How to Use Any UK Bank with Garmin Pay
Here's a direct guide on how to use any UK bank with Garmin Pay via Curve—this workaround lets you add banks that Garmin Pay doesn’t natively support.
Until September 2019, UK users could only access Garmin Pay if they banked with Revolut, Starling, or Santander. However, just before I wrapped up my time as Product Manager for Garmin Pay, I helped launch a key integration with Curve.
This rollout was a game-changer—it meant that UK customers could now use Garmin Pay with virtually any bank, including those not natively supported like Barclays or Monzo, simply by linking their accounts through Curve.
Setting up Garmin Pay is relatively straightforward in the US, Europe, and Asia, with a full list of supported banks available on Garmin’s official site. But in the UK, stricter regulations around payment systems have made it harder for many banks to justify building the technical infrastructure needed to support Garmin Pay natively.
Enter… Curve Card!
Curve acts as a smart payment card that lets you connect virtually any UK bank card to Garmin Pay, even if your bank isn’t directly supported. You add your regular debit or credit cards to Curve, then use the Curve Mastercard as the one linked to Garmin Pay—allowing you to pay from any bank account through your Garmin device.
Here's a direct guide on how to use any UK bank with Garmin Pay via Curve—this workaround lets you add banks that Garmin Pay doesn’t natively support:
✅ Step-by-Step: Use Any UK Bank with Garmin Pay via Curve
1. Download the Curve App
Get it from the App Store or Google Play.
Create an account and verify your identity.
2. Add Your Bank Card(s) to Curve
In the Curve app, tap “Wallet” → “Add a card.”
Add your UK debit or credit card—even if it’s from a bank not supported by Garmin Pay.
3. Order and Activate Your Curve Card
Curve will send you a physical Mastercard.
Once received, activate it in the app.
4. Add Curve to Garmin Pay
Open the Garmin Connect app on your phone.
Go to Devices → Garmin Pay → Wallet.
Tap “Add Card” and enter the Curve card details.
Complete verification (usually via SMS or Curve app).
5. Set Your Default Card in Curve
Open the Curve app.
Tap your desired bank card and select “Set as default.”
Curve will charge this card when you use Garmin Pay.
6. Start Paying with Garmin Pay
Use your Garmin watch to pay via Garmin Pay.
Curve routes the transaction through your chosen bank card.
🔄 Optional: Use “Go Back in Time”
Curve lets you move a payment to a different card after the fact (within 30 days).
Useful if you used the wrong funding source.
⚠️ Notes
Curve supports Mastercard and Visa, but not all prepaid or business cards.
Your original bank doesn't need Garmin Pay support—only Curve does.
Garmin Pay only supports Curve Mastercard, not the underlying card directly.
You can use my referral link here to sign up for Curve (which has a load of other benefits too), and we will each receive cash rewards! #Boshhh
https://www.curve.com/en-gb/signup/#N3A4LGZD
And as always, you can follow my current journey around the world here!