Every time I pull out my phone to pay at a store, the cashiers assume I'll pay via UPI. While the payments infrastructure has plenty going for it, I prefer credit cards, so I use Google Pay's Tap to Pay feature. Google rolled out the feature in India all the way back in 2020, but it was limited to just two banks, and it predictably didn't gain much traction.

But Google built out the feature over the last five years, and Tap to Pay works with most major debit and credit cards issued in India. I used it with my HDFC Infinia along with Axis and ICICI cards, and it works without any issues. The best part is that because all point-of-sale machines in retail stores have UPI availability, they get NFC by default, so you can use Tap to Pay to pay with your phone at just about any retail location in India.

What is Google Pay's Tap to Pay feature?

The Tap to Pay feature uses the NFC protocol to enable contactless payments. You just add your debit or credit card to Google Pay, and your card is stored virtually. Then, when you need to make a payment, you just pull out Google Pay, go to the Tap & Pay menu, choose the card you want to pay with, and bring your phone close to the point of sale machine — it's as easy as that.

The feature is so convenient that I haven't bothered to take out my wallet to pay in over a year; Tap to Pay works everywhere, and there's no hassle involved. Enrolling a card is about as straightforward as it gets; most Visa and MasterCard network cards issued in India are eligible, and you can even add a few RuPay credit cards. With most things to do with banking in India, Amex cards can't be added to Google Pay, but that's on American Express.

What's particularly great is that there are no transaction limits; I used the feature to pay bills crossing ₹50,000 (we went a little overboard at Ikea), and in these scenarios, you'll need to enter the card PIN to authorize the transaction. Google Pay uses a tokenized system wherein it creates a virtual card number, so your real card details aren't sent over while making a payment.

How to enable Tap to Pay

It's easy enough to add your debit or credit card to Google Pay and get started with contactless transactions using Tap to Pay. This is how to get started:

1. Launch Google Pay.
2. Go to Tap & Pay.
3. Choose Add.
4. Add your card details and select Save and continue.
5. You'll need to authenticate via SMS.
6. Once that's done, your card is added to Google Pay, and you'll see it in the Tap & Pay section.

I've been using the feature for a few years now, and haven't run into any issues. It's always great to just be able to pay with my phone, and there's an instant alert that shows up when the transaction goes through.

The feature works just as reliably abroad as well, and I didn't see any issues while paying using Google Pay in the U.S., U.K., Spain, or any of the other dozen countries I've been to in the last two years (other than China, obviously). So if you still haven't set up Tap to Pay in Google Pay, now is the time to do so.

I have 14 credit cards, and it's a bit of a chore to get all the monthly statements collated and sort out the bills. I used CRED in the past to pay the bills, and while the service was good at the start, it has degraded to such a level over the last two years that I'm not comfortable sharing any data with it, so I was looking at alternatives.

That's how I landed on Google Pay. Before I get started, a quick note on how Google Pay works; in typical Google fashion, Google Pay in India is totally different to what's available in other markets, and the Indian service leverages the local Unified Payments Interface (UPI) architecture instead of being a payments service reliant on debit and credit cards like the global variant.

Google Pay makes it effortless to pay bills

Google Pay in India is fantastic, and I use it regularly to make UPI payments. I knew that the service also had billers, but it wasn't until last month that I realized it facilitated credit card payments. It was extremely easy to add most of my credit cards, and the ability to pay all my cards within Google Pay is much more convenient than logging into an individual bank's app and doing so.

If anything, Google even lets you add NBFC options like OneCard. The credit card biller utility uses Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), which has been rebranded to Bharat Connect, and it is a unified system that lets you pay just about any bills, including credit cards. What I like the most is that payments made this way get an instant confirmation and credit, so you don't have to wait a few days to see the amount credited in your card account.

How to add credit card billers to Google Pay

Honestly, it's easier than I thought it would be to add credit cards to Google Pay to link the accounts and billing statements. This is how to do it:

1. Head into Google Pay.
2. Navigate to the Bills and recharges section. Select Manage.
3. In Payment categories, choose Credit cards.
4. You will see a list of banks. Select the issuer, add the last four digits of your credit card, and choose the mobile number associated with the card.
5. You should see your credit card biller details added to Google Pay. Whenever a new bill is generated, you'll get a notification with the details, and you can pay from Google Pay.

The only quibble is that American Express still hasn't switched over to this system, so with my Amex Gold and Travel Platinum, I still have to pay manually on the Amex India website. But with all other Indian banks-issued cards, I was able to set up the billers on Google Pay and automate payments.

This feature is exactly what I was looking for, and I'm glad there's a viable alternative to CRED that's easy to use and doesn't hoover up all of my data. Google Pay also lets you add other bills — including broadband and mobile recharges — but for now, just having an easy way to pay the credit cards I use is good enough.

What you need to know

• Google's new “excessive partial wake locks” metric tracks apps keeping your CPU awake too long in the background.
• Apps that hold over 2 hours of non-exempt wake locks in 24 hours and affecting 5% of user sessions will be flagged for unwanted battery behavior.
• Starting March 1, 2026, flagged apps may get reduced visibility in Google Play and a red warning label highlighting high battery use.

Google is stepping up its fight against battery-draining apps, and the latest changes are a win for Android users who’ve been frustrated by how quickly their phones run out of juice.

The tech giant announced in a blog post that it has officially launched the “excessive partial wake locks” metric after several months of beta testing (via 9to5Google). Wake locks allow apps to keep your device’s CPU awake, even when the screen is off, to run background tasks. While some wake locks are necessary, like playing music or completing app downloads, others can silently drain your battery.

The new system is meant to pinpoint apps that hold more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24-hour period as excessive. If 5% of an app’s user sessions over the last 28 days fall into this category, the app is considered to have bad battery behavior.

For users, this means apps that were quietly draining battery in the background could soon be flagged directly in their Google Play Store listing page.

Play Store public shame

Starting March 1, 2026, apps that exceed this threshold may have reduced visibility on “prominent discovery surfaces,” such as recommendations. More importantly for users, Google will place a red warning label on app listings that reads: “This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity.”

This warning will hopefully make it clear which apps might be the culprits behind unexpected battery drain, so users can take actions like adjusting permissions, restricting background activity, or choosing alternatives.

Google developed the metric in collaboration with Samsung, combining real-world device data and insights into user experience to make the algorithm as accurate as possible.

As time goes on, users should see fewer apps keeping their Android phones awake for no reason, better performance, and less unexpected battery drain. Even before the March deadline, this new metric gives users a warning about apps with high background activity, helping them make better choices.

Hopefully, apps will be encouraged to use less background activity, and users will finally get a better look at what’s happening on their phones. If you’ve ever wondered why your battery drops overnight or when your phone is idle, help is coming soon.

What you need to know

• Google's late October Play Services update detailed new support for the Wallet app and Android 16's Live Updates.
• Soon, Android users will find their trains, flights, and events detailed in real-time in Android 16's Live Update notification on their lock screen and home screens.
• Originally, when Android 16 launched, Live Updates concerned food deliveries and ride-shares; however, users can soon make sure they reach the station and gate on time.

There's a Play Services update that Google's preparing on its servers, and it seems it's finally looking to make good on a promised update.

An update to Google's Play Services changelog was spotted by 9to5Google, which highlights its v25.41 patch, but with a focus on Google Wallet. According to the company, the updates rolling out in the newest version for the Wallet app concern Android phone users and traveling. The main highlight states users can soon expect Live Updates to bring "key travel journeys that include flights, train trips, and events."

Google also details that it's bringing an update that moves Gmail closer to Wallet for passes. The changelog states users with Android 12 or newer will soon "receive notifications" if a loyalty pass from Gmail has been imported into Wallet.

The final Wallet update regards a little ease in adding new cards. Google states, "With this update, you can add cards through supported issuer apps without entering details."

While Google Wallet is finally rolling out its updates for traveling Android users, v25.41 of Play Services isn't done, as security and developers made the cut, too.

• With this update, you can use your mobile to complete reCAPTCHA web verification
• With this update, you can now find hidden passkeys in Google Password Manager and delete them
• (Developer) New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Ads related processes in their apps.

Making it a breeze to travel efficiently

Google first detailed its real-time alerts for trains in the Wallet app back during its I/O event in May. These alerts were constant updates that users could lean on about their train rides, knowing whether or not it's delayed, on time, or otherwise. Users who've added their tickets in the Wallet app would receive such notifications. However, Google only announced the feature for users in Canada and India first.

When it comes to Live Updates, Google detailed those alerts as a whole feature for Android 16 when it launched. A Live Update notification can be viewed on your lock screen or by tapping its chip on your home screen (top left). The alert itself originally arrived with food delivery and ride-sharing information, equipped with a progress bar, too.

Now, with the latest Play Services update looping in trains, planes (and automobiles—kidding), and events, users should see similar behavior with Android 16 and Live Updates.

What you need to know

• Google announced an update for Google Pay in Chrome that upgrades its autofill shopping experience.
• Users will soon find detailed reward benefits for more credit cards when using autofill while shopping, as well as BNPL (buy now, pay later) when autofilling card info.
• Google also announced it's beginning a test for a "simple and transparent" experience for global money transfers, so users understand the exchange rate in Wallet online and Search.

Google's announcing three new ways it's improving the online shopping experience through its browser.

In a Keyword post, the company highlighted an update preparing to roll out for Google Pay for users shopping through Chrome. The first two updates for Google Pay concern the company's autofill feature for payments in Chrome. The post states that when autofilling payments, U.S. shoppers will see rewards for even more credit cards. This update extends Google's support to over 100 credit cards in the U.S.

Specifically, the company states Google Pay will "help you easily see which card can score you the best benefits" when autofilling your payment information in Chrome.

Google Pay's "buy now, pay later" option when shopping online is also available for Affirm and Zip when autofilling your card information. The company says it plans to extend this autofill capability to Klarna, Afterpay, "and more coming soon." The final payment update today (Aug 12) regards users looking to send money to friends or family in global situations.

This test aims to bring a "simple and transparent" experience for users searching for the exchange rate between countries. Users will be able to view these rates in this test via Google Wallet's online (computer) app and Search. This information will involve remittance providers such as Ria Money Transfer, Xe, and Wise. To get this done, Google states Stripe will process the transactions between users from the U.S. to India, Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Google Pay's strives for ease

Google states Stripe will handle fund processing for U.S. money transfers to India, Brazil, and the Philippines "to start." The company didn't state when we could see this expand to other countries, but this is still a test for now, so we'll have to be a little patient.

Earlier this year, Klarna announced that it was joining Google Pay's BNPL (buy now, pay later) option during checkout. The company said its payment option would be available in "select" Android apps and websites that support Google Pay. Of course, this was but another expansion Google brought after it included Affirm and Zip in 2024. Shoppers would have to select the BNPL later option when checking out online, and select their preferred third-party provider.

With this autofill feature rolling out in Chrome, shoppers should have an easier time quickly tapping through without having to fiddle with menus.

What you need to know

• Klarna announced integration with Google Pay, which will expand the latter's BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) options for purchasing items online at checkout.
• Klarna states it will be available in "select" Android apps and websites that support Google Pay's services, as its rollout begins today (June 24).
• Google Pay expanded its BNPL options in 2024 by bringing in third-party providers like Affirm and Zip.

It might've flown under your radar, but Google Pay and Klarna have paired to bring you even more flexible payment options.

Klarna announced in a press release that its integration with Google Pay is available today (June 24). The company states users should find its payment option available during checkout while shopping online on "select" Android apps and websites. Klarna's chief commercial officer, David Sykes, said, "Integrating with Google Pay marks a meaningful step in Klarna’s mission to bring flexible, transparent payments to where consumers already are."

Klarna is positioned to enhance Google Pay's available Buy Now, Pay Later choices when purchasing expensive products. The post states users will have access to Klarna's "Pay in four payments" feature. This lets you submit "four fixed payments" that are interest-free for purchases over $35.

The company adds, "Financing is available for higher ticket items with monthly repayments made over a longer period of time starting at 0% APR."

It might take a little while before Klarna shows up when purchasing items in supported apps/websites on Android with Google Pay.

More Choices, Better Shopping

Google Pay's BNPL (buy now, pay later) function saw an expansion last year, when the company introduced Affirm and Zip. With these third-party providers, consumers could pay more comfortably for items across more websites and apps. Similar to Klarna, it's worth keeping an eye on when your next installment's due date is to avoid missing it.

Google also improved the way users interact with their card information when paying. That update brought in the ability to confirm crucial card details without its security code, but instead with your fingerprint. Consumers could also opt for typing in a PIN or using facial recognition, too.

On a related note, Google Wallet's been rumored to have a seamless, NFC-based card-adding feature in the works. Some early signs suggest that all users would need to do is hold their desired card close to their device "until it vibrates." Your phone, leveraging its NFC, would grab its details and input them in their appropriate areas. This would only (seemingly) work for cards that are EMV compliant.

More importantly, this feature will leave the most critical detail to you: the card's CVV. There's also a lot more planned for NFC on phones, with the NFC Forum highlighting its ambitions to give users more things to do with a "single tap."

What you need to know

• Residents in the U.K. will get access to add their passports as a digital ID on their Google Wallets.
• This will help residents expedite their identification process, which requires them to prove their age and identity safely and securely.
• Google is partnering with Rail Delivery Group, which will offer train travellers the opportunity to use their digital ID for select Railcards.
• Additionally, Google says it's exploring opportunities with the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology to help verify users' identities for alcohol purchases and other purposes.

Google announced in a press release today (April 29) that it is expanding the Digital ID access via Google Wallet to the residents in the U.K. They are joining several states in the U.S., where residents can save their driver’s licenses and state IDs in Google Wallet.

Residents will soon be able to create digital ID passes with their U.K. passports and securely and conveniently store them in Google Wallet. This move makes it seamless for people to verify their identity just with a tap of a button on their phones, rather than pulling out their physical IDs each time.

To start, Google says it is partnering with the U.K.'s Rail Delivery Group, offering train travellers the opportunity to use their digital ID while travelling. However, it is important to note that these digital IDs are not a replacement for the original physical ones. Furthermore, U.K. residents cannot use digital IDs at airports for travel.

Additionally, Google states that it is also exploring certification with the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, which could enable residents to use their digital IDs for alcohol purchases and other purposes.

Adding your U.K. passport to Google Wallet is super easy. All you need to do is open the app, tap "Add to Wallet," pick "ID," and follow the steps. The process is likely very similar to adding a U.S. passport to Google Wallet.

The app will prompt you to take photos of both sides of your ID and record a quick selfie video for verification. In a few minutes, you’ll receive a notification that your digital ID is ready to use. Once it’s set up, you can access it just like you do other payment cards.

That said, Google is bringing an additional layer of protection when it comes to keeping data private. It has integrated a software called Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology into Google Wallet. This ensures that the website or apps you use to verify your identity cannot be traced back to you with the help of your information.

This technology works in tandem with the Google Wallet, allowing users to verify their identity and age simultaneously in apps like Bumble. Google says this is to "help foster a safer, more secure environment for everyone." The tech giant will also open-source their integration of ZKP technology to other wallets and online services in the future.

Digital IDs expands to more U.S. states

Google is expanding its digital IDs access to Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia, which will soon be able to add government-issued digital IDs to Google Wallet.

The tech giant is also expanding the eligibility of its digital IDs to other services in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico. For instance, users will be able to use their mobile IDs at the DMV for improved and streamlined customer experiences.

Residents in the above-mentioned states can use their digital ID pass, created from a U.S. passport, for domestic travel with TSA security at supported airports, even if they do not have a driver's license or state-issued ID.

Soon, users will also be able to use the digital ID to recover Amazon accounts, access online health services with CVS and MyChart by Epic, verify profiles on platforms like Uber, and more.

Lastly, Google Wallet is being expanded to 50 more countries, where users to view and use digital passes in the app and on the web, even where tap-to-pay isn't available yet.

