Frequenty Asked Questions
General Questions
How does Astari work?
Once you’ve received your wearable, you can pair it via the mobile app by following a few simple steps. The app will guide you through setting up your payment card and customizing your preferences. For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit our setup page. If you need further assistance, our support team is always ready to help!
What is NFC / an NFC tag / an NFC chip?
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that allows safe, fast, and contactless data exchange between devices when they are very close to each other—usually within a few centimeters. Unlike Bluetooth, NFC has a shorter range, which makes it more secure for payments.
Astari wearables use passive NFC chips, which means they do not need a battery or emit radiation. These chips can only be read by an NFC-compatible terminal when you hold the wearable close to it. For a deeper dive into how NFC works and why it’s secure, check out our blog on NFC and RFID in passive payment wearables.
How do I make payments with an Astari payment wearable?
Making a payment is as simple as using a contactless card. Hold your Astari wearable close to the NFC-enabled payment terminal until you hear a beep or see a confirmation message. The payment will be automatically deducted from the linked card or account.
Tip: If you have multiple cards linked via the Curve app, you can choose which card to use directly from the app—even after a payment is made. For best practices, see our guide on how to pay with passive payment wearables.
Where are payments accepted?
You can use your Astari wearable anywhere that accepts contactless payments, including most stores, restaurants, and public transport.
If you link your payment cards through the Curve app, you can even make payments with credit cards in places that usually only accept debit cards. For a full list of supported locations and tips, visit our blog on how to pay with passive payment wearables.
How do I link my wearable to my payment card?
You can link your Astari wearable directly to several EU banks listed on our supported banks page or use the Curve app to connect multiple cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal (UK only).
The Curve app allows you to manage your cards, switch payments between them, and even view your transaction history—all in one place.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit our setup page.
Is my phone suitable for setting up the wearable?
The wearable is compatible with any smartphone that has NFC functionality, which include almost every modern smartphone.
The great part is that you only need your phone once for the initial setup. After that, your wearable works completely independently for payments.
For a detailed guide, check out our blog on how to connect payment to your Astari wearable.
Do I need to have my phone nearby to pay?
No, you don’t need your phone nearby to make payments. Once you’ve completed the initial setup, you can pay directly with the wearable—no phone or app required.
Simply hold your wearable close to an NFC-enabled payment terminal and enter your PIN code if prompted. Payments are processed just like a contactless card transaction, making it perfect for situations where you don’t want to carry your phone or wallet.
For more information, see our blog on how to pay with passive payment wearables.
Do I need to charge the wearable?
No, you never need to charge the wearable. Astari uses passive NFC technology, which means the wearable is powered directly by the payment terminal during transactions.
This allows you to make payments at any time, even if your phone’s battery is dead. The analog design ensures that your wearable is always ready to use without the hassle of charging cables or batteries.
To learn more about how passive NFC technology works, visit our blog on NFC and RFID in passive payment wearables.
Does the wearable expire after 3-4 years like a payment card?
No, the wearable itself does not expire. However, the payment token you link to it during setup has a lifespan of about 3 years.
When the token expires, you can simply delete it using the app and connect your payment card again. This refreshes the token, providing you with another 3-4 years of usability—completely free of charge.
This process can be repeated indefinitely, so your wearable will continue to work as long as you keep renewing the token. For more information, check out our blog on how to connect payment to your Astari wearable.
Security and Safety
Are Astari Wearables secure?
Yes, your payments are protected by the same NFC encryption technology used by leading banks worldwide. Since Astari wearables use passive NFC chips, they do not broadcast any data unless activated by an NFC reader at close range.
In addition, no personal information—such as your name or card number—is displayed during transactions, safeguarding your privacy. This makes Astari wearables a safe and reliable choice for contactless payments.
For more details on security, visit our blog on contactless payment wearables.
Can I (temporarily) block my wearable?
Yes, if your wearable is lost or stolen, you can block it immediately through the Manage Mii app or via your account settings. This prevents any unauthorized transactions from occurring.
You can use this feature to temporarily block your wearable if you think you might find it soon, or to permanently block it if you’re sure it’s lost and need to secure your funds right away. The block can be lifted at any time if you recover the wearable.
Can I track my wearable if I lose it?
No, tracking is not possible because Astari wearables use passive NFC technology, which enhances security by not emitting any signals. This prevents potential privacy risks and makes the wearable safer against scams.
However, if you lose your wearable, you can:
1. Block it immediately via the Manage Mii app to prevent unauthorized use.
2. Reorder a new one if necessary.
To learn more about how passive NFC technology works, check out our blog on NFC and RFID in passive payment wearables.
Is wearing an Astari NFC wearable harmful to my health?
No, Astari wearables use passive NFC technology, which means they do not emit any radiation or electromagnetic waves. This makes them much safer compared to other wearables like smartwatches or wireless earphones that continuously emit signals.
Because they are passive, the wearables only interact with an NFC reader at very close range and only during payments. This ensures that wearing an Astari device is completely safe for your health.
For a detailed explanation of how our NFC technology works, see our blog on NFC and RFID in passive payment wearables.
What is Curve
What is Curve and Why Do I Need It?
We have direct links with several EU banks, which you can find here.
However, if your bank is not directly integrated, you’ll need a Curve account to use your Astari wearable. Curve is a digital wallet that lets you link multiple bank cards—including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and PayPal (in the UK)—into a single card. It acts as a smart interface that allows you to manage your cards, switch payments between them, and access features like Go Back in Time to move past transactions to a different card.
If your bank is not directly integrated with Astari, you’ll need a Curve account to use your wearable. This is because Curve allows you to connect multiple cards to your Astari device effortlessly. Additionally, Curve offers extra benefitssuch as cash-back, smart rules, and foreign exchange savings, making it easier and more rewarding to use your Astari wearable.
