GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR Google has quietly confirmed that all Pixel 11 Pro Fold models support the FeliCa contactless standard.
It also looks like all Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro models outside the US support this standard.
FeliCa is a contactless standard that’s popular in Japan for payments and transit.
NFC is a staple on most Android phones today, allowing you to easily make wireless payments. However, Japan has its own wireless payment solution dubbed FeliCa, which requires dedicated hardware in the phone. The good news is that Pixel 11 phones now offer much better support for this standard.
Google’s support page reveals (thanks, Dylan H!) that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold supports FeliCa globally. Furthermore, the page shows that Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro models outside the US also support FeliCa.
That’s great news, as Google has previously restricted FeliCa support to Pixels in Japan. This wasn’t a technical restriction, either, as Pixel phones outside the country have long had the requisite hardware. In fact, there’s even a Magisk module that unlocks FeliCa for Pixel devices outside Japan.
Either way, we’re glad that Google has implemented this capability in more Pixel phones outside Japan, as it means you don’t have to buy a new phone in the country if you want to make payments, use public transit systems via your phone, or use your device as a door key. Unfortunately, it looks like the US Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro models still lack FeliCa support, though.
FeliCa adoption might not stop here, either. An outlet reported earlier this year that international Galaxy S27 series devices will get FeliCa support as well. This bodes well for your future trip to Japan.
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