What you need to know

• Google Wallet's latest updates include the addition of real-time train status alerts for users who've added their tickets.
• Users will receive notifications if their train is "On Time," "Delayed," and more; however, this is restricted to those in India and Canada (for now).
• Google also teased I/O 2025, stating there's more to come for Wallet and Pay during the event.
• Google I/O 2025 is slated for May 20 at 10 am PT.

Google's Wallet app is having an eventful week as the company details what's new and an important feature that'll catch your eye.

Google Wallet's developer blog posted the latest changelog this week, which includes a real-time status update addition (via 9to5Google). Currently rolling out are several status updates for trains. Google clarifies that users will only see these real-time updates if they've saved their ticket to Wallet.

More importantly, this is only arriving for users in India and Canada for Indian Railways and Via Rail, respectively.

The patch notes state users will receive alerts on their phones with information like "On Time," "Delayed," and more regarding where their train is. It seems Google Wallet will provide the time your train is expected to arrive at the station when delivering any of these real-time updates.

Additionally, adding a ticket will show the time you're expected to depart from your station and your estimated time of arrival for your destination.

More in store for Wallet

Another noteworthy addition is the ability to add Loyalty and Gift card passes to your Wallet via its homepage on the web. Essentially, this is an integration of Google's Loyalty Program. Meanwhile, parents/guardians in "select" countries can now give their child's account permission to add event tickets, generic passes, and more to Wallet. This feature for kids was originally announced in March, stating those in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Spain, and Poland will receive it first.

Lastly, the company slipped in a little teaser for its upcoming I/O 2025 event in May. Google says users can expect to "hear about all the changes" coming to Wallet and Pay from May 21 to May 22.

Google's I/O conference is expected to start on May 20 this year at 10 am PT. We're expecting quite a bit, such as Android 16, Android XR, Wear OS 6, and maybe even teasers for next-gen Pixel products. Live Updates are a key aspect expected to arrive in Android 16 this year, which, according to Google, will roll out much earlier in Q2 2025. That release window seems within reach as Android 16 achieved a major milestone: Platform Stability.

In short, this means developers are given one final chance to clean up their apps to avoid any conflicts when the upgrade is released. Android 16 Beta also showcased Google's work to improve the accessibility side of its software, as it includes Auracast support for hearing aids.

What you need to know

• Google and the Transport of London (Tfl) have joined forces to bring the "Tube Challenge" to travelers in the city.
• Users on Android paying for their train ride via Google Pay can collect digital badges, learn station history, and earn raffle entries for a biking pass or Google Pixel 9.
• The event runs from March 31 to April 30, and users are eligible to engage in the challenge when paying at all 272 Tube stations, including the 41 Elizabeth line stations.

Google is highlighting a new challenge for users in London looking to take the tube throughout April.

Transport for London (Tfl) and Google Pay have joined together to bring the "Tube Challenge" to London. According to a press release, the event runs from March 31 through April 30. The company says users are eligible to win prizes and badges when using Google Pay for Android specifically. In a subsequent blog post, the Tfl explains how users can get started this month.

Getting Started

The post states users in London will have a chance to join the challenge from within Google Wallet. The Tfl encourages you to attach your Visa or Mastercard to the app "and start tapping in and out with Google Pay on your adventures."

These digital badges you're playing for will be collected as you tap to pay at various Tube stations. Google says travelers can collect these badges from all 272 Tube stations, including the 41 Elizabeth line stations. Alongside these badges are some fun facts about every station you may visit.

That's not all; as Google states train riders engaging with Google Pay for the Tube challenge are also entered into a weekly competition to win Santander Cycles Day Passes. However, during the final week, users tapping in and out of London stations will be eligible to win a Google Pixel 9. Remember: you earn an entry into these two raffles every day you take the Tube and engage with Google Pay.

In a statement, the customer director at the Tfl, Emma Strain, said, "We are excited to partner with Google Pay on their ‘Tube Challenge’ within Google Wallet. This innovative challenge offers customers a fun and engaging way to explore the Tube and Elizabeth line network, collect digital station badges, and learn facts about the places they are travelling to across London."

It's worth remembering that the Google Pay app — on its own — is no more, as the company shuttered it and packed it into Google Wallet. The app was officially shuttered as of June 4, 2024. The idea of paying via Google Pay still exists as its core functions are within Google Wallet. Additionally, places will still say they accept payment via the method, so it's not gone; it's just been moved.

To get people ready, Google brought support for a host of banks to its Wallet app early last year. Many of them were small banks, but the idea was likely to include as many of its users as possible to make the transition smooth. Since then, the company (in the U.S.) has moved to bring digital ID support for state IDs.

California joined the movement, as well as Arizona, Georgia, and a few others.

What you need to know

• The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently finalized a rule that would place Google's payment services under federal supervision.
• While supervision doesn't mean a particular company has engaged in wrongdoing, it does identify that it poses "risks to consumers."
• Google is claiming that the basis for supervision, complaints regarding Google Pay, shouldn't stand since the service was shuttered in the US, and is no longer available.

The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau aims to supervise non-bank payment apps, mostly hosted by big tech companies, with a finalized rule set to take effect next month. Corporations that handle more than 50 million transactions per year will be subject to supervision, including the likes of Apple, Google, and Amazon. But one company, Google, is trying to block the move with a lawsuit filed last week, according to TechCrunch.

The CFPB is targeting non-bank companies that host wallet apps and digital payment services because the body wants these corporations to follow the same rules, and supervisory examinations, as banks and credit unions. The Bureau claims it "always had enforcement authority over these companies." Now, the official rule gives it the explicit authority to conduct proactive examinations of these non-bank companies hosting such services.

Reuters reports that the CFPB took nearly 300 customer complaints into consideration when it determined Google's payment services posed "risks to consumers." It's important to note, however, that this does not mean the company has engaged in wrongdoing. Google Payment Corp., a subsidiary, failed to investigate customer complaints regarding errors and other violations, according to the CFPB.

Google Payment Corp., meanwhile, is suing on the basis that the CFPB's designation relied on "a small number of unsubstantiated complaints" about Google Pay, which is no longer offered in the US, per Reuters. "As a matter of common sense, a product that no longer exists is incapable of posing such risk," the company wrote in the filing.

Google Pay was discontinued in the US in June, and Google no longer offers peer-to-peer payment services in the country. However, some Google Pay offerings — such as contactless digital payments at retailers — are now available as part of the Google Wallet app. Even though Google Pay is discontinued, the CFPB's rule says it requires oversight.

"Even when firms choose to discontinue offering payments to other consumers, or have not yet enabled that capability in the United States," the rule explains, "their general-use digital payment applications still comprise part of the overall market described in the Final Rule, which includes but is not limited to digitally facilitating consumer payment transactions for purchases."

The rule was published in the Federal Register today, and will take effect on Jan. 9, 2025.

"This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court," a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch.

As Google's lawsuit begins, there are a number of questions whether the CFPB's plan to supervise non-bank digital payment services will continue when President-elect Donald Trump's administration takes over next year. Under President Biden, the CFPB aggressively sought to make new rules, and this effort has reportedly continued even after Trump's election victory in November.

What you need to know

• Google Pay now lets you see your credit card benefits directly in the checkout process on Chrome, helping you choose the best card based on perks like cash back or travel points.
• The service is also broadening its BNPL options with Affirm and Zip, allowing you to pay in installments on more websites.
• Instead of typing in security codes, Chrome and Android users can confirm their card details using biometric methods like fingerprints or facial recognition.

Google Pay has rolled out a bunch of new features, like viewing card benefits at checkout, using "buy now, pay later" options on more websites, and securing card details with biometrics or a PIN instead of security codes.

Google mentioned in a blog post that it's easy to forget which credit card to use since different cards offer different perks. Some might give you benefits for travel, while others are better for dining or cash back.

Now, when you pick a payment method in Chrome on your desktop, a drop-down menu will pop up. It lists your cards and now includes a handy description of benefits, such as the cash back percentage or point multipliers for specific categories like travel.

When you check out, a card might show perks like "1.5% cash back on purchases" or "3x points on flights." For the time being, this feature is only available for American Express and Capital One cards and works exclusively on the Chrome desktop browser.

Additionally, Google Pay is extending its buy now, pay later (BNPL) feature to more websites. You can select a third-party provider like Affirm or Zip to split your payment into installments. But be cautious—missing payments can lead to collection actions or damage your credit score.

Lastly, Google is simplifying the process of confirming your card without needing the security code. Now, Chrome and Android users can verify their card details using the same method they use to unlock their Android phones—be it a fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock PIN. Users can also set up an option that requires them to unlock their device before their card details are displayed.

These updates aim to improve how consumers use Google Pay, making it a more appealing choice compared to other payment methods, like those built into retailers' systems.

Ever heard of an RFID blocker? If you're interested in wallet cases for your phone or even wallets in general, you might have heard the term. A lot of wallets and wallet accessories, such as MagSafe wallet add-ons, boast RFID-blocking as a feature. What is this feature, and why is it important anyway? I'm here to shed some light on this matter.

Contactless payments weren't as widespread a couple of years ago, but they're all the rage right now. NFC-based services like "Tap to Pay" and the marriage of Google Wallet with Google Pay have ushered in a new era where we feel comfortable storing our credit cards, debit cards, IDs, and even driving licenses digitally. Our overall trust in such payment methods has increased. Even modern debit and credit cards that use "Tap to Pay" rely on NFC to work.

Unbeknownst to most people, however, this system has a glaring security flaw. Although many security mechanisms protect personal and financial details when you depend on contactless payment mechanisms, these NFC-based systems are still unable to prevent certain activities.

Don't worry; I'm not going to bore you with technical details that you don't understand anyway. The problem is extremely simple, to the point that it's ridiculous.

Understanding contactless payments

Let's start by breaking down how NFC-based payments are made. You use your phone's or smartwatch's Google Wallet or e-wallet by enabling NFC and adding your supported credit or debit cards to it. Most banks in the world require you to set up limits for contactless digital transactions. Select transactions over a certain limit may require additional authentication, such as a PIN, a one-time password (OTP), or biometric verification.

However, for contactless digital transactions within the bank's specified limits, your device does not usually need additional authentication after initial setup and verification. After all, this is what makes it a convenient payment method on the go. You tap your device or "Tap to Pay"-enabled card to make a payment, and then you're off on your way.

The problem with relying on NFC is that it activates as soon as it detects a compatible payment device nearby. Your Android phone, wearable, or card automatically makes a payment when it detects a compatible machine nearby, usually if the phone has been unlocked within a few minutes of the purchase. As long as your device's NFC is enabled, this will happen automatically. It gets worse with your cards because those don't have the option to disable NFC.

You could place your wallet or phone near a contactless payment card machine, and it could automatically make a payment, even if you didn't intend to use it. Now, this might sound silly, but there are actual reports of people facing this issue.

For example, a user called Aram Dermenjian 2298 took to the Google Wallet support page to address this issue in January 2023. The user complained that their Google Wallet made a payment without their consent because of the unlocked phone's close proximity to the payment machine.

Aram Dermenjian 2298 had no intention of paying for their purchase with their Google Wallet's primary card as it was a business expense. However, because of the nature of NFC payments, the payment automatically went out because their phone detected the payment machine and initiated the transaction.

I am not a fintech professional by any means, but this non-consensual transaction sent alarm bells ringing through my head. There are so many unfortunate scenarios where this flaw could be taken advantage of. The worst part is that the only real solution to this is to disable your NFC when your wallet isn't in use or to add more passwords and locks for additional verification, which kills the convenience of the system itself.

This is where RFID blockers come in

While you can add a ton of extra preventive measures to your phone or wearable to stop this from happening, things aren't as easy with your credit or debit cards. This is where RFID and NFC-blocking wallets come into play.

The best way to block NFC or RFID signals is by placing an aluminum plate on top of your cards or on the back of your phone. This can be done with the help of an RFID-blocking wallet or wallet case for your phone. Fortunately, these can be found a dime a dozen. It is a pretty simple and easy idea that reduces the number of things you need to carry. Most importantly, however, this solution prevents unfavorable scenarios from happening, such as unintentional payouts from your e-wallet or bank cards.

You can find an RFID-blocking wallet or wallet case at affordable pricing from most retailers. If you're using a flagship phone like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, recommend the Scooch Wingmate as it's a wallet case with an RFID-blocking metal plate baked in.

If you don't want to buy an accessory, even some aluminum foil will do the trick. Now that you're aware of this situation, be sure to take the necessary precautions.

Google Wallet is the default payment, ID, and transit pass app for most Android phones, supplanting Google Pay. The term "Google Pay" still exists for making contactless NFC payments in stores, but you use the Google Wallet app for those transactions.

Now that the Google Pay app is shutting down later this year, you're probably curious which Pay features will transfer over to Wallet. You may also have heard that Google Wallet supports features like driver's licenses, tickets, and medical info, and you may want to know how to access these.

Our in-depth Google Wallet guide will break down its history, list of key features, recent news and updates, and everything else you need to know!

Google Wallet, summarized

The original Google Wallet launched in 2011 as a Nexus phone exclusive for contactless credit card payments at specific locations. A lack of NFC-enabled phones, insufficient retail partnerships, and little consumer interest sunk the initiative.

Android Pay took Wallet's place in 2015 as a payment system with much more business support and infrastructure, while Wallet scaled down into a peer-to-peer payment system. 

By 2018, both services had consolidated into the Google Pay brand, a single app for both tap-to-pay and sending money to friends, and Google Wallet ceased to be. Over time, Google Pay added boarding passes, event confirmations, transit balances, and other tools that weren't strictly "payments."

Google's love of renaming services for a marketing boost came full circle in July 2022, when it rebranded its payment service to Google Wallet once again. Google Pay persisted as a peer-to-peer payment app with its wallet-like features removed, but it will shut down on June 4, 2024.

Google Wallet will continue to support "Google Pay" payments in stores worldwide. It won't enable P2P payments like the original Pay app, however, and your current Google Pay balance will only be transferrable through the website once the Pay mobile app shuts down.

Google Wallet supports a variety of banks and credit cards across over 80 countries. It also supports a variety of other passes, IDs, and stored information that we'll break down in the next section.

Generally speaking, Google Wallet pulls information from other Google apps on Android phones. So, for example, if you receive an email on Gmail with a delayed flight time, it'll notify you and change the stored boarding pass information.

What can you store in Google Wallet?

First and foremost, you can deposit credit and debit cards in Google Wallet. Most banks and cards are compatible, and Google has added dozens of new banks in 2024 to fill out the list before Google Pay's shutdown. You can ensure your bank is included by checking the list of supported contactless payments sorted by country.

As a sidenote, we have a guide on how to lock down your Google Wallet cards if your phone is stolen, so that the thief can't use tap-to-pay with those stored cards.

You can add your loyalty or membership cards, then tap your phone or watch to apply discounts or balances, or even pay directly for items. Check if your loyalty card is eligible by tapping Add to Wallet > Loyalty card and entering the program name.

Plus, you can keep your boarding passes and event tickets in Google Wallet, so entering a plane or stadium is as simple as pulling them up and tapping your phone. In March 2024, Google updated Wallet so that Gmail confirmation emails automatically export passes to Wallet, saving you the trouble.

Google Wallet also hosts transit cards and parking passes, though once again, there is no guarantee that your local public transit or parking system will support Google Wallet without checking. Currently, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Toronto are the only cities to support Google Wallet transit passes or payments.

You may add COVID-19 vaccine passports or other medical info to Google Wallet as well.

Other Google Wallet functions include digital car keys, corporate office passes, and hotel keys. Digital car keys require a relatively recent phone running Android 12 or later, and not all cars will support them. As for corporate badges, only 10 countries support corporate passes today, and your employer must buy into the program.

Google's biggest challenge, however, will be to enable digital driver's licenses or student IDs. Certain American states have begun to support digital IDs, but it's extremely limited at the moment.

Can I store my driver's license in Google Wallet?

During Google I/O 2022, VP of Product Management Sameer Samat announced on stage that "we're working with states here in the U.S. and governments around the world to bring digital IDs to wallet later this year, starting with driver's licenses."