To learn more about how Curve works with Astari wearables, check out our blog: How to use Curve with Astari.
How does Curve work?
Once you download the Curve app for iOS or Android and activate your account, you can start by adding your debit and credit cards into your digital Curve Wallet.
With the free Curve membership, you can add up to three cards. When you link your Curve card to your Astari wearable, Curve acts as an interface card for all of them, allowing you to:
• Select a default card for payments.
• Use the Go Back in Time feature to switch payments to a different card after the transaction.
• Set up Smart Rules to allocate payments automatically (e.g., groceries to Card A, travel expenses to Card B).
• Earn Curve cash-back on top of any rewards from your standard bank cards.
For a complete guide, visit our blog: How to use Curve with Astari.
Curve Terms and Conditions: For more details, visit the Curve website.
What do I set up in the Curve app?
In the Curve app, you can:
• Add or remove bank cards.
• View your Curve Cash rewards and transaction history.
• Manage your personal details and account settings.
• Access the My Money section for insights into your spending across all linked cards.
This allows you to control your spending habits and maximize the benefits of using an Astari wearable.
What if I already have a Curve card?
If you already have a Curve card, your new Astari wearable will work exactly the same way as your Curve card. You’ll have access to the same smart features, such as:
• Wallet of cards: Manage multiple cards easily.
• Go Back in Time: Switch payments between cards even after the transaction is complete.
• Smart Rules: Automatically allocate payments to specific cards based on your preferences.
Note: This does not include Samsung Pay cards provided by Curve, which are currently not compatible with Astari wearables.
What cards can I add with Curve?
You can add most of your Visa, Mastercard®, Diners Club, Discover debit and credit cards to your Curve digital wallet. It doesn’t matter if the card is virtual or physical – if Curve can support it, you shouldn’t have any problem adding it to your Curve Wallet!
Please note, your first card must be a UK or European Economic Area (EEA) issued debit or credit card. You’re welcome to add non-EEA cards once you receive and activate your Curve card - however you may be charged a fee when Set up and making transactions using these cards, you can read more about International card fees here.
How do I choose the right payment card when I link several cards?
To manage multiple cards, you can use the free Curve app. Here’s how it works:
1. Select a Default Card: Choose a default card for everyday payments.
2. Switch Cards Easily: If you want to use a different card, you can select it directly in the Curve app before making a payment. You can even switch payments to another card after the transaction using the Go Back in Time feature.
3. Set Up Smart Rules: Create automatic rules in the Curve app to direct payments to specific cards based on the amount or type of purchase. For example:
• Groceries: Card A
• Payments above 200 EUR: Card B
This flexibility ensures you have full control over your spending. For more details, visit our blog on how to use Curve with Astari wearables.
Do I get a physical Curve card as well?
Absolutely. Your physical card will be posted out to you directly in a few days, but in the meantime, you can still set up and pay with your Astari wearable. Enter the virtual card number that you will find in the Curve app after creating your account and you will be able to continue your setup process.
Can I connect a Samsung Pay Curve card?
Unfortunately, no. Samsung Pay virtual cards provided by Curve cannot be tokenized onto Astari wearables due to compatibility restrictions.
Why is this the case?
When you install the Curve app, it may default to a Samsung Pay virtual card if you’ve used Samsung Pay before. This type of card is not supported for linking with Astari wearables.
Solution:
1. Go to the account settings in the Curve app.
2. Choose the option to delete your Curve account (you may need to scroll down).
3. Confirm the deletion and restart the onboarding process.
4. This time, you’ll receive a regular Curve card that is fully compatible with your Astari wearable.
For more detailed instructions, visit our blog: How to use Curve with Astari.
Need help?
If you have any issues, feel free to reach out to us at support@astariwearables.com.
Shipping & Returns
What is the shipping time?
Free shipping in Europe!
Netherlands/Belgium: Next working day delivery - If ordered before 16:00
Rest of Europe: 2-7 business days
Rest of the world: 6-10 business days
A tracking number will be sent via email after the order has been processed.
It is a mailbox package, so you do not have to be at home for the delivery.
We offer a 30-day return or exchange policy if you are not able to set up the wearable succesfully, or are not satisfied with your order for any reason. For more information, please see our return policy here.
Can I return my product?
Yes, we offer a 30-day return policy for a full refund or exchange for another product. However, to be eligible for a return, the product and its packaging must be in original condition—this means unworn, unused, and in the original packaging with all tags and accessories included.
For more information, please see our return policy here.
I entered the wrong shipping address
Very unfortunate, but this can happen to anyone. Please contact us immediately, stating your order number and the correct address. If the order has not yet been shipped, we will solve this for you immediately. However, if the package has already been shipped, we may not be able to help. Please contact us as soon as possible.
When can I expect my refund?
We will refund the outstanding amount within 3 working days after well receiving the return. You will get a confirmation email when we initiate the refund.
Warranty
How long is the warranty on an Astari product?
All Astari products come with a minimum 2-year warranty starting from the purchase date. To ensure the reliability and durability of our wearables, each product undergoes a series of rigorous tests before reaching you. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and guarantees that your wearable will function as intended.
What is covered by the Astari warranty?
The 2-year warranty covers any manufacturing defects and ensures that your Astari product will function properly during this period. However, the warranty does not cover:
• Normal wear and tear, such as scratches or discoloration of non-metallic bracelets, watch straps, or other leather components.
• Loss or theft of the product.
• Damage caused by improper use, such as exposure to harsh chemicals or physical impacts outside of normal use.