On the morning of June 2, 2025, Samsung Pay users across South Korea faced an unexpected and frustrating disruption that lasted for more than three hours. Beginning around 7 AM, Samsung Electronics' widely used mobile payment system experienced a payment and registration error that rendered the service unusable for many. The glitch sparked a wave of complaints on social media and online communities, with users reporting difficulties paying at convenience stores, gas stations, and medical facilities.
Samsung Pay, a mobile simple payment service offered by Samsung Electronics, allows users to make transactions using their smartphones through fingerprint recognition or password authentication. However, on this particular morning, attempts to log in or complete payments were met with error messages such as "Samsung Wallet cannot be used. Please try again later." This left many customers stranded, especially those who had left their physical cards at home, relying solely on the digital payment method.
According to reports from various news outlets, including Asia Times and Yonhap News, the error persisted for approximately three hours and thirty minutes. Samsung Electronics officially announced around 10:30 AM that the issue had been resolved and normal service was restored. The company stated, "The phenomenon where errors occurred when attempting card payment and registration has been resolved, and normal use is possible." Despite the restoration, the precise cause of the disruption remains under investigation.
A Samsung Electronics representative told Asia Times, "We are identifying the cause of the error. We will strive to prevent recurrence." This statement reflects the company's commitment to addressing the problem, especially considering a similar incident had occurred less than a month earlier. On May 16, 2025, a temporary network equipment issue caused a brief payment error in Samsung Pay, but that disruption was swiftly resolved within three minutes.
The June 2 malfunction, however, was more prolonged and impactful. Users took to online platforms such as the Samsung Members community and various social media channels to express their frustrations. Comments ranged from practical warnings to humorous anecdotes. One user advised, "If you use Samsung Pay, carry a physical card," while another recounted, "I went to a convenience store in the morning and was flustered while checking out because Samsung Pay didn’t work." Others shared stories of resorting to account transfers after failed payment attempts and noted how even store employees appeared bewildered by the sudden outage.
A reporter from one outlet personally experienced the issue at a store in Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, around 7:05 AM, confirming the widespread nature of the problem. The disruption was not confined to a single location or type of establishment but affected users nationwide, highlighting the significant reliance on mobile payment systems in daily life.
Samsung Wallet, the broader platform that includes Samsung Pay, posted a notice on its community board at 10:22 AM stating, "The phenomenon where errors occurred when attempting card payment and registration has been resolved, and normal use is possible." Interestingly, this notice was removed by 1 PM the same day, possibly indicating that the company deemed the issue fully addressed.
The outage also exposed the vulnerability of digital payment systems when users do not carry backup payment methods. Some customers found themselves unable to pay for essential services, such as fuel or hospital bills, leading to delays and inconvenience. Online complaints included remarks like, "I trusted Samsung Pay and didn’t bring my wallet, nearly missing school," and "No notice, no guidance, what is this?" These reactions underscore the growing dependence on technology for everyday transactions and the challenges that arise when such systems fail.
Experts note that while mobile payments offer convenience and speed, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of robust infrastructure and contingency plans. Samsung Electronics’ ongoing investigation into the root cause aims to prevent similar disruptions in the future, reassuring users of the reliability of their services.
In the fast-evolving landscape of digital finance, Samsung Pay’s hiccup on June 2 highlights both the benefits and risks of technology-driven payment methods. As the company works to maintain trust and improve system stability, users are reminded to stay prepared with alternative payment options, just in case.