That statement turned out to be a bit optimistic: The ID program did launch in Maryland by the end of 2022, but Google took until October 2023 to add digital ID support for Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia residents.

Dong Min Kim, Google's director of product management for Google Wallet, did promise in January that "Digital ID will be a cornerstone for us in the next year" and that more states' IDs will come to Wallet in the coming months. But we've yet to hear anything since, and there are regulatory hurdles to making this happen.

To add a driver's license to Google Wallet, you'll need an Android phone (version 8 or higher) with Bluetooth and Nearby Devices active and a screen lock protecting it.

With all of those prerequisites fulfilled, you can simply open the Wallet app and tap Add to Wallet > ID card. You'll then have to take photos of the front and back of your ID, then record a short video of yourself to submit for verification. At that point, you should be able to use your ID in lieu of a physical card at participating airports.

As for adding a student ID to Google Wallet, we have a guide for that as well, but it will once again depend on whether or not your school supports the feature.

Google Wallet: Banks

We can't possibly include the full list of Google Wallet banks here, so we'll link you to this Google Support page that has a dropdown menu linking to each country's list of banks.

Just for the United States alone, the list of "other participating banks" appears to have thousands of options. Once you've selected a bank in Google Wallet, you'll most likely need to log into the bank's website, or enter a PIN or authorization code.

You can also choose to make Paypal a payment method in Google Wallet, though only in the United States and Germany.

Which countries support Google Wallet?

Currently, Google Wallet has replaced Google Pay in the following 80 countries, listed below:

• Albania
• American Samoa
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Greenland
• Guam
• Guernsey
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Norway
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Romania
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Vietnam

Google Wallet vs. competing payment apps

Android users, specifically Samsung phone owners, have two main choices for their payment app: Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet. The latter launched around the same time as Google Wallet, combining Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass into one service. Sound familiar?

Like Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet collects your digital payment cards, boarding passes, vaccination cards, and digital car keys, with the eventual goal of adding IDs and licenses.

Unlike Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet stores passwords, a remnant of the feature on Samsung Pass. Plus, anyone invested in crypto can "monitor their digital asset portfolio by checking the value of their cryptocurrencies across various exchanges" within Wallet.

Samsung Wallet is available now, but only on Samsung phones via the Galaxy Store — whereas Google Wallet is available on all Android phones via the Play Store — and only 21 countries, well short of Google's list.

Looking beyond the Android phone ecosystem, we also have a general guide on how the five main payment systems — Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Meta Pay, and Amazon Pay — compare to one another. 

To briefly summarize, Google and Apple have the most robust features and widespread presence for both mobile and web payments. Amazon Pay is more limited but takes very little setup if you have a Prime account, while Meta Pay is most useful for frequent Facebook Marketplace users.

What's new with Google Wallet?

The biggest recent change to Google Wallet was a photo function, which lets you take a photo of a physical pass and have that data auto-transcribed into Wallet, rather than making you type it out yourself.

Google Wallet added support for Apple Wallet files in early 2024, though the rollout is still ongoing. People have noticed glitches, since ".pkpass" file expect you to be using an iPhone, but those glitches should be fixed over time.

Another controversy arose when Google Wallet began requiring you to verify your identity before making contactless payments in certain countries. While some countries already required this, others let you make payments indefinitely so long as they weren't above a certain threshold.

Google later created "Verification Settings" for Wallet, letting you decide in advance whether to require authentication before certain actions, such as using Wallet as a transit pass.

In late 2023, there was a Google Wallet vulnerability that exposed credit card information via a standard NFC reader. This glitch was eventually fixed.

Which smartwatches support Google Wallet?

The list of smartwatches that support Google Pay is exceedingly long. Basically, any Wear OS watch is going to support the feature, since it's a Google operating system. Even the latest Galaxy Watches let you choose between Google Pay and Samsung Pay, now that Google and Samsung have partnered for Wear OS 3.

In terms of the latest devices to add Google Wallet, both the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 have Wallet support thanks to Google's Fitbit acquisition. And of course, Google's own Pixel Watch will be the first to receive any new Wallet features and updates.

What you need to know

• Google added support for 30 U.S. banks to the Google Wallet app in March, bringing the total number of supported banks to over 5,000.
• The move follows roughly a hundred new banks that were added to Google Wallet in December and January.
• Google's growing base of supported banks in Google Wallet comes as the company plans for a Google Pay shutdown in the U.S.

Google Wallet is getting bolstered with new features each month as it becomes Google's primary digital banking and wallet app on Android. The company previously announced that Google Pay will officially be shut down on June 4, 2024, at least in the U.S. Ahead of the forced transition, Google is making sure as many banks are supported in Google Wallet as possible. In March, that meant adding 30 new banks to the Google Wallet app in the U.S. 

Google has made steady progress adding supported banks to the Google Wallet app in the U.S. It brought 42 new banking institutions on board in January, and 44 banks joined in December 2023. Now, as documented on a Google support page and first discovered by Android Police, there are 30 more newcomers in the Google Wallet app. 

Below is the full list of banks added to the Google Wallet app this month, including financial institutions from 14 different U.S. states. People who use these banks can now add digital bank cards to the Google Wallet app for Android. 

• AtoB 
• Bank of Odessa (MO) 
• Beach Cities Commercial Bank (CA) 
• BFG Federal Credit Union (OH) 
• Chillicothe State Bank (MO) 
• Citizens Bank of Eldon (MO) 
• Coastlife Credit Union (TX) 
• Community Bank of Oelwein (IA) 
• CorePlus Federal Credit Union (CT) 
• First Farmers & Merchants Bank (Cannon Falls, MN) 
• First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (Fairmont, MN) 
• First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (Luverne, MN) 
• First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (MN) 
• First Farmers & Merchants State Bank (Brownsdale, MN) 
• First Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Grand Meadow (MN) 
• First National Bank of Le Center (MN) 
• First State Bank (OH) 
• Fortress Bank (IA) 
• Lusitania Savings Bank (NJ) 
• One Detroit Credit Union (MI) 
• Pacific Postal Credit Union (CA) 
• Pay by Extend 
• Ravalli County Federal Credit Union (MT) 
• Sidney State Bank (MI) 
• Sixth Avenue Baptist Federal Credit Union (AL) 
• SubZero / Avaya 
• The Bank of Star Valley (WY) 
• Waterfall Bank (FL) 
• Windward Bank 
• Xformative Payment Systems (NY)

You'll notice immediately that many of these banks are smaller, and you might not have even heard of them before. In fact, six First Farmers & Merchants branches are included in the total of 30 new banks added to Google Wallet in March. That's partly because nearly all of the major U.S. banks are already supported by Google Wallet. In total, more than 5,000 banks in the U.S. work with Google Wallet. 

Still, it's important for Google to continue working with smaller, local banks to get them into the Google Wallet. Not everyone uses a major bank, so getting these niche institutions onboard is key to making the Google Wallet ubiquitous among Android users. 

Beyond bank cards, Google is actively adding support for new features in the Google Wallet app. It previously announced plans to add more supported U.S. state IDs this year. More recently, Google made it possible to use Apple Wallet passes in the Google Wallet app.

What you need to know

• Google has added support for nearly 100 new banks in the Google Wallet app over the last two months.
• The latest round of additions saw 42 banks join the Google Wallet app in January 2024.
• The added support comes ahead of Google's planned shutdown of the Google Pay app, which will occur June 4, 2024.

Google has been steadily making improvements to the Google Wallet app, adding support for new features and new ways to pay. The company has been consistent in its position that Google Wallet is the future and Google Pay is the past. To that end, it announced that Google Pay will officially shutter on June 4, 2024, in the U.S. Ahead of that shutdown, Google is adding more supported banks to the Google Wallet app.

The full list of supported banks can be found in a Google support document, and it includes 42 new institutions. Android Police first spotted the additions, which include the following banks:

• Abilene Teachers Federal Credit Union 
• Austin County State Bank (TX) 
• Bank of Monticello (MO) 
• Bison State Bank (MO) 
• Boost Your Score 
• Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union 
• Century Next Bank (LA) 
• Citizens First Bank (WI) 
• Community National Bank in Monmouth (IL) 
• Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union (ID) 
• County-City Credit Union (WI) 
• Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union (IN) 
• First National Bank of Manchester (FNBM) (KY) 
• First State Bank of LeCenter (MN) 
• Forest Area Federal Credit Union (MI) 
• Granite Preferred 
• Highway Crossroads Credit Union (MO) 
• Hope Federal Credit Union (WV) 
• KS Bank, Inc (NC) 
• Lake Region Bank (MN) 
• Liberty Bank NA (CA) 
• LincOne Federal Credit Union 
• Lion's Share Federal Credit Union (NC) 
• Monroe County Teachers Federal Credit Union (FL) 
• Netevia 
• PAHO/WHO FCU (DC) 
• Pheple Federal Credit Union 
• Planters Bank, Inc 
• Racine Municipal Employees Credit Union (WI) 
• Rave Financial Credit Union 
• River Region Credit Union (MO) 
• SPC Credit Union 
• Star of Texas Credit Union (TX) 
• Telhio Credit Union (OH) 
• Ten Credit Union 
• Tongass Federal Credit Union 
• Thumb Bank & Trust (MI) 
• Today card 
• TrailNorth Federal Credit Union 
• Valley Bank of Commerce (NM) 
• Washington State Bank (LA) 
• West Alabama Bank & Trust (AL) 

These are all relatively small banks, so you might not recognize them. Nearly all of the major players in the banking industry already support Google Wallet, but it's a good thing that Google continues to add more institutions. Not everyone uses big banks, and support for smaller ones in Google Wallet allows those people to access critical features like contactless payments.

The 42 newcomers in the Google Wallet app as of January join the 44 banks that were added the month prior. Google has added support for a total of 86 banks over the last two months, plus some high-profile services. Namely, Venmo is now supported in the Google Wallet app as of December 2023. 

However, Google's recent feature additions to Google Wallet — such as supporting more banks — won't outright replace Google Pay. When the app is discontinued later this year, Google's official peer-to-peer payment system will go with it. Additionally, some Google Pay features will be relegated to a web client, like transferring a cash balance. 

Although there were definitely some benefits to Google Pay, the Google Wallet app is the more versatile choice. Aside from bank cards and payment methods, Google Wallet can hold things like passes or digital IDs. Plus, as is shown by the 42 new banks that were added last month, Google Wallet is the one that Google is actively improving.

What you need to know

• Google announces that it will shutdown its U.S.-based "Google Pay" app on June 4, 2024.
• Users will lose the ability to view shopping deals in the app while also being unable to send, request, or receive money from friends through the P2P method.
• Google is pushing users to utilize Wallet after the June 4 closure, which is a strategy it did in 2022 with load of other countries.

Google is informing users that its standalone "Google Pay" app will be discontinued starting June 4, 2024.

According to its Keyword post, the company adds that the app will disappear for all U.S.-based users. While this could be alarming, users will still be able to use Pay's notable features like tap to pay in stores and management tools directly through Google Wallet. The company states the process of using the Pay to purchase items will remain the same. However, there will be some changes to this service.

From now until June 4, users can continue to use Google Pay to "view and transfer" their balance on the app to their bank account. However, once the date passes, users will still have the ability to transfer money into their account, but only through the website.

Google Pay's end will bring its P2P (peer-to-peer) payment option to a close, as well. The post states users will no longer be able to send, request, or receive money from others in the U.S. Google Pay app version.

Lastly, finding deals was straightforward in the Pay app since it featured the "Trending Deals" segment. While users are losing out on this handy feature with the app's closure, Google urges them to use Search as an alternative by typing "shop deals."

Google Pay's end marks the company's push to encourage users to use Google Wallet instead. It reiterates Wallet's ability to store your cards, transit cards, driver's licenses, state IDs, and more in one unified place.

Meanwhile, Google took a similar approach, removing the Pay app in favor of Wallet back in 2022 for users in other regions.  Google Pay was kicked out to make room for Wallet in every country that supported it aside from Singapore and the United States. Recently, Google announced it will begin supporting more digital IDs for people in more states. The company's product manager stated, "Digital ID will be a cornerstone for us in the next year."

While you can use Google Wallet and Google Pay from your smartphone, using a smartwatch can be a more convenient way to pay for your morning coffee. Any Wear OS watch is capable of doing so, and models such as the latest Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, or OnePlus Watch are recommended as the smartwatches you should buy if you want to perform mobile payments from your wrist.

From buying your morning coffee or post-run smoothie to tapping to hop on the subway or train, these smartwatches support NFC for contactless payments. You don't even need to have an LTE cellular plan for the watch. As long as your phone is nearby and connected to the watch, paying with a flip of the wrist and a tap is easy, peasy.

There are a few steps first to set it up. Load your payment cards into the wallet app, including both credit and/or debit cards. When you're ready to pay, call up the card in the app right from the watch screen just like you would the wallet app on your phone (or even a physical contactless card) and it will instantly scan. That's it!

With so many shops now accepting contactless payments, you'd be hard-pressed to find somewhere you can't pay from your smartwatch for smaller dollar purchases. It's a great and convenience feature to have alongside all the other goodies that come with a smartwatch, like tracking your activity, health, and wellness, receiving notifications, and more.

Here, we have rounded up the best smartwatches with Google Wallet support. We've tested and reviewed each one, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

At a glance

Best overall

While the latest Galaxy Watch 7 will look familiar to owners of previous generations, improved hardware under the lens, including upgraded sensors, makes it a strong upgrade. This phone is powered by the Exynos W1000 SoC from Samsung with 2GB of RAM in tow. With 32GB of onboard storage, the watch almost looks like a phone from the spec sheet.

You can get the Galaxy Watch 7 in two sizes: 40mm and 46mm. The larger watch is a bit heavier at 33.8g and has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with a 425mAh battery. The smaller watch comes in at 28.8g with a 1.3-inch display and a 300mAh battery. Both sizes get the same array of sensors and features, so you’re not giving up functionality no matter which size you choose. They both come with all of the expected water and dust resistance ratings with 5ATM, IP68, and MIL-STD-810H. You can get the watch with Wi-Fi only, or with 4G LTE support.

This watch runs One UI Watch 6 on top of Wear OS 5, so Samsung Pay is the default for tap to pay, but you can quickly download and enable Google Wallet for payments. The battery life is strong, but as our Galaxy Watch 7 review points out, upgrades to the heart rate sensor remove the ability to use reverse charging with your Galaxy phone. Still, the overall improvements make it a great choice for someone looking to upgrade from an older model, but Galaxy Watch 6 owners may be underwhelmed by the fairly minor changes.

Best from Google

The Pixel Watch 3 is an improvement in almost every way over the Pixel Watch, with even improvements over the Pixel Watch 2. Despite looking almost identical on paper to the Pixel Watch 2, the seemingly minor modifications make a difference. Among these is the display that's not only brighter but also larger, especially with the now larger size option. It's also upgraded to Bluetooth 5.3, has Wi-Fi 5GHz for faster downloads, and improved battery life.

There are also cool new apps like Morning Brief, Google TV remote controls, offline Google Maps, and more. If you opt for the LTE version which would allow you to pay for items from your wrist even without your phone, it comes with two years of complimentary data, which is an added bonus.

One thing that's not great about the Pixel Watch is the use of a proprietary wireless charger. We would have preferred that it used a universal standard like Qi for wireless charging. Nevertheless, battery life is solid on this watch and the total package is still quite strong. Our review names it it Google's "strongest wearable entry yet."

Best value

If you're looking to try out a smartwatch without spending a ton of money, the TicWatch E3 from Mobvoi is still a strong option. While this watch is a couple of years old, it has been updated with Wear OS making it more useful than ever. Since it's equipped with NFC, you can use it for payment with Google Wallet. The battery is fairly large at 380mAh and with the Snapdragon 4100 CPU and 1GB of RAM under the screen, you should get over a day of battery life with strong performance.

When it comes to hardware, this watch is still quite capable with workout and sleep tracking. The watch is IP65 rated so there's nothing to worry about if you get it wet, or want to wear it while exercising in the pool. Unfortunately, it only comes in one size so it may not feel like a perfect fit.

