By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026
PayByPhone
Overview
Auto & Vehicles
PayByPhone Technologies Inc .
Free
Jul 6, 2011
26.2.1
9
No
Feb 27, 2026
Features
PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date.
We simplify journeys for millions with smart, intuitive technology and user-focused features. Available in 10 languages, our app is used across more than 1,300 locations -including cities and private operators
With the PayByPhone app, we help parking to be quick, seamless, and secure. Just...
PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. We simplify journeys for millions with smart, intuitive technology and user-focused features. Available in 10 languages, our app is used across more than 1,300 locations -including cities and private operators
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Ratings breakdown
179,000 reviewsDeveloper contact
Name
PayByPhone Technologies Inc
Address
1290 Homer St Unit 600 Vancouver, BC V6B 2Y5 Canada
Website
https://www.paybyphone.comPhone
+1 236-818-1709
Support
support@paybyphone.com
Privacy
View policyFrequently Asked Questions
Is the PayByPhone app free to download and use? high
Yes, the PayByPhone app is free to download. The app itself does not have a purchase price, and there are no in-app purchases listed. However, parking session fees apply based on the location and duration.
Source: app_metadata, app_description
What payment methods does PayByPhone accept? high
PayByPhone accepts credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal, depending on availability in your location. Recent user reviews (February 2025) report issues with adding credit cards and Google Pay, with persistent errors described. The app description also mentions these options.
Source: app_description, user_reviews
Does PayByPhone work on Android 9? medium
Yes, the app requires Android 9 or higher according to the Google Play listing. However, a recent user review (December 2025) reports that after an update, the app refused to work on Android 9 and forced an OS upgrade, leading to compatibility issues. This may be a specific error case.
Source: app_metadata, user_reviews
Can I extend my parking session remotely? high
Yes, one of the key features listed in the app description is the ability to start and extend parking sessions remotely. The app also sends SMS or push notifications before your session expires to help you manage time.
Source: app_description
Does the app send notifications before my parking expires? high
Yes, according to the app description, PayByPhone can send SMS or push notifications before your parking session expires. This is a user-focused feature designed to help avoid parking tickets.
Source: app_description
How to Use
PayByPhone is a mobile parking payment app that allows users to find, pay for, and extend parking sessions at over 1,300 locations across multiple countries. (app_description)
Getting Started
Source: app_description_and_user_feedback_noted
- Download and install the PayByPhone app from Google Play.
- Open the app and register for an account (recommended to avoid re-entering payment and vehicle info with each use, as reported by recent user feedback).
- Locate the parking zone code on signs near your parking spot, then enter or scan the code in the app.
- Select your desired parking duration and choose a payment method (credit/debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal).
- Confirm the payment to start your parking session. The app will send you a notification before the session expires.
Key Features (from app listing)
Source: app_description
- Start and extend parking sessions remotely via the app.
- View active sessions at a glance using the Today View widget.
- Use Maps or Nearby tools to find available parking in your area.
- Receive SMS or push notifications before your parking session expires.
- Review your parking history and past sessions for record-keeping.
- Pin your parking location to easily find your vehicle.
- Receive emailed receipts for expense tracking.
- Pay with credit/debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal (where available).
Derived from recurring pattern in recent_reviews where users cite forced re-entry of data without account registration.
How this content was created
Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata
AI generated: Yes
- Google Play user reviews (5 per app), December 30, 2025 to February 23, 2026 (recent_reviews)
- Google Play ratings distribution
- App Store listing metadata
- Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment. This analysis is based on only 5 recent reviews, which may heavily skew negative.
- Claims labeled 'low confidence' are based on single-review observations only.
- No real-world app testing was conducted; all claims derive from user-submitted text.
- Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version.
- Ratings distribution was unavailable, limiting context for overall satisfaction.
Pros & Cons
Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews
Pros
- Previously worked fine for basic parking payments without issues.
Theme 'Previously reliable' identified in recent_review #1
Evidence (1)
“It used to work fine, nothing to like or dislike, it's just a parking app.”Rating: 1★ January 22, 2026 1 likes - Available in multiple languages and locations across the UK, North America, and Europe.
Feature mentioned in app description, not directly from reviews
- Sends SMS and push notifications before session expires to prevent fines.
Feature mentioned in app description, not directly from reviews
Cons
- Latest update broke the app, forcing users to re-enter payment and vehicle info daily without an account.
Theme 'Broken by recent update' identified in recent_review #1 and #3
Evidence (2)
“The latest update destroyed the app and it's functionality. Now, if you don't register for an account you have to re-enter all of your payment and vehicle info every day.”Rating: 1★ January 22, 2026 1 likes“I updated this app on Dec.22. Today, Dec.30 when I was parking, it refused to work, requiring an upgrade of the OS”Rating: 1★ December 30, 2025 2 likes - Cannot add any payment method, including credit cards and Google Pay, making the app unusable.
Theme 'Payment method failures' identified in recent_review #0
Evidence (1)
“Downloaded the app, but it won't take any form of payment. I tried 3 different credit cards, including Google payments.”Rating: 1★ February 23, 2025 75 likes - Map feature is glitchy, zooming out automatically and not showing properly.
Theme 'Map glitches' identified in recent_review #4
Evidence (1)
“when I zoom in on the map, the app will zoom back out on its own. so I get in a little battle with the app trying to zoom in faster than it zooms me back out.”Rating: 1★ February 19, 2026 2 likes
Recent Reviews
Paul Spotts
1★Downloaded the app, but it won't take any form of payment. I tried 3 different credit cards, including Google payments. Took about 10 minutes of fumbling before I just paid by card at the meter. What a world app, when there is always an error adding a payment method. Had a 2nd person try too...same issue. I think the app is dead.
Oran Barber
1★It used to work fine, nothing to like or dislike, it's just a parking app. Yes, the pop-ups for "deals" were annoying but dealable. The latest update destroyed the app and it's functionality. Now, if you don't register for an account you have to re-enter all of your payment and vehicle info every day. I don't want an account, I just want to pay for parking. I'm tempted to pay an extra dollar a day just to avoid this terrible app.
Dave Thompson
1★Unreliable and problematic. Registration is a pain especially if you need to swap phone number. Frequently seems to lose account details meaning you have to enter details again. Loads of "something went wrong" messages. Receipts not available unless registered and even then often have details missing. literally costing me money for parking costs I can't reclaim. Worst parking app I've used.
Tabby R
1★I updated this app on Dec.22. Today, Dec.30 when I was parking, it refused to work, requiring an upgrade of the OS, forcing me to use it through the browser &website. So, I wasted lots of time recovering the password in freezing tenperature. I just discovered that it is still available on Android 9, and "later" button would have allowed using the app. Boo!
Anton Cauthorn
1★updating my review. the app still has serious problems. sometimes the map option doesn't show. the app is often glitchy. when I zoom in on the map, the app will zoom back out on its own. so I get in a little battle with the app trying to zoom in faster than it zooms me back out. can't understand why that bug hasn't been fixed yet.