Yes — many municipalities allow a per-transaction fee (typically $0.25 to $0.50) to cover processing costs and system operation. The fee is disclosed before you confirm payment, so there are no surprises (PayByPhone). In Cork, the base parking rate is €2.50 per hour, and any applicable fee is added at checkout (Cork City Council – rates).

How does PayByPhone make money?

PayByPhone earns primarily from these convenience fees paid by drivers. Municipalities also pay the company for operating the payment infrastructure. This model keeps the app free to download while generating revenue per transaction.

The implication: for frequent parkers, the small per-use fees add up. If you park daily, consider whether a monthly parking pass or alternative payment method would be cheaper.

“More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date.” — PayByPhone

“With the PayByPhone app, we help parking to be quick, seamless, and secure.” — PayByPhone app description (Google Play)

“There is no need to display anything on your car when using Park By Phone.” — Cork City Council

For drivers in Cork, the choice is clear: download the app or keep scrambling for coins. With real-time session extension and no need to display a ticket, PayByPhone cuts the hassle out of urban parking — but the convenience fee means it’s not free to use.

For a complete walkthrough of setting up the app and managing payments, see this PayByPhone guide for setup and payments which covers everything from initial registration to security features.

Frequently asked questions