Best last gen

The Google Pixel Watch 2 continues what was started with the first Pixel Watch with an updated design, faster hardware, and numerous other refinements found in our Pixel Watch 2 review despite looking a lot like the older model. This is one of the best last-gen Wear OS smartwatches you can buy with strong health tracking features and integration with the Fitbit app.

Speaking of software, this watch makes good use of the Fitbit app with quick access to your health tracking information. That being said, Fitbit Premium requires a subscription, so to get the most out of this watch you'll need to sign up. It would have also been nice to see multiple sizes, but the Google Pixel Watch 2 is still one of the best Android smartwatches you can get with Google Wallet payment support.

Best battery life

The OnePlus Watch 2 is a unique Wear OS watch in that it runs two operating systems with two chipsets. RTOS sips battery life to help the watch achieve up to 100 hours of run time for basic functions. This works in tandem with Wear OS, but fails to fully deliver on its best-of-both-worlds-promise as we discovered in our OnePlus Watch 2 review. Despite this, the watch still works well, even if we'd have liked to see more use from the crown button.

The watch is well-made with premium materials like stainless steel giving it a nice look and feel. You can get it in matte black or silver and shiny with a band to match. The screen is fairly large at 1.43 inches and looks great with a 60Hz refresh rate. Overall, this is a solid watch with a few unfortunate compromises. But with a nice build quality, long-lasting battery, and Google Wallet, it's still a good pick.

Best premium

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is ultra in both size and price with a $650 price tag. But with a durable design, excellent hardware features, and Samsung’s strong software and updates, this watch is still a strong premium pick. In terms of internal hardware, it’s not too different from the Galaxy Watch 7 with an Exynos W1000 with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The display, though a similar 1.5-inch AMOLED panel, can deliver up to 3,000 nits of brightness so you can see it clearly while you’re outdoors in the sun.

The watch only comes with a 47mm case, which is rather large and heavy, but given its hardware credentials, many people won’t be bothered by the hefty 60.5g weight or 12.1mm of thickness. The 590mAh is also a big upgrade over the Galaxy Watch 7. As you would expect, it’s water and dust-resistant with 10ATM, IP68, and MIL-STD-810H rating, making it an ultra-durable option. It’s also made of durable titanium.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs One UI Watch 6 on top of Wear OS 5. You can use Google Wallet by downloading the app and setting your default payment method to Google Wallet. According to our Galaxy Watch Ultra review, this watch is great for workouts with improved fitness tracking that matches the best trackers available. If you want a tough watch for workouts or outdoors, the Galaxy Watch Ultra could be a great choice if you don’t mind the price.

Best health tracking

The Fitbit Sense 2 feels more like a fitness tracker that grew up into a smartwatch rather than a smartwatch with health features tacked on. It has excellent battery life with up to six days on a charge. We saw up to four days with tracking enabled in our Fitbit Sense 2 review. As expected, this watch connects with the excellent Fitbit app for tracking and come with all of the sensors needed to keep track of your health.

While it didn't launch with it, Google Wallet and Google Assistant have been added to the watch with an update. What people may not love as much is that only one size is available and some functionality is limited out of the box like the ability to download or stream music from the watch.

Best fitness battery life

Our TicWatch Pro 5 review describes this watch as a Pixel Watch with a larger screen, which makes is a great choice for those who tried the Pixel Watch but found its single size offering to be a bit too small. Even so, this watch has so many excellent features on its own starting with a powerful Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 CPU 2GB of RAM for excellent performance.

The TicWatch Pro 5 has a 628mAh battery that's around twice the size of the battery in the Pixel Watch 2. With TicWatch's clever Essential Mode, you can keep the watch useful even when power gets low. With Wear Os and Google Wallet, this is an excellent watch if you can put up with its large size and hefty 44.35 gram weight.

If you don't quite like the look of the TicWatch Pro 5, you might be interested in the newer TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro model that features a few cosmetic updates as well as the move from Gorilla Glass to Sapphire Crystal over the display.

Best battery value

While the OnePlus Watch 2 employs an attractive and durable design, it’s a bit too much for some. The OnePlus Watch 2R, on the other hand, keeps most of what makes the pricier watch great while trimming the extra bulk and weight to bring the price down.

The OnePlus Watch 2R is a fairly quick smartwatch with a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage for Wear OS. It also has 4GB of storage for RTOS, a lower-powered system that handles basic functions like notifications. It has a 1.43-inch AMOLED panel with up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, so it should be readable outdoors.

This watch has a 46mm case made from aluminum alloy with Gorilla Glass protecting the display. It’s 13.65mm thick and has a 500mAh battery that gives it generally excellent battery life. Besides that, it even charges quickly with 100% possible in just an hour. The watch is also dust and water-resistant with a 5ATM and IP68 rating, but won’t stand up to abuse as well as some of the other watches on this list with no MIL-STD-810H rating.

As far as software, it’s a similar story to the OnePlus Watch 2 with Wear OS and RTOS available. Importantly, OnePlus has included NFC on this watch, so payment using Google Wallet is available. While this watch isn’t the best choice for fitness and doesn’t have the flashiest design, it’s still a strong pick with a reasonably low price for what you get.

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How to choose

Pick the right watch with Google Wallet

While all these Android smartwatches that support Google Wallet are excellent picks, there are a few we recommend above the rest. First, you'll need to decide whether you're more concerned about the features or the physical design. The good news is many of these options do an amazing job of combining the two.

If you're interested in a Samsung smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 7 is the latest version with a few nice upgrades over the older Galaxy Watch 6. Sensors have been improved for better tracking, including heart rate tracking, and for some, will be worth the loss of reverse wireless charging support on a phone. You can get this watch with LTE or Wi-Fi-only.

If you want to stick with Google's designs, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is one of the best smartwatches to get for Android, and it's ready to go with Google services like Google Wallet with no tricks required. It has strong performance and its integration with the Fitbit app makes it one of the best smartwatches to get with Google Wallet payments.

Get the right fit

Some watches are fairly small and only come in one size. Samsung offers watches like the Galaxy Watch 6 in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm. The larger model has more battery capacity and a larger display that's easier to see but at the cost of more weight. The 44mm Galaxy Watch 7 comes in at 33.8g while the 30mm version is just 28.8. The new Google Pixel Watch 3 now comes in two sizes as well, 41mm and 45mm, weighing 31g and 37g, respectively.

Similarly, you can get multiple band sizes. Samsung offers a smaller band recommended for wrists between 130mm and 190mm while the large band is a good fit for wrists between 145mm and 205mm. There's some overlap, so there's some personal preference in how you like to wear your watch.

Some models, like the OnePlus Watch 2 only come in a single size, and it's a bit large. For downsizing in heft and comfort, you might prefer the OnePlus Watch 2R instead. Make sure you're picking a model that offers the right size and weight for your wrist so you can wear it comfortably all day.

What happened to Google Pay?

Google Pay has been rebranded as Google Wallet with the change finally reaching the U.S. in June of 2024 with the shutdown of the Google Pay app. The Wallet app offers all of the same features that you already enjoy, with some added benefits such as the ability to store things like your Driver's License or ID in addition to your various debit, credit, and promotional cards.

Despite the name change, you are still able to keep using it as you have already been using Pay while out and about. Google is just trying to provide a true digital wallet, giving you everything you need on the go.

Google Wallet only has a few in-app options for adding payment cards, transit passes, loyalty cards, and gift cards. The app has a "Generic API" that works for other data — including COVID-19 vaccination records, testing results, and medical insurance information — but you can't add these directly.

Instead, you'll need to use a third-party healthcare or government app that has incorporated the Google Wallet API, which isn't a guarantee. Let's break down how to add a COVID-19 vaccine card to Google Wallet, along with other health information. 

Where are vaccination record passes for Google Wallet available?

Google Support has a full, updated list of which nations, regions, states, organizations, and businesses have health passes available, including links to each specific group that supports Google Wallet. 

We've recreated the current list below. As you can see, certain nations like the United Kingdom and New Zealand have national options, while others only are available with specific healthcare providers or in specific places.

Australia: Services Australia, NSW Health Pathology

Brazil: Brazil Ministry of Health

Canada: Vaccine-Ontario; Government of Manitoba

New Zealand: Ministry of Health Vaccine Pass; Ministry of Health International Travel Certificate

Singapore: Notarise

Spain: CARM

United Kingdom: NHS

United States: BILH, Change Healthcare, CommonHealth, Healthvana, Illinois Department of Public Health, Oregon Health Authority, State of California, Virginia State Department of Health, Walgreens, Washington State Department of Health

How to add and use vaccine cards to Google Wallet

We can't provide a single set of guidelines on how to add it, because it depends on which service you use and where you live. Many of the links Google provides show vaccine information for the state, but not specifically how to add that data to a Google Wallet passport. 

Generally speaking, your service provider will either give you a QR code that opens Wallet or a message/email that has the "Add to Google Wallet" icon. You'll either need to tap that icon or scan the QR code with your phone camera and tap the pop-up link that appears.

In my case, as a Californian, I could choose to have either my COVID-19 vaccine record or my overall immunization record sent to my email with a QR code. More broadly, you can get your vaccination record from a business like Walgreens, but this will only work if you got vaccinated there. 

Once you add this card, you'll need to agree to share certain data with Google, such as when the vaccine passport is used. This passport will also be protected by your phone's biometrics, meaning only your fingerprint can activate it. 

This Google Wallet COVID-19 passport is specific to this device — it won't be associated with others even if they use the same GPay or Gmail account — and you'll need to reinstall the passport to update it with new booster shots down the line, if necessary.

Google is working hard to make Wallet one of the best Android apps by enabling as many types of passports as possible. Besides payment and loyalty cards, you can add transit passes, parking passes, airport tickets, and other "generic" passes. 

At Google I/O 2023, the Google Wallet team promised that gym membership cards, health insurance cards, auto insurance, parking passes, and other types of passports will be enabled through the new Generic API. 

So in theory, you'll be able to add your full vaccination data or other medical information to your phone...so long as your state or health insurance provider enables it. You'll have to do so through that specific app, not through Google Wallet itself.

We also know that Google has been working on adding driver's licenses to Wallet since last year, but as of yet, we only know if this feature working in one U.S. state (Maryland). Apple Wallet has added them in more states, an unfortunate case of governments focusing more on iPhone users to the detriment of those who own the best Android phones.

Going to a website, entering and saving your credit card info, and buying a product is so old-fashioned — or so companies like Google and Apple would like you to think. 

Services like Meta Pay or Amazon Pay store your payment and shipping information so you can simply log in and auto-populate your information on any online retailer, so you don't save information on those sites. Plus, some payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Wallet have mobile or wearable apps that let you tap-to-pay at participating physical retailers. 

While all of this can be handy, you need to know how various payment apps compare, so you don't have to constantly update your credit card info on a bunch of services. So we'll break down how the best Pay apps compare to one another in services, security, support for physical vs. digital shopping, and other areas. 

How to use each app

Amazon Pay

The appeal of Amazon Pay is that you can take your Prime payment and shipping data and automatically apply it to participating online retailers. If you actively shop on Amazon, you'll keep your address and cards up-to-date there; so when you use the Amazon Pay button, you'll simply select your usual information and pay with no need for any extra set-up. You just need your Amazon login. 

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is probably the most complicated payment tool on this list. For starters, you'll need an iPhone, iPad, or Apple computer to store and access your Apple Wallet, which you can then use in physical stores or when making payments in iOS apps or through Safari.

Apple also has Apple Cash you can send through Messages, an Apple Cash Family tool for sending money to kids and teens and monitoring their purchases, and even a physical Apple Credit Card you can use anywhere with cash-back rewards. For iOS users, you can keep things simple with Apple Pay or go all-in with its other services. 

Google Pay

To use Google Pay, you need a Google account. Once that's set up, open your account settings and click on Payments and Subscriptions. You'll have the option to add credit cards associated with your account, which you can then access with participating sites or automatically when making payments in the Chrome browser. 

You can also download the Google Wallet app, which replaced the Google Pay app but performs the same function. It lets you add credit/ debit cards, loyalty cards, IDs, and other information that you can access easily via apps on your Android phone or through your mobile Chrome browser. As a side note, a separate Google Pay app still exists in 

Meta Pay

Formerly Facebook Pay, Meta Pay lets you send or receive money through Facebook Marketplace, Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp, as well as use the "Meta Pay" option on participating websites. You can go to the Facebook Pay hub to add a payment method, and then it should be associated with various Meta apps.

Samsung Pay

Like Google, Samsung rebranded its Samsung Pay service to Samsung Wallet in order to emphasize stored information like digital IDs and cryptocurrency. But it's still a payment app, one you need a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone to access. You primarily use it for in-person payments, but you can use your stored payment info to pay directly on Samsung's website.

It's more limited than what Google Pay offers, but the two services are fairly similar; you can see our Google Wallet vs. Samsung Wallet guide to compare the two more closely.

Digital availability

Most of these payment apps work in a similar way for digital payments, but retailers have to support them for you to use them — or the payment method needs browser or device access to work. We can't cover every single use case for each app, so we'll merely cover the most important or common ones below:

Amazon Pay: You can check the Amazon Pay "For Shoppers" page to see a list of retailers that accept the platform, ranging from fashion, tech and entertainment, home and garden, sports and outdoors, beauty and health, gift shops, and other categories. For any store that accepts Amazon Pay, you'll see a distinctive yellow button on the checkout page.

Apple Pay: One of the most popular options, Apple Pay is available on iOS apps like Airbnb, DoorDash, Etsy, Groupon, Instacart, Lyft, Postmates, Ticketmaster, and Uber. iGeeksblog has a pretty comprehensive list of the other sites and platforms (aka Squarespace, Shopify, etc.) that support it. You may also auto-fill your Apple Pay credit card info if you use Safari. 

Google Pay: Your stored cards will auto-populate payment fields in Chrome so long as you remember your three-digit security code. Otherwise, like Apple, Google has a huge number of partnered websites and platforms (listed here) including most of the same apps like Instacart and Postmates. Essentially, you'll get the widest range of options with either Apple or Google, so your choice would be predicated on whether you prefer iOS or Android.

Meta Pay: As we mentioned before, Meta Pay mostly applies to P2P payments in Messenger, donations in Instagram, or purchases in the Facebook app for Marketplace items, games, tickets, and so on. Third-party apps also accept Meta Pay, though we couldn't find an actual list anywhere. 

Samsung Pay: This service is primarily restricted to either physical tap-to-pay locations, though you do have a Samsung Pay Cash option to withdraw money from your bank and send it to your Contacts directly, and you can use these stored cards to make payments on Samsung's digital storefront. 

In-store tap-to-pay

Ignoring the Amazon Rewards Credit Card, you'll mainly use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay to make purchases in physical stores. On an iPhone or Android/ Galaxy phone, you'll typically find a shortcut that lets you pull up your stored cards, then some form of authentication like a PIN or fingerprint to unlock the payment method. 

You can also access these tools on an NFC-compatible wearable like an Apple Watch, Google Pixel Watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, so you can tap-to-pay while keeping your phone in your pocket. 

Generally speaking, any location that accepts one Pay app will accept them all, since they all work across most of the same contactless payment systems, depending on which country you live in. Google Wallet is currently accepted in 56 countries, Apple Pay in 74 countries, and Samsung Pay in 14 countries. 

We can't possibly list every store that supports digital payments in one country, let alone dozens; so we'll simply focus on some of the most popular stores in the United States that support these apps across a variety of categories:

Grocery stores: Albertsons, Bevmo, BJs, Costco, CVS, Lucky Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Whole Foods

Retailers: Best Buy, Crate&Barrel, GameStop, Kohl's, Macy's, Office Depot, Petco, Staples, Target

Gas stations: 76, Arco, Chevron, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, Valero

Restaurants: Burger King, Dunkin, Fuddruckers, Jamba Juice, KFC, McDonalds, Panera, Subway

Security

Compared to a smaller retailer with lesser security, any of these five major tech brands can afford more robust security for their stored payment and customer info. And retailers usually don't receive credit card info if you pay from a third party, only receiving vital details like your name and shipping address. 

