Bespoke Android App Developers: Open Mobile API (OMAPI)

Bespoke Android App Developers: Open Mobile API (OMAPI)

Android Open Mobile API (OMAPI) is an API provided by Android that allows developers to access secure elements on mobile devices. Secure elements are specialized hardware components that are designed to securely store and process sensitive information, such as payment card data or biometric information.

OMAPI provides a standardized interface for accessing secure elements, which allows developers to build applications that can securely store and process sensitive data. OMAPI is part of the Android platform and is included in all modern versions of Android.

Using OMAPI, developers can create applications that can securely store payment card data, loyalty card data, and other sensitive information. They can also use OMAPI to implement biometric authentication, such as fingerprint recognition, for secure access to the device and its applications.

OMAPI supports multiple types of secure elements, including embedded secure elements, SIM-based secure elements, and host-based secure elements. This allows developers to build applications that can work with a wide range of devices and secure element configurations.

Overall, OMAPI provides a powerful set of tools for developers who need to build applications that require secure storage and processing of sensitive data. By providing a standardized interface for accessing secure elements, OMAPI helps to ensure that applications are secure and can be easily ported between different devices and configurations.


The Android Open Mobile API (OMAPI) is a framework that allows developers to access secure elements (SE) on Android devices. Secure elements are tamper-resistant hardware components that provide a secure environment for storing sensitive information, such as payment credentials and identity information.

OMAPI provides a standardized API for interacting with secure elements, which enables developers to write applications that can access and utilize the secure element on Android devices. This includes functionality such as creating and managing secure storage areas within the secure element, generating and managing cryptographic keys, and performing secure transactions.

OMAPI is a key component of the NFC (Near Field Communication) ecosystem on Android, as it enables developers to build applications that can interact with NFC-enabled devices and tags. For example, an application could use OMAPI to securely store payment credentials in the secure element, and then use NFC to make a contactless payment at a point of sale terminal.

OMAPI is available on Android devices that support NFC and have a secure element, such as some SIM cards or embedded chips. Developers can use the Android SDK to develop applications that utilize OMAPI, and can test their applications using the Android Emulator with NFC support.

Read more about Open Mobile API (OMAPI)