Create a Pre-Authorized Payment

This guide walks you through processing a pre-authorization transaction using the Get Smart application. Pre-authorization allows you to block a specific amount on a customer’s card without immediately capturing the funds. This is typically used in hotels, car rentals, or scenarios where the final service price is pending.

Requirements

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Merchant profile with pre-authorization support - Contact Get Smart support to verify your account supports this transaction type
• Get Smart application installed and configured on the Android device
• Permission to launch external Intents in your application

Pre-authorization Transaction Process

This section guides you through the two-step process of pre-authorizing and confirming a payment with the Get Smart App2App integration. The workflow involves two distinct Intent calls: the pre-authorization to hold funds and the confirmation to capture them.

Step 1: Execute the Pre-authorization

A pre-authorization transaction blocks funds on the customer’s card without immediately capturing them. You must create an Intent with transaction type 10 to initiate the hold. The Get Smart application processes the pre-authorization and returns an order ID that you must store for later confirmation.

The table below lists the parameters you need to include in your pre-authorization Intent:

The following code example shows how to create and launch a pre-authorization Intent:

// Define request code for result handling
static final int REQUEST_CODE_PREAUTH = 2001;

// Initialize the Intent with the Get Smart action
Intent intent = new Intent("es.android.redsys.mPOS.movil.tpvAndroid_PAYMENT_REQUEST");

// Add pre-authorization parameters
intent.putExtra("amount", 100.00);
intent.putExtra("type", 10); // 10 = Pre-authorization
intent.putExtra("invoice", "PRE-AUTH-001");

// Launch the Intent
try {
    startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_CODE_PREAUTH);
} catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
    // Handle missing Get Smart application
    new AlertDialog.Builder(this)
        .setTitle("Get Smart App Not Found")
        .setMessage("Please install and configure the Get Smart application.")
        .setPositiveButton("OK", null)
        .show();
}

Step 2: Store and Confirm the Pre-authorization

When the pre-authorization is successful, the Get Smart app returns an ORDER parameter through the onActivityResult callback. You must store this order ID to confirm and capture the payment later. Pre-authorizations typically expire after 7 to 30 days depending on the card issuer, so you should confirm the capture within this timeframe.

To finalize the payment, send a confirmation request using transaction type 11 and include the original order ID. The confirmation amount can be equal to or less than the pre-authorized amount, depending on your merchant agreement configuration.

The table below lists the parameters for the confirmation Intent:

The following code example shows how to handle the pre-authorization result and later confirm the capture:

// Handle pre-authorization result
@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
    
    if (requestCode == REQUEST_CODE_PREAUTH) {
        if (resultCode == RESULT_OK && data != null) {
            // Pre-authorization successful - store the order ID
            String orderId = data.getStringExtra("ORDER");
            String authCode = data.getStringExtra("AUTHORIZATION");
            
            // Store orderId for later confirmation
            savePreAuthOrderId(orderId);
        }
    } else if (requestCode == REQUEST_CODE_CONFIRM) {
        if (resultCode == RESULT_OK && data != null) {
            // Confirmation successful
            String orderId = data.getStringExtra("ORDER");
            // Process confirmed payment
        }
    }
}

// Later, when you're ready to capture the funds
private void confirmPreAuthorization(String originalOrderId, double captureAmount) {
    static final int REQUEST_CODE_CONFIRM = 2002;
    
    Intent intent = new Intent("es.android.redsys.mPOS.movil.tpvAndroid_PAYMENT_REQUEST");
    intent.putExtra("amount", captureAmount);
    intent.putExtra("type", 11); // 11 = Pre-auth Confirmation
    intent.putExtra("original_order", originalOrderId); // Required
    
    try {
        startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_CODE_CONFIRM);
    } catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
        // Handle missing Get Smart application
    }
}

Next Steps

Now that you have successfully processed a pre-authorization transaction, you can explore more features of the Get Smart App2App integration:

• Response Parameters Reference - Complete response field specifications
• Refund a Payment - Learn how to reverse transactions
• Request Parameters Reference - Complete parameter specifications