So using any of these should, in theory, make your online shopping more secure — so long as your account passwords remain secure and you don't lose your smartphone that has access to tap-to-pay. But we'll break down the differences below since each company has its own strengths and weaknesses. 

Amazon Pay: Amazon says that "we do not share your full credit card, debit card, or bank account number with sites or charitable organizations that accept Amazon Pay." Amazon uses SSL to encrypt your information and supports 2FA before you make a payment through Amazon Pay if you prefer.

Apple Pay: Apple stores your credit card info in its "Secured Element" in encrypted form so it can't actually access your information, only saving a four-digit portion and card description so you can recognize it in your Wallet. When you make an in-app or in-store payment, Apple sends that encrypted info to the retailer without accessing it. 

To make a payment in-store, you must authenticate with your Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, so in theory someone who steals your phone can't access your Apple Wallet. You can log into iCloud and use Find My Phone to mark a phone as lost, which will then permanently disable Apple Pay on the device.

Google Pay: Google uses a virtual card number and encrypts your payment information so it can't be accessed in case of a breach. You'll use your PIN, passcode, or fingerprint to unlock your cards on your Android phone. And you receive automated warnings if you are considering responding to a phishing attempt using the person-to-person payment system. 

You can also use Google's Find My Device tool to disable Google Pay if someone steals your phone, or remove payment methods directly from your Google account. 

Meta Pay: Meta promises that "payment card numbers are securely stored, encrypted, and stored separately from your profile data," and that its anti-fraud technology will alert you if it detects unusual activity. You can also require your Meta apps to use a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID before authorizing a payment, but this is optional. 

Samsung Pay: Like the other mobile options, Samsung Wallet encrypts your credit card information and lets you use 2FA to confirm digital payments from a specific bank or card to prevent fraud. Samsung Knox stores your card tokens and biometric data securely and locally.

Because you can only access Samsung Wallet on a Samsung phone, if your phone is stolen, you must use Find My Device to lock Samsung Pay because you won't be able to stop fraudulent payments otherwise. But you must use a PIN, fingerprint, or even an iris scan to verify a payment.

Which should you use?

Choosing Google, Apple, or Samsung Pay gives you close integration with your favorite devices and the option for in-store payments when you leave your physical wallet at home. Samsung will let you access your cards on Galaxy phones and tablets, while Apple Pay is strictly limited to iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. If you ever decide to switch from iOS to Android (or vice versa), you'll have to leave that payment method and transaction history behind.

Google Pay is compatible with any Android phone — and technically works on iOS, though only for sending money to friends — and is accessible for online payments through Chrome, whether you use a Chromebook or a MacBook. So choosing Google Wallet is among the safest choices in terms of longevity and access to a wide range of storefronts. 

Amazon Pay and Meta Pay are much rarer to find in digital stores and can't be used for in-store payments at all. At least Amazon Pay requires little investment on your part since it uses your Prime data, so it's just a pleasant surprise if you ever spot the button on your favorite retailer site. Meta Pay is best for someone who frequently uses Facebook Marketplace or Groups, but otherwise it lacks some of the utility of its rival payment apps. 

While there are a great many things that we can finally access on the Galaxy Watch 4 thanks to Google Play: Gboard for better voice typing, a wider array of apps and watch faces, and Google Wallet for Wear OS. While Samsung Pay is okay in its own right, Google Wallet is more widely available and already has my card info from my Google Play purchases, and it probably has yours, too. That makes setting up Google Pay on the Galaxy Watch 4 an absolute breeze.

How to set up Google Pay on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

As a warning, Google Wallet requires a lock screen on your watch — just as it requires a lock screen when you use it on your phone. So you'll only have to unlock the watch when putting it back on your wrist after having it off for charging, showering, or other activities you don't want it on for (like gutting a pumpkin or dressing a turkey).

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Galaxy Watch 4.

2. Tap the Search icon at the top of the screen.

3. Enter Google Wallet and search.

4. From the list of apps, locate and tap Google Wallet. 

5. Tap the Install button.

With the new and improved Google Wallet app installed on your Galaxy Watch 4, you'll now need to go through and get everything set up appropriately. This includes setting a "lock type" for security, along with adding the cards that you plan to use on one of the best Android smartwatches.

1. On your Galaxy Watch 4, swipe up to reveal your App Drawer.

2. Scroll to the bottom of your list of apps and tap the Google Wallet icon.

3. Tap the Checkmark.

4. Select Pattern or PIN for your "Lock type."

5. If you already have Google Pay set up on your phone, your card will automatically import, and you're done. If you need to enter a card manually, tap the plus icon.

6. Tap the Checkmark to continue on your connected phone.

7. With the Google Wallet open on your connected phone, tap the Continue button.

8. Select one of the cards in Google Wallet to add to your watch. You can also tap + New credit or debit card if you want to add and use a different card.

9. If selecting an existing card, enter the CVV code, when prompted.

10. Tap the Continue button.

11. Accept the issuer terms.

12. In order to verify your identity, you'll need to either Sign in to the bank app or Call your bank. Select an option, then tap Continue.

13. Once the card and your identity have been verified, tap the Continue button.

You're now all set, and the card will be added to the watch. However, unlike Samsung Pay, Google Wallet doesn't get a dedicated button to press to open it, so if you want to access it more easily, set Google Wallet as the double-click shortcut, so that even if the screen's off or you're in another app, Google Wallet is always just a click-click away.

What cards can Google Wallet on Wear OS use?

While I wish that every card you put in Google Wallet could be used on your wrist, that's sadly not the case. You can currently use debit and credit cards on Google Wallet on Wear OS, but you cannot use them for things like boarding passes, public transit cards, or my Walt Disney World annual pass. You also cannot use PayPal.

I'm hopeful that Google Wallet for Wear OS will upgrade to support these things eventually — Apple Pay handles them easily — but at least we can pay with our wrist without having to dig out our phone every time.

Countries that support Google Wallet on Wear OS

There are currently 57 countries where you can Google Pay on Wear OS:

• Armenia
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Chile
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

Google's been getting better about more countries lately, but it's a long and tedious process like anything related to finance.

Whether you have one of the best Android phones or one of the cheapest, Google Pay is the go-to app for all things mobile payments. You can use it to pay for goods at stores that accept NFC, split shared expenses like dinner and utility bills, earn rewards cash, and send money to friends and family. Though it's far from the only app that allows you to send and receive money from your contacts, the app's recent redesign and all of the other features it offers make it a fantastic all-in-one solution for money management.

How to send money in GPay

Whether you lost a bet with a friend or you need to pay your roommate back for last month's energy bill, sending money in Google Pay is about as straightforward as it gets.

1. Open the Google Pay app.
2. Scroll down to the People section on the main screen, and tap to open it.
3. Choose who you want to send money to, or tap Pay friend or group to find them in your contacts list if they don't appear initially.
4. On the following screen, enter the amount you wish to send your contact. From here, you can choose to add a note to your payment, as well.

1. Tap the Pay button.
2. Choose the payment method if equired.
3. You'll receive a confirmation once the money has been successfully sent.

How to request money in GPay

Requesting and receiving money is just as easy as sending it — which is great, since there's nothing worse than chasing down money you've loaned out to friends.

1. Open the Google Pay app.
2. Scroll down to the People section on the main screen, and tap to open it.
3. Choose who you want to request money from, or tap Pay friend or group to find them in your contacts list if they don't appear initially.

1. Enter the amount you wish to request from your contact, and add a note for context.
2. Tap Request.
3. You'll receive a confirmation once your request has been sent, as well as a notification once you've received payment. 

1. Open the Google Pay app.
2. Tap Pay friend or group.
3. On the following screen, select the people from your contacts list with whom you'd like to split a bill. If a contact isn't already on Google Pay, you can tap the Invite button to get them started.

Time to get paid!

The newly redesigned Google Pay app is a clean slate for Google's mobile payment system, and makes managing money between friends much easier than before. Have additional questions? Sound off in the comments below!

Even though being able to make payments from your smartphone or smartwatch has been around for quite some time, it never ceases to amaze us with what's possible. This trend continues with Google's first smartwatch, the Pixel Watch, as the built-in NFC chip paired with Wear OS 3 makes life much easier. But if this is your first time with an NFC-enabled smartwatch, we'll take you through the steps to set up and use Google Wallet on Pixel Watch.

How to set up Screen Lock on Pixel Watch

Before you can start using Google Wallet and Pay on the Pixel Watch, Google requires that you have a PIN or pattern set up for authentication. This aims to provide an additional layer of security so that your attached cards can't be used if someone else has possession of your Watch. When you go through the initial process to set up the Pixel Watch, you should be provided with the option to set a screen lock. If not, you can set up screen lock for the Pixel Watch right from the Settings app.

1. On your Pixel Watch, swipe down to reveal the Quick Settings panel.

2. Tap the Gear icon to open Settings.

3. Scroll down and tap Security.

4. Scroll down again and tap Screen lock.

5. Select either Pattern or PIN.

6. Follow the on-screen steps to set up your pattern or pin.

When creating your pattern or PIN, you'll be asked to enter it twice just to ensure that the input was received correctly and is actually the option you want. With Screen Lock on Pixel Watch enabled, you'll now be able to go through the necessary steps to set up and use Google Wallet on Pixel Watch.

How to set up Google Wallet on Pixel Watch

1. Double-press the crown on your Pixel Watch.

2. Swipe to the left to go through the tutorial.

3. Tap the Add card+ button.

4. You will be taken to the Wallet app on your Android phone.

5. Tap the Add to watch button.

6. Select one of the pre-existing cards attached to Google Pay, or tap New credit or debit card.

7. If adding a new card, follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

There are some instances when you might have already attached a card to Google Wallet for use with a different smartwatch, in which case you might see a card already listed in the app. Nevertheless, you can perform the same steps listed above to add another card if you want to use Google Wallet on Pixel Watch.

How to use Google Wallet on Pixel Watch

With Screen Lock and Google Wallet set up on Pixel Watch, now it's just a matter of putting the tap-to-pay functionality to use.

1. Double-press the crown.

2. Your default card will appear on the screen.

3. If you want to pay with a different card, swipe until you find the card you want to use.

4. Hold your Pixel Watch near the payment terminal.

5. Once the payment has been completed successfully, you will hear a chime and a checkmark appears on your watch.

As is the case with many of the best Android phones and Wear OS smartwatches, you'll need to ensure that the checkout payment terminal can accept tap-to-pay or GPay payments. As long as it does, it really couldn't be easier to use Google Wallet on Pixel Watch.

Pixel Watch and Google Wallet are a perfect match

Despite Google's continued efforts to seemingly confuse Android users, Google Wallet provides an extremely convenient method for making mobile payments. And while the Pixel Watch may fall a bit short compared to some of the other best Android smartwatches, having the ability to pay for groceries right from your wrist is something that still blows us away. Hopefully, we won't have to worry about any more rebranding from the Google camp, but in the meantime, the Pixel Watch works flawlessly with Google Wallet.

Mobile payments have become extremely common recently on phones, but using a smartwatch to pay can be easier. Knowing exactly how to use Google Wallet on a Wear OS watch helps to save you time. Google Wallet has come out of retirement and is taking over for Google Pay. It's picked up a refresh, so it's ready to become a central hub for all of your online and in-store purchases. 

How to use Google Pay on a Wear OS watch

Depending on your Wear OS watch, there may be multiple ways to access Google Wallet. If you're using a smartwatch like the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, then you can map the bottom button to launch Google Wallet when you press it. 

Regardless of which Wear OS watch you have, all devices supporting Google Wallet can access it through the following steps. However, Wear OS 3 devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 have a slightly different process to get set up.

If you're unsure if you can make payments with your smartwatch, here are all of the Wear OS watches that support Google Wallet; if your device is on that list — let's get into how to pay using your smartwatch. Also, should you be a bit unclear about the differences between Google Wallet and Google Pay, we've got you covered there, too — and you aren't alone in the confusion.

How to setup Google Wallet on your Wear OS smartwatch

If you haven't done so yet, set up Google Wallet on your smartphone before setting it up on your Wear OS smartwatch.

1. With Google Wallet installed and set up on your phone, you'll need to install it on your watch.

2. Once the app is installed on your smartwatch, press the side button on your watch.

3. Then, find and select Google Wallet.

4. The app will process for a few moments and then direct you to continue set up on your phone.

5. On your phone, you choose which card you want to use on your watch.

6. After the finishing setup, your watch will be ready to use.

If you don't have a device lock setup on your smartwatch you'll be prompted to do so. Because your watch now has the power to make payments, having some way to lock it down is a good idea. You'll only need to enter the password on your Wear OS watch if you restart or take it off your wrist.

Once you have everything set up on your watch and phone, using Google Wallet at mobile payment terminals is a breeze, and works anywhere Google Pay is accepted. You'll open the app and ensure the card you wish to use is showing on your watch, then it's just a tap of your screen to the payment terminal. You'll get a buzz on your watch to let you know the transaction is in process, and when it's all done, along with an email notification.

In the "olden days," using your Galaxy Watch to make payments on the go meant that you were stuck with Samsung Pay. Despite Google's attempts to improve its own mobile payment software, Samsung's hardware would only work with Samsung's software. Thanks to the update to Wear OS 3, this is no longer a frustration, as you can finally use Google Pay on the Galaxy Watch 5.

How to use Google Pay on the Galaxy Watch 5

1. On your Galaxy Watch 5, swipe up to reveal your App Drawer. 

2. Scroll through the list of apps and tap the Play Store icon. 

3. Tap the Search icon at the top of the page. 

4. Enter Google Wallet and tap the Search icon next to the spacebar. 

5. Tap Google Wallet from the list of results. 

6. Tap the Install button.

Now that you've installed Google Wallet onto your Galaxy Watch 5, it's time to make sure it's set up properly. This means adding your necessary cards to the app, so you can swipe through and select one while you're at checkout.

1. On your Galaxy Watch 5, swipe up to reveal your App Drawer.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the list and tap the Google Wallet app icon.

3. Tap the Checkmark to confirm that you will use Screen lock.

4. Select Pattern or PIN for your "Lock type."

5. When prompted, create a pattern or enter a PIN.

6. Tap the + icon to add a new card.

7. Tap the Checkmark to continue on your connected phone.

8. From your phone, tap the Continue button.

9. Select one of the cards in Google Wallet to add to your watch. You can also tap + New credit or debit card if you want to add and use a different card.

10. If selecting an existing card, enter the CVV code, when prompted.

11. Tap the Continue button.

12. Accept the Issuer terms.

13. In order to verify your identity, you'll need to either Sign in to the bank app or Call your bank. Select an option, then tap Continue.

14. Once the card and your identity have been verified, tap the Continue button.

Quickly access Google Wallet on your Galaxy Watch 5

1. From your Galaxy Watch 5, swipe down to reveal the Quick Settings panel.

2. Tap the Settings cog.

3. Scroll down and tap Advanced features.

4. Scroll down and tap Customize keys.

5. Under Home key, tap Double press.

6. Scroll through the list of apps and tap Google Wallet.

7. Exit the Settings app.

It's extremely convenient being able to not only switch from Samsung Pay to Google Wallet, but also being able to quickly access the app. Instead of needing to scroll through the list of apps, find the Wallet icon, and then go through the payment process, you can just double-tap the Home key to launch Google Wallet.

Switch to Google for good

While the list of Google Wallet-compatible smartwatches might be pretty robust as it is, the same can't be said for those running Wear OS 3. That's expected to change in the coming months, but for the time being, the Galaxy Watch 5 is the best option available. 

Along with switching over from Samsung Pay to Google Wallet on your Galaxy Watch 5, you can also use Google Assistant instead of Bixby. And if you aren't a fan of the stock Samsung Keyboard app, just download Gboard and fully "Google-fy" your Galaxy Watch. 

What you need to know

• We asked our readers if they used mobile payments from their smartphones or smartwatches.
• Out of more than 2,000 votes, over 70% of our readers say they primarily use mobile payments.
• The remaining 29% prefer physical wallets, but roughly half still use mobile payments.

Over the weekend, we asked our readers if they use mobile payments. Systems like Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, and others continue to improve the ways that users can quickly make payments, access loyalty cards, or use transit passes. And it seems like the effort is paying off.

Out of more than 2,000 votes, over 70% of our readers say they primarily use mobile payments. Meanwhile, of the remaining 29% of voters prefer to use their physical wallets, with more than half of those opting to use mobile payments every so often.

Reese on Twitter says using systems like Google Pay is much more convenient for transit:

"All the time - especially when paying for buses and trains here in London. So much easier to quickly whip out GPay when rushing through a busy station than it is to fiddle with your wallet trying to find a physical card."

Susan Hugus on Facebook notes how they use the Galaxy Watch 4 for payments, especially with more places starting to support it:

"It's working very well in Denmark. Never pulling out the wallet to pay. NYC restaurants are slowly getting with the mobile payment system. I use my watch 4 all the time in stores in the US."

Another reader, ArKa, points out that a lack of support is still a problem in many places.

"I always use it when I can but for some reason there's no federal mandates for physical storefronts to accept all forms of NFC payments."

Many others echoed this sentiment, with large companies like Walmart curiously lacking support for mobile payments. There are also many countries that still lack support for some mobile payment systems. Google continues to expand support for Google Wallet on the best Android phones, recently adding six new countries to its list. However, there's still plenty of work to be done to make mobile payments ubiquitous.

Mobile payments have come a long way. Many retailers support contactless payments from Android and iOS smartphones, and consumers can even make payments from their smartwatches. Since many of us carry our smartphones everywhere we go, it could be seen as more convenient these days than a traditional wallet. Still, some of us prefer the "old school" way of pulling out our credit cards or cash to pay for things.

Do you use mobile payments from your smartphone or smartwatch?

Companies have recently started ramping up their digital wallet efforts. Both Google and Samsung have gone through overhauls as they attempt to provide consumers with a comprehensive digital wallet solution.

The new Google Wallet aims to take Google Pay to the next level with more capabilities and support for various items. According to Google, Wallet supports payment cards, loyalty cards, boarding passes, event passes, membership cards, and vaccine cards.

Google hopes to support additional items such as digital car keys, hotel room keys, and driver's licenses/IDs. Fortunately, it's easy to access thanks to its availability on many of the best Android phones, and Google continues to expand support to more countries.

Meanwhile, Samsung Wallet grew from a combination of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass, the latter of which carries a user's private information, such as logins, and allows easy biometric login for websites and apps. Similar to Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet supports various card types, passes, and keys while also incorporating Samsung Pass features. We've compared Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet to help Galaxy users device which service is right for them.

Other smartphone and smartwatch manufacturers have their own payment systems, including Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and more. This means consumers have various options to choose from when it comes to mobile payments.

That said, there are some downsides. Because there are so many different systems, it can feel disparate for consumers with multiple devices from different OEMs. Additionally, there are phones like those from Motorola that don't have NFC chips, which is a requirement for using these payment systems. Also, not every loyalty or membership card is supported on these systems. Transit support is also pretty scarce, even in some of the largest cities in the U.S.

Drop a comment on our Facebook or Twitter accounts and let us know which mobile payment system you use and some of the most common uses for your digital wallet.

What you need to know

• Google Wallet gains expanded support for additional countries/regions.
• The smartphone app is now available in a total of 45 countries.
• The app is not yet supported on Wear OS in these newly added countries/regions.
• Google Wallet recently launched as a revamp to Google's digital wallet efforts.

Google Wallet was announced earlier this year in May but didn't start rolling out until late July with support for nearly 40 countries. However, Google announced that the app is now gaining support for an additional six countries.

A blog post on Tuesday revealed that Google Wallet has expanded its reach to more regions, bringing the total number of supported countries/regions to 45. The newly added countries/regions include Azerbaijan, Iceland, Moldova, Qatar, Serbia, and South Africa.

Google Wallet is the search giant's newly revamped digital wallet effort that aims to consolidate all of our digital needs into a comprehensive solution. Not only does the app store payment cards, but it can store loyalty cards, car keys, transit passes, IDs, and much more.

The app was launched as an update in countries where the older version of Google Pay was still available. However, users in select countries such as the United States and Singapore use a separate Google Wallet app in tandem with the newer Google Pay, with both apps serving different purposes. That said, the system used to make payments continues to be Google Pay. It seems a bit convoluted, but fortunately, we have an explainer to help wrap your mind around the difference between Google Pay and Google Wallet.

Confusing strategies aside, the new Google Wallet recently launched on the best Android phones and Wear OS watches. That said, support for Wear OS payments doesn't seem to be in the cards for these new countries, as noted by the support page, but hopefully, it won't be long before Google expands support for its smartwatches.

What you need to know

• Fitbit has previously teased that it's working on a new Wear OS smartwatch.
• In an APK teardown, there is information showing Google Pay support coming to Fitbit watches.
• Illustrations provided also provide a possible look at a watch design. However, these are likely just instructional designs and do not represent an upcoming Wear OS watch.

Potential details about Fitbit's future smartwatch plans may have surfaced through strings of code signaled by upcoming support for Google Wallet.

Fitbit has previously teased its new Wear OS 3-powered smartwatch, which we expect to launch in the near future. According to XDA Developer's APK teardown, some hints in the recent beta for Google Play Services could signal we're approaching a potential launch of the watch thanks to the addition of some new software.

Google Play Services beta v22.32.12 references new software on the way for Fitbit smartwatches. The string references a watch with Google Pay support (likely through Google Wallet), as opposed to Fitbit Pay which is the payment system found on the best Fitbit trackers. The code mentions, "You can pay everywhere Google Pay is accepted."

The APK also included some illustrations of what could be a quick glimpse into the display design for a Fitbit smartwatch, providing a visual example of Google Pay in use. The images show a squarish design with rounded edges. This isn't too atypical of Fitbit smartwatch designs as its Verse 3 and Sense also sport this same rounded-edge, squarish look.

Do keep in mind that these are simply illustrations to explain a feature and could possibly not have anything to do with the official display design of Fitbit's upcoming smartwatch.

It's also possible that Google is simply extending its payment system to Fitbit's fitness trackers. 9to5Google suggests that Google Wallet could show up on the upcoming Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4, which are unlikely to run Wear OS and will likely run Fitbit OS as indicated by previous APK deep dives. But if these APK reports are anything to go by, it looks like Google is set to integrate its services deeper into Fitbit and vice versa.

Google is preparing to launch its Pixel Watch alongside the fall launch of the upcoming Pixel phones, and we know a Wear OS smartwatch is on the way from Fitbit. It's not yet clear when we can expect this new Fitbit device, but the launch of the Pixel Watch could be the ideal catalyst for Fitbit's launch.

Update (July 20, 3:45 pm ET): Google confirms Wallet rollout on Android, Wear OS.

What you need to know

• Google has started rolling out its new Wallet app.
• This app is available as an update to the "old" Google Pay app.
• Google is looking to help people be rid of their "physical wallet."

After announcing Google Wallet back at Google I/O, the search giant finally came come through with its next digital payment update.

The app was spotted by 9to5Google, who notes that it's arriving as an update to the "old" Google Pay app. As discussed during I/O 2022, Google is looking to shift into a more "comprehensive digital wallet." Google Wallet is designed for not only storing your payment cards but digital IDs, car keys, transit passes, hotel keys, concert tickets, and more.

The update will display your digital payment cards in a carousel at the top for easy viewing. Any passes that a person may have will show beneath. You will also be able to tap "Add to Wallet," which will provide you with different payment options from transit passes to gift cards and more.

There's also a card that helps you set up Gmail integration so Google Wallet can automatically add cards associated with your email.

If you live in the U.S., you've likely ditched the old Google Pay app for the newer version. The "old" app is the one still used by most countries, marked with "GPay" as its app icon as opposed to the multi-colored icon found on the new app. However, this new Wallet app will work in unison with the new Google Pay (or "GPay") app. Yeah, it's a little confusing.

It is also worth noting that Google Pay will still be the service that gets you through your transactions. This new Wallet update will serve as a way for people to rid themselves of their "physical wallet." Consolidating all of your payment options, IDs, and passes in one place is what Google is looking to provide and eventually expand on.

This new update is slowly rolling out and may not currently be available for some users. That said, if you're impatient, you can download the update via APK Mirror, which worked just fine for us.

The U.S. and a few other countries will retain the separate Google Pay app, while other countries on the old version of the app will be updated to Google Wallet. For the few countries with access to both apps, there are some differences in their purpose and what they can do for you.

The rollout comes weeks after the new Samsung Wallet update rolled out to Galaxy smartphones in certain regions.

Update

After Google Wallet started appearing for some users, Google has finally confirmed that the digital wallet app is rollout out for Android devices. It will be available on the Play Store for users in the U.S. and Singapore and will coexist with the new Pay app. At the same time, most other regions will be automatically updated to the new Wallet experience from the existing Pay app.

The update has also arrived on Wear OS devices as an update to Google Pay. Google also teases "more functionality and features" for Wallet on Wear OS later this year and plans to expand support to more countries. 

While restrictions have eased in many parts of the world, we're still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means some places may require proof of vaccination. Users can save digital vaccination cards on their Android smartphones, but sometimes accessing them can be a bit of a hassle. Fortunately, Google makes it even easier to save and access your digital vaccination card right from your Pixel home screen.

We'll walk you through how to quickly save your digital vaccination card to your Pixel smartphone, and how to add a home screen shortcut from Google Pay for easy access.

How to save your digital vaccination card with a screenshot

1. Locate the email, app, or website with your digital vaccination card. When you open the QR code for your vaccination card, take a screenshot.

2. Click the button in the screenshot overlay prompting you to "Add to Google Pay."

3. The next screen will give you details about saving your digital vaccine card to your phone. Click "Continue."

4. On the next screen, scroll down and tap "I agree."

5. Your card has been successfully saved to your device. Hit "Next."

6. Your phone will automatically prompt you to create a shortcut for your saved card on your home screen. Select "Add shortcut."

7. On the next screen, hit "Add to home screen."

8. The card will appear on your home screen as a shortcut that you can move to whatever position you like.

9. Tap the icon to view your digital vaccine card. This will likely require your fingerprint or your preferred lock screen method.

There you have it. Now you can quickly access your vaccination card without having to dig through your images or Google Pay to find it.

It should be noted that saving your digital card via screenshot is a feature only available in the U.S., Canada, and Australia on the Pixel 4 up to the current Pixel 6 series. Users also must have the Google Pay app installed and an active internet connection.

Of course, you don't have to go through all those steps if you already have the card saved to your device in Google Pay.

How to pin a saved digital vaccination card to your home screen

1. Open Google Pay and locate your digital vaccination card.

2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the overflow menu.

3. Select "Save to home," then follow the prompts to save the card as a shortcut on your home screen.

It's worth noting that this latter method is not exclusive to Pixel smartphones. Any of the best Android phones can pin a digital vaccination card to their home screen this way, as long as it's saved to the Google Pay app.

Google's naming schemes for its apps and products often leave everyday people feeling confused. Case in point, Google combined Android Pay and Google Wallet into Google Pay in 2018, but decided in 2022 to split Google Wallet and Google Pay all over again. 

In essence, the new Google Wallet app has replaced Google Pay in most countries, serving as Google's main mobile and Wear OS tool for in-store payments, boarding passes, and driver's licenses. Google Pay will still exist as an app in a few countries like the U.S., only with a more limited scope than before. This messy rebranding could help Google grow the GPay brand, but it's left a lot of people unsure of what's changed.

If you're curious how Google Pay vs. Google Wallet compare to one another, we break down the differences at that link. Otherwise, this post will dive into the details of what, exactly, Google Pay is now that Google has restricted it. We'll explain where and when you can use it, and why you still may want to use your GPay app.

Google Pay vs. Google Wallet

Google Pay (GPay) is two things simultaneously: an Android/iOS app for payments, and an umbrella term for a Google payments system available both online and in participating stores. 

Google is scaling back the capabilities of the GPay app, but the second element of Google Pay isn't going away; you'll just use Google Wallet to make payments at Google Pay-eligible locations, as confusing as that may be. 

It's also Google Wallet that'll work for NFC payments through your Android smartwatch at Google Pay locations.

In most nations with access to the Google Pay app, it'll automatically update to Google Wallet fairly soon. But in a few nations, the Google Wallet and Google Pay apps will remain separate, and Pay will be used specifically for digital payments to friends and family — similar to Venmo.

In other words, if you don't have need for a peer-to-peer payment app, you probably don't need Google Pay, and you can consolidate to Google Wallet and get all the other features you're used to using. But if you do want to keep that feature, the GPay app will have some redundancy with Wallet — assuming it's still available where you live.

Which countries will get/lose Google Pay?

Google Pay will remain available in just three countries: India, Singapore, and the United States. 

India has its own version of GPay based on Tez that'll remain unchanged, and it won't get access to Wallet. That means you'll continue to use it for making payments, but won't get access to new Wallet tools like digital IDs.

The U.S. and Singapore will have to download Google Wallet for payments and storing IDs, for which they previously used GPay. But they can retain the Google Pay app as a "companion app where you can do more payments-focused things like send and receive money from friends or businesses, discover offers from your favorite retailers or manage your transactions," according to Google.

Google Pay features

Since Google Wallet is still "coming soon," we haven't seen the new, devolved Google Pay yet. But based on what's currently available, we can explain how the remaining features will work in the new system.

The new GPay payment system will let you quickly connect with contacts or groups of contacts in the app. That way, you can make payments to your friends and family, or receive them. The same goes for making payments to local businesses that accept GPay.

And certain apps, like Google Assistant or Messenger, should still connect to Google Pay (or Wallet) as well, should you wish to make payments that way. At least on Android phones, since iPhones lack that kind of interconnectivity except for Apple apps.

Transfers to and from your bank account are generally free so long as you wait 1-3 days for the transfer to go through. If you want an instant transfer, you'll have to pay a 1.5% fee with a $0.31 minimum.

The app currently shows your local restaurants and gas stations that accept Google Pay; even though you'll use Wallet to pay at those locations, we think the Pay app will still retain this feature.

The app can also help you find special offers from merchants. This can include discounts and cashback rewards. This will let you save or earn when you use Google Pay to process transactions at those businesses.

How to get started with Google Pay

Until we know more specifics of how Google Pay will work, we'll defer to our original Google Pay app set-up guide. It walks you through the steps of adding your information and 2FA protections. Then you decide if you want to let friends find you via search, receive reward and cashback offers, or receive relevant store recommendations. 

The Google Pay app will then let you use whatever payment methods you've previously uploaded to the Google Pay payment system; you can also upload new methods at that link.

Card/bank compatibility

Do you live in a country that supports Google Pay? Awesome! However, that's just half the battle in ensuring you can use the service.

Even if you live in one of the above countries, you still need to have a bank and card that supports Google Pay before you can start making payments in stores with your phone. Thankfully, Google's been building up this list for quite a few years meaning there's a good chance you're covered.

Major brands like AMEX, Capital One, Chase, Discover, and Wells Fargo are all on-board with Google Pay in the U.S. Along with this, you'll also find a huge list of smaller banks/credit unions that are supported as well. You can check out the full list here.

GPay Virtual Card Numbers

At Google I/O 2022, along with announcing the "new" Google Wallet app, the company unveiled some new Google Pay security features that'll keep your financial information more secure and easier to identify. 

Google will use "virtual card numbers" when you use your saved Google cards to make online purchases, so your autofilled payment details will remain hidden to storefronts. That makes it less likely that, in the event a website is hacked, your real payment information will be vulnerable.

Google says that Visa, AmEx, and CapitalOne cards will be eligible for VCNs starting summer 2022, while Mastercard card VCNs will appear before the end of 2022 — assuming you choose to opt in.

At the same time, Google also added a series of other security changes to ensure websites don't get unnecessary information while you're paying for products, explained in the embedded video above.

Google is particularly fond of rebranding its services every few years, and nowhere is this more evident than its payment strategy. Google folded the older Google Pay service into GPay — a custom version designed from scratch for India — but it didn't roll out the service globally, instead limiting it to a few markets.

That led to a lot of confusion as there were two distinct versions of Google Pay, and Google is now adding one more product into the mix: Google Wallet. This new iteration of Google Wallet lets you pay using credit and debit cards and works with NFC payments, and you also get the ability to add digital IDs, transit cards, event tickets, car keys, vaccine cards, and so much more.

The new Wallet is Google's latest attempt at a digital wallet that stores all of your cards securely, and it has a lot of potential. However, Google Pay will continue to exist alongside Wallet in select countries, so let's take a look at how we got here, what Google Wallet can deliver, and why you should still care about Google Pay.

Google's payment history: a short primer

Google's first payment service was dubbed Wallet back in 2011, but it was limited to Nexus devices and limited in its feature set. Then Android Pay came along in 2015 to facilitate contactless payments across all Android devices, but Google didn't kill off Wallet just yet; it was instead turned into a peer-to-peer payments service. In 2018, Google folded Android Pay and Google Wallet into a single service called Google Pay.

While all of this was going on in, Google India was working on a brand-new payment platform designed for India. It launched in 2017 and was called Tez, which means fast in Hindi. The service was built to facilitate peer-to-peer payments on India's Unified Payments Interface, and it also picked up the ability to pay utility bills, view transaction history, find local businesses, get rewards, and because this is Google, an easy way to message contacts within the app.

Confusingly, Google rebranded Tez to Google Pay in India — stylized as GPay — and then rolled out the service in other markets at the end of 2020. Not all countries got this new GPay variant, and that led to two distinct versions of Google Pay — the older version that still goes by Google Pay and is used predominantly around the world, and the GPay variant that debuted in India and made its way to the U.S. and Singapore.

Google is now trying to clear up some of this confusion by overhauling the older Google Pay and merging it into Google Wallet.

Google Wallet is designed to be so much more

Google Wallet includes all the features that you'll find in Google Pay, including the ability to store credit and debit cards, make contactless payments, get rewards, store loyalty cards, boarding passes, transit cards, and tickets.

You'll also be able to digitize vaccine cards, student IDs, and use Wallet as a digital car key — provided your car offers that feature. Google is working with states in the U.S. and international governments to bring mobile driver's licenses and the ability to store office badges directly within Wallet, and it is working with hotels to enable digital hotel keys.

Google has reaffirmed that Wallet will continue to work on Wear OS the same way Google Pay does currently, and this should come as welcome news to those that were affected with the transition from Google Pay to GPay, which broke tap-to-pay on Android smartwatches.

Essentially, Google Wallet is the evolution of Google Pay, and with the service set to be available in most global markets, it will become the default payments option from Google.

Google Pay isn't going away — at least in these regions

Google Wallet will debut in 38 global markets, where it will automatically replace Google Pay. But the service isn't coming to India, and Google has confirmed that GPay will continue to be the default option for customers in the country looking to make payments. That means Indian users will miss out on digital IDs and all the new features that Google Wallet offers.

But in the U.S. and Singapore, Google Wallet will be available alongside GPay, with Google offering both services. Wallet will be the default option that's pre-installed on the best Android phones going forward, with Google offering GPay as an alternative for making peer-to-peer payments. So if you don't need that particular feature, you can just use Wallet.

Google Wallet is the way forward

While Google could have made the Wallet rollout less confusing, the service itself has a lot of potential. 

At its core, Wallet brings together most of the features Google introduced in its payment services over the course of the last decade. And by resurrecting the Wallet branding, Google is making it easier for customers to understand what the service is all about — it's clear that the switch to Google Pay didn't have the desired effect, so this is all about course correction. 

We'll have more to share about Google Wallet once it's available, but for now, what you need to know is that Google Pay is going away and Google Wallet is back — at least in most countries. 

It sounds confusing, but Google has decided to rebrand Google Pay into Google Wallet in various countries. Though in the U.S. and Singapore, it plans to keep Pay and launch the companion Wallet app. Analysts aren’t sure what to make of Google’s move and are split on whether this will confuse users or not. 

At Google I/O, the company announced Wallet, which will secure and store payment cards, passes, IDs digitally, and more. In addition to this, users (in specific regions) will still be able to use Pay, which will function as it has in the past. 

In all countries where only Pay has been available, Google says the app will auto-update to Wallet and users will just have one app to work with. 

As confusing as this all is, longtime Android users may be especially confused. Google first launched Wallet in 2011. In 2015 the company launched Android Pay and later in 2018, Android Pay and Google Wallet were merged into what we know as Google Pay. Now Google will break Wallet off once again.

In an interview with Android Central, Dong Min Kim, director of payments product at Google, said rebranding Wallet and offering it as a separate app was decided based on user behavior. 

“We started with the Wallet-based experience and we introduced this new deeper experience. And what we’ve seen is that people kind of tend to gravitate towards one or the other based on what they’re used to and what their primary use cases for and are. 

“I think part of the story around Google Wallet and what we want it to evolve to, is that it shouldn’t feel like a payments app. It should actually feel like a digital version of the stuff that I carry on with me and right now it feels a bit like these are competing with each other. But at the end of the day, once you start being able to add things like your digital car keys, or mobile driver’s licenses, it should feel much more like this is just an extension of my Android device,” he says. 

Google did not specify when Wallet will be available, but that it could come later this summer on all of the best Android devices out there. 

Google also did not indicate when you'll be able to add your drivers' licenses to your Wallet, in part because the company is still working with various governments around the world to make this happen. 

In the U.S., it’s either going to really confuse users…or maybe they won’t care at all

Anshel Sag, a senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, says the move is going to confuse people, which ultimately isn’t going to be a good move for Google. 

“It will mostly confuse existing users when they look and realize that they have to download another app to have the same functionality they once had with one app,” he says. “I think it’s problematic, honestly. I like having Wallet and Pay as a single app and product and the only way I could see them splitting them out as a good thing is if Google was hoping to use Wallet more to encourage an even more open approach.”

Mishaal Rahman, senior technical editor at Esper and former editor-in-chief of XDA Developers, doesn’t necessarily think it’s going to confuse users, who probably forgot that Wallet even existed at one point. 

While he says it’s “amusing to see Google rebrand yet another already released product,” it’s not such a big deal. Rahman adds that many journalists are likely familiar with Google’s “flip-flopping product launches,” but “many regular consumers may not be aware of Google’s many earlier products.”

“How many consumers could definitively tell you what the old Google Wallet offered, and how many would simply misremember or guess what the product was about? Of course, not every rebranding provides a clean slate, especially when it involves a highly beloved and popular application or service,” he says. 

However, that being said, Rahman doesn’t necessarily think the rebrand will have the effect Google is hoping for, adding that Google treats rebranding as an opportunity to present an old product as new. 

“As if they’re starting with a clean state before launching a new product,” he says.

It’s all about visibility and awareness, and Google really needs to get this right

While the brand strategy seems a bit wonky, Rahman thinks that what is critical is getting people on board and aware of how Wallet and Pay will work. 

“Google’s branding strategy certainly warrants criticism, but in this case, I think their strategy is sensible. The dual branding is intuitive - Wallet stores your digital cards, while Pay makes payments. I don’t think confusion will be a problem, but awareness will be,” he says. 

Rahman notes that the biggest issue that Google has had with Wallet/G Pay/ Google Pay/Android Pay is not the branding, but rather market penetration. 

“Everyone knows what Apple Pay is, but comparatively, few people know about Google’s offering despite the obvious similarities and branding. Google’s offering doesn’t offer as compelling a service, and simply rebranding the wallet component of G Pay won’t do much to help with consumer awareness. Google not only needs to significantly expand its functionality but also get card issuers on board with offering digital identity documents,” he says. 

Hanish Bhatia, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, agrees and adds that Google right now is trying to “grab a larger share in global mobile payments.”

In terms of how Google is handling which countries get two apps and which get an auto-update, he says Google is being very strategic based on its growth from Android-dominated markets, “especially developing countries.”

“While Google’s products cut across daily digital transactions done over the internet, mobile payments might be the missing piece of the puzzle, which attaches certain economic value to every user. Such a profiling can be a big deal for a company that generates majority of its revenue through advertisements,” he says. 

Getting drivers’ licenses is critical but going to prove difficult to get

Google’s Kim says that the company has been working hard for Wallet to support drivers’ licenses. 

“There’s going to be support…but it’s not going to be part of the initial launch. It is something that we’re building the capability for on the platform,” he says. 

“We’ve been talking to several states and government agencies, national governments as well. There’s a lot of complexity in that system. And we want to make sure that when we launch this we’re doing it the right way. We want to make sure users really feel safe.”

Rahman agrees, adding that implementing drivers’ licenses is going to be challenging because of the added governmental bureaucracy. 

“Various state governments across the U.S. are trialing digital driver's license apps, but even if those are approved by their respective DPSes (and who knows how long that'll take), there's no guarantee that that approval extends to the card being shown within Wallet. After all, driver's licenses are a valid form of primary identification used for all sorts of purposes, so they're strictly regulated. Depending on how the Wallet's framework is set up to retrieve and surface digital driver's licenses from already approved vendors, I wouldn't be surprised if at least some authorities will have questions before their use is approved in Wallet,” he says

Bhatia says that this will be very critical for Google, noting that it will play a key role in the success of Wallet. 

“Google must offer something beyond ‘digital storage’ of government IDs for steep adoption. How these government IDs interact across different transaction points will be the key,” he says. 

What you need to know

• Google will soon enable virtual cards in Chrome, powered by Google Pay.
• Like with in-store payments, these cards in Chrome will use a virtual card number to keep your payment details hidden.
• Users will be able to manage their virtual cards using the Google Pay website.
• Virtual card numbers will roll out this summer on Android and desktop versions of Chrome.

Google Wallet may be on its way back, but Google Pay will still live on. At Google I/O 2022, the company announced a new way that Google Pay will allow users to make more secure payments online with new virtual card numbers.

Thanks to Autofill, Google Chrome already makes it pretty easy to fill out payment information. But soon, Google Pay will make it even easier by giving you a virtual card number (VCN), ridding the need to input your CVV when making a payment.

Not only that, but your actual card number is hidden and replaced with the VNC when shopping online. This is similar to when you make a Google Pay payment in a store and adds another layer of security to your online purchase.

One way to sign up for VCN is by saving payment information to Chrome for the first time. Additionally, Chrome Autofill users on desktops or on the best Android phones will be prompted to enroll when they make an online purchase.

Users will still be able to view their transactions through their card issuer app or website. They can also manage their virtual cards on pay.google.com or through the Chrome settings.

"This is a landmark step in bringing the security of virtual cards to as many consumers as possible," says Arnold Goldberg, vice president and General Manager of Payments at Google. "Shoppers using Chrome on desktop and Android can enjoy a fast checkout experience when shopping online while having the peace of mind knowing that their payment information is protected."

Virtual card numbers will roll out this summer for the Chrome browser on desktop and Android devices in the U.S. Google has not provided plans for a wider rollout just yet.

What you need to know

• Google has announced its reimagined digital wallet with the new Google Wallet app.
• Google Wallet will hold payment cards, loyalty cards, transit passes, digital car keys, and more.
• Google Wallet will replace Google Pay in most countries, while working in tandem with the app in the U.S. and Singapore.
• The app will be available "soon" on both Android and Wear OS devices.

Google Wallet is now official — again — as the company's latest effort to create a comprehensive digital wallet for its mobile platforms.

The app will act as a secure way to digitally store items like payment cards, passes, IDs, and more. This may sound a lot like what Google Pay can already do, but Google emphasizes Google Pay's role as a payments and financial management app for P2P payments and financial insights. Meanwhile, the company's plans for the new Wallet app are much more grandiose.

In addition to payment cards and passes, Google sees Wallet as a way to keep up with a world where more items are becoming digitized for easier access from our mobile devices. For example, Wallet will be able to store digital car keys, boarding passes, vaccine cards, student IDs, and more. Eventually, Google plans to support hotel room keys, digital driver's licenses, and office badges. Pretty much whatever developers want to digitize, Google wants to support.

Not only will this become the one-stop digital shop for everything you might otherwise carry in your wallet or pocket, but it will also enable helpful contextual updates and even connect these essentials to some of the apps you use most. For example, your stored boarding pass will update you on any delays or changes to your travel plans, or the app will notify you of an upcoming concert you saved tickets for. Google Wallet will also connect with Google Maps to display your transit card and balance when you look up directions using public transportation.

Google says users will be able to add cards to Wallet from the Google Pay app. Users will also be able to add boarding passes and event tickets to Wallet by taking screenshots of the items from the best Android phones.

As for availability, most countries will notice their Google Pay app transform into Google Wallet, complete with a new look. However, in countries where the new Google Pay app is available (the U.S. and Singapore), Wallet will arrive separately to complement the Google Pay app.

Google did not mention India in its rollout plans for Wallet, saying that users in the country "will continue to use their Google Pay app they are familiar with today." However, Google notes that it will continue to expand on Pay's capabilities for P2P payments, transactions, offers, and more for the countries that currently support the app.

Google also did not specify when the new Wallet app will be available but noted that it is "coming soon," meaning we could likely see it arrive over the summer or alongside the Android 13 update.

Google I/O is just around the corner, and things are already shaping up for quite an eventful conference. While we can definitely expect a lot of developer talk at the event, there are tons of keynotes and consumer-focused features that will come out of I/O. If we're lucky, we might even get a hardware announcement or two.

Aside from the official schedule that Google has already posted, there have been a ton of leaks to help us paint a picture of what we can expect from the big event. Google I/O 2022 commences on May 11, which is less than two weeks away, giving us plenty of time to get excited for what's to come! Here's a list of what we expect to see at the event, along with some speculation on what Google could announce.

Android 13

Google's next major OS version is already here... sort of. The company recently released the first Android 13 beta, putting us closer to the final release. While there has been plenty to see throughout the beta and previous developer previews, we expect Google to have a lot more to say about the features we will see in the final version.

Android 13 isn't expected to be the same major overhaul as Android 12 was. However, it seems like Android 13 will build on Android 12L, refining much of the work to optimize Android for larger-screened devices like foldables and tablets.

Wear OS 3

We heard a lot about Wear OS 3 at Google I/O last year, but aside from the Galaxy Watch 4 running Samsung's flavor, we have yet to see the stock experience in action. This is what we expect to appear on many of the best Wear OS watches when the update rolls out later this year. We've already seen glimpses of it through the Wear OS emulator, but it's time we get a full look at Wear OS 3 after it was announced a whole year ago.

With any luck, Google will also give us a firm date on when we can expect the update to roll out on current eligible smartwatches. But of course, we can't talk about Wear OS 3 without mentioning...

Pixel Watch?

We're not sure about this one, but it seems likely. Leaks have been ramping up lately, especially after the Pixel Watch was "accidentally" left in a Chicago restaurant. The device looks exactly like what we've seen in previous renders, and it has us cautiously optimistic about Google's first smartwatch.

We hear that it could be announced or at least teased at Google I/O, with a full launch occurring alongside the Pixel 7 series. Here's hoping we hear something!

Smart Home

Google has been making many changes to its Google Home app, revamping UI elements to make it easier to use and much more helpful. We expect the company is up to something and that there could be much more on the horizon. There has been talk of a new Nest Hub display with a tablet-like design, and such a device will likely require an upgrade to Google's smart home platform.

There's also the matter of Matter and the company's efforts with the unified smart home standard. Yes, it keeps getting delayed, but Big Tech seems pretty committed. Therefore, we imagine there might be more to say about it at I/O.

Pixel 6a

Unlike last year's late launch of the Pixel 5a, Google is expected to introduce the Pixel 6a at I/O, at least according to one rumor. It's likely that it will sport the same design as its higher-end siblings, which isn't a bad thing. That said, despite the likelihood that it will be powered by the same Tensor chipset, the Pixel 6a will likely have a few downgrades as well.

A recent leak suggests that the 6a won't support the same camera features as the Pixel 6 flagships. That could be due to lesser camera hardware, as it will likely have the same primary camera found in past Pixels. Still, this could end up being one of the best budget Android phones of the year, and Google should definitely aim to launch it sooner rather than later.

Google Pay

We expect Google to talk in length about its apps and software, but Google Pay has been in the spotlight recently, and we can't help but feel like Google has something planned for I/O. Recent reports indicate that the company is gearing up to rebrand its digital wallet, bringing us back to Google "Wallet" while retaining the Google Pay name for transactions.

In some ways, it seems like a logical move, particularly given the company's desire to turn Google Pay into a "comprehensive digital wallet." It seems likely we'll hear more about Google's ambitions at I/O.

What not to expect

While we expect some hardware announcements at I/O, we wouldn't hold our breath for too much of that. Given that we're waiting for the Pixel 6a to launch, Google is unlikely to even mention the Pixel 7 at I/O. And while rumors indicate that the Pixel 7 isn't the only flagship we can expect this year, the Pixel Notepad foldable is rumored to launch sometime in October.

As mentioned before, it seems Google might tease the Pixel Watch at I/O, but a full unveiling probably won't occur until later this year, similar to how Google pre-announced the Pixel 6 series last year.

Another thing we don't expect to see is Project Iris. That's the name of Google's rumored AR headset. We've seen the company make headway in AR, particularly with Google Lens. However, the company likely wants to build its own hardware to counter Meta's ambitions. That said, we don't expect this to arrive until 2024, so we're unlikely to hear about it at I/O this year. That is if Google stays committed to the project.

What you need to know

• Google is reportedly planning to bring back the "Wallet" branding for storing digital cards.
• Google Pay would still be branded as the payment method in Wallet.
• This likely signals the first steps in Google's designs to make Google Pay a more comprehensive wallet app.

It looks like some changes are in the works for how Google stores digital payment and loyalty cards. The company may be looking to bring back the "Wallet" branding that it retired years ago in what could be another redesign of Google Pay.

The new interface was spotted by Mishaal Rahman, senior technical editor at Esper and former editor-in-chief of XDA Developers. Rahman posted a series of images in a tweet, showing off the new Wallet interface as well as a new icon.

From the images, it appears Google Wallet will be the branding for storing digital payment cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and transit passes. As it stands, these are all held within the Google Pay app for contactless payments, but it appears that Google Wallet will be the space for digital cards while Google Pay will remain as the branding for making contactless payments.

Google Wallet was once the name of Google's contactless payment solution until Google started putting all its focus on Android Pay as its new payment app. Eventually, the two services were merged into a redesigned Google Pay app. The app received yet another redesign in 2020 for the best Android phones as Google began focusing more on peer-to-peer payments, although that redesign is only available in select few regions.

It may seem a little confusing, but it appears that the resurgence of the "Wallet" brand could be a new step toward Google's desire to make Google Pay a "comprehensive digital wallet," particularly after the company failed to break into banking. This would involve an increased focus on non-payment cards such as vaccine passports, loyalty programs, and even crypto.

The Wallet app appears to come with a new icon as well, which was previously spotted by 9to5Google and appears in Rahman's screenshots. The icon seems to more closely resemble a wallet.

The screenshots also show that the app will be able to automatically pull passes and add passes from Gmail. In addition to the prominent "Add to Wallet" button, it appears as though Google is attempting to streamline the app for easy access to all your digital cards.

So far, there hasn't been an official word from Google on the Wallet app. However, from the looks of it, the app seems just about ready for primetime, so it may not be long before we receive official information from Google.

What you need to know

• Google has rolled out a minor redesign to its interface, making it easier to access NFC cards.
• The tweak apparently went live for a handful of users in mid-January.
• You'll need to update the Google Pay app to the latest version in order to get the new look.

Google Pay has gained a new quality-of-life improvement that should make your NFC payment cards more visible than they were previously. The digital wallet's interface has been slightly tweaked to give the button for your contactless cards a more prominent location.

According to 9to5Google, the new look has been available in the most recent version of Google Pay on the best Android phones since at least mid-January, though availability was limited at the time. It now appears to be available to a broader range of users.

The tweak should make it a lot easier to access your NFC payment cards without having to dig through an easy-to-miss icon. You can now easily see the button for contactless cards right at the top of the interface.

Prior to this update, that button was tucked away beneath a small icon. The new update makes contactless payments less of a pain, especially if you need to change the card you want to use.

If you haven't selected a card to make payments, the button will display the "Set up contactless" message. Otherwise, if you've already set up your card, you'll see the button that says "Ready to pay."

In addition to the new design, Google Pay also now shows your current balance right below your profile photo on the home tab. This makes it easier to find that information at a glance before proceeding to checkout.

To check out the new tweak yourself, you'll need to update your Pay app to the latest version (146.1.3). It's a welcome change that should help make the digital wallet's experience a bit more snappy.

What you need to know

• After abandoning its Plex banking plans with Google Pay, Google is hiring new executives and pushing a new strategy to compete with Apple Pay.
• Google Pay will become a "comprehensive digital wallet" that focuses more on non-payment uses like vaccine passports.
• Google has partnered with crypto companies for incorporating currencies into its digital services, but doesn't accept crypto payments yet.

Google Pay processed just 4% of contactless payments in the United States as of 2020, according to analyst Tom Noyes. And while Google had plans to offer Plex banking accounts directly through Google Pay, it abandoned those plans late last year.

Bill Ready, Google's president of commerce, told Bloomberg that "we have no intention of being a bank" and any efforts to the contrary were done "unwittingly." Instead, it has grander plans for becoming the "connective tissue for the entire consumer finance industry," which suggests it will partner with more banks over time.

Ready also told Bloomberg that Google Pay's future plans could include cryptocurrencies. "Crypto is something we pay a lot of attention to," he told the site. "As user demand and merchant demand evolves, we'll evolve with it."

For now, users can store their Bitcoin or other currencies on digital cards but cannot use crypto to pay for in-person transactions. Evidently, if enough companies start accepting crypto to justify Google building the infrastructure to process crypto payments, Google will start accepting it.

For now, Ready says, the company wants to pivot Google Pay to a "comprehensive digital wallet" for storing info like vaccine passports and tickets. The fact that Google renamed Google Wallet to Google Pay in 2018 makes this shift in priorities somewhat ironic.

As part of these new plans, Google Pay will receive a leadership shake-up. The company hired former PayPal executive Arnold Goldberg as Google Pay's new VP and general manager for its payments division. He will head a new initiative called "Next Billion Users" (NBU); you have to at least admire the ambitious branding for Google's New Year's resolution.

Google has also promoted engineer Peeyush Ranjan, who helped make Google Pay especially popular in India, as general manager for its more global efforts.

For now, Google Pay contactless payments will remain the same as ever, supported on a wide range of smartwatches. But its new leaders may make some flashy Google Pay announcements in the near future.

Google Pay is a fantastic contactless way to pay for stuff when you're out and about. The e-wallet can be used for in-store payments, offers cash back rewards and other benefits, and even shows your vaccine details in some regions. Local payments aside, you can go global with your monetary transactions. Here's how you can send money abroad with Google Pay.

Google Pay can only send money internationally from the U.S. to India and Singapore.

How to send money abroad with Google Pay

1. Download and install Google Pay on your device.
2. Open the Google Pay app.
3. Search for and select the person to whom you want to send money.Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central

1. Tap the Pay button on the bottom of your screen.
2. Choose Western Union or Wise.
3. Tap Get started to proceed.
4. Fill in all the necessary details about the transfer.
5. Tap Continue after filling everything in.
6. A sign-in prompt from Western Union or Wise will pop up. Tap Sign in to allow access.Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central

1. If you don't have an account, follow the steps to sign up for Western Union or Wise and tap Enable.
2. Read the fraud awareness warning carefully and tap Accept.Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central

1. Tap the recipient and review the transfer details.
2. Once you've checked everything, finalize the transfer and send it.

After making your international transfer, you can use the issued receipt to track the transaction. This can be done on the Western Union or Wise website once logged in with the same credentials.

Google Pay in your region

Google Pay is a multifaceted platform, and its services are currently only available in limited locations. If you're in the U.S., you're in luck because that's where you can make the most out of the Google-powered e-wallet. Even then, you'll have to make sure you have a compatible Android phone or smartwatch that supports Google Pay. iPhone owners can access the Google Pay app too.

The catch with sending money abroad is that you can't initiate an outbound transfer from anywhere but the U.S., so it's really only available in one country. To add to that, the only receiving countries supported by Google Pay's international transfer feature are India and Singapore.

Update, Sept 8 (5:30 p.m. ET): Google Pay support expands to more countries.

Update, December 7 (12:30 p.m. ET): Three additional countries added to the list

What you need to know

• Google Pay is getting expanded support in more countries.
• 16 additional countries will support contactless payments on the Galaxy Watch 4.
• The expanded support will also come to older Wear OS smartwatches "in the coming weeks."

With the launch of the Galaxy Watch 4, Google has updated plenty of its apps, some of the new app experiences that will come with the new Wear OS 3 update and are even available on older Wear OS 2 devices. Google Pay is among the apps that received a redesign, but Google also announced that it's expanding support for more countries.

As it stands, Google Pay only supports a handful of countries for contactless payments on Wear OS. Google is now adding 16 additional countries to the list, which include the following:

• Belgium
• Brazil
• Chile
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates

Support also won't be limited to The Galaxy Watch 4 or Wear OS 3. Owners of the best Wear OS watches in the listed countries will be able to make payments from their watch, and Google says that support for more countries will follow.

Aside from the improvements coming to Wear OS 3, expanding support for Google Pay goes a long way to enhancing the overall wearable experience. The update to Google Pay will arrive "in the coming weeks" for Wear OS users, including the new look that will make stored cards larger on the watch display and easier to swipe through.

Update, Dec 12 (12:30 p.m. ET) ― Google adds support for more countries

Google announced via a community post on Tuesday that Google Pay support on Wear OS is now available in three additional countries including Israel, Kazakhstan, and the Netherlands. This brings the total number of supported countries to 40.

It's a good sign that Google is bringing this feature to more regions, particularly as interest in Wear OS is up. For any Galaxy Watch 4 owners that want to get started using the app as opposed to Samsung Pay, we have a helpful guide to walk you through how to set up and use Google Pay on the Galaxy Watch 4.

Update, Sept 8 (5:30 p.m. ET) ― Google Pay is now available in 37 countries on Wear OS

Google announced this week that Google Pay is now supported on Wear OS devices in 10 additional countries. The countries include Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Singapore. This brings the total number of supported countries up to 37.

Users in supported countries that want to use Google Pay on a Wear OS watch can download the app from the Wear OS Play Store to get started making mobile payments from their wrist.

In 2012, Apple announced something it called "Passbook" — an app for the iPhone that allowed you to store digital copies of coupons, boarding passes, movie tickets, and more. Passbook evolved into Apple Wallet in 2015 following the release of Apple Pay, giving you one central location on your phone for debit/credit cards, rewards programs, tickets, passes, etc.

While Android is our preference around these parts, I'll be the first to admit that this is one area in which Apple knocked it out of the park with iOS — and continues to put Google's efforts in the digital wallet space to shame.

It wasn't until 2015, a year after Apple Pay debuted in 2014, that Google announced its contactless payment solution in the form of Android Pay (following a failed attempt to get it off the ground with Google Wallet a few years prior). Similar to Apple Pay, Android Pay allowed you to use your Android phone to pay for things at stores that accepted NFC. The process of using Android Pay was fast, simple, and Google was able to build up a large base of banks and credit unions that supported it.

That side of things was great, but something Android Pay never supported was digital passes.

2018 came around, and in February of that year, Android Pay was rebranded as "Google Pay." The goal here was to merge Android Pay and Google Wallet (Google's P2P payment service) under one umbrella, and it worked. Then, in May 2018, Google finally upgraded Google Pay with the ability to store digital passes.

Everything was looking up for Google Pay, and at the time, I genuinely believed that Google was on the right track to finally have a fully-fledged competitor to Apple Wallet. A little over a year later, however, Google Pay is still lacking. A lot.

To be clear, the act of paying for things with your debit/credit card works wonderfully. Adding cards to Google Pay is a breeze, just about every major financial institution is supported with new ones being added all the time, and using it at supported stores works without a hitch.

My issue with Google Pay has to do with the fact that its digital passes have made very little progress in the 14+ months that they've been available. A lot of major brands aren't supported at all, and for the ones that are, the functionality you get with the passes on Google Pay pales in comparison to their Apple Wallet counterparts.

On the note of missing passes, two big ones I've noticed in my usage are Delta Airlines and AMC — one of the world's largest airlines and the biggest movie theater chain on the planet.

Delta is my airline of choice, and while airplane boarding passes are technically supported in Google Pay, Delta (and American Airlines, for that matter) is nowhere to be found.

If I have an upcoming flight, I can hop on the Delta app on my iPhone, add my boarding pass to Apple Wallet, and then it'll be there for me at the time of my flight to show me my boarding QR code, which gate I'm flying out of, time of departure, etc.

On Google Pay with the Delta app, there's no such option.

To Google's credit, boarding passes that are supported are nearly identical compared to Apple Wallet passes. United and Southwest are the two biggest names that support Google Pay passes, but the fact that both Delta and American are totally MIA is unacceptable over a year since this functionality was added.

Similarly, the AMC app for iOS allows you to add digital copies of your movie tickets to Apple Wallet. Buy the ticket through the AMC app, tap "Add to Apple Wallet," and you're good to go. On the AMC Android app, that doesn't exist. No matter what you do, there's no way to add your AMC ticket to Google Pay.

A reminder here that we're talking about the largest theater chain in the world not working with Google Pay. For comparison's sake, Celebration! Cinema (a local Michigan-only theater I go to) even lets you store movie tickets on Apple Wallet. If that's not a prime example of how much work Google has to do, I'm not sure what is.

Apple Wallet passes

To add insult to injury, passes that are supported on Google Pay don't always come with the same functionality. In fact, for a lot of the passes I use regularly, there's a clear difference between them on Google Pay and Apple Wallet.

Take the Starbucks pass, for example. On Apple Wallet, I can see the design of the card I'm using and how much money is left on it in addition to the barcode that needs to be scanned. The integration is perfect, and if I want to add more money, all I need to do is tap the Starbucks logo near the bottom left of the pass to open the full app. On Google Pay, all you get is the barcode.

With AMC's Stubs rewards pass, it's the same situation on Google Pay — just a barcode and nothing else. On Apple Wallet, the AMC Stubs pass shows how many points I've earned, my next billing date, and is specially-designed based on which tier of Stubs you're subscribed to.

Google Pay passes

Finally, there's Panera Bread. Panera Bread's pass on Google Pay looks much better than some of the other ones, going as far to show how many visits you have left until your next reward. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to redeem your rewards. Instead, all you see is your membership number. The Apple Wallet pass also shows how many visits you have until your next reward, but here you can use NFC to hold the pass near a terminal at Panera to use your membership.

The reason for this, at least from what I've been able to tell, is that passes aren't integrated as tightly in Google Pay as they are in Apple Wallet.

Adding an AMC pass to Apple Wallet (left) and Google Pay (right)

If I want to add the AMC Stubs pass to Apple Wallet, all I do is open AMC, go to my membership page, and tap the "Add to Apple Wallet" button. It's integrated right within AMC and works like a charm. On Google Pay, you need to go the Google Pay app, search for the pass you want, and then either manually type in your membership number or scan the barcode of your physical card. In other words, you're just adding a barcode with no real integration for that membership. Not only do you lose out on features, but the process for adding these passes is a lot clunkier.

Who's to blame for all of this? While I can't definitively say one way or the other, this does seem to be an issue of app developers not integrating proper pass support. Google Pay does support passes, and as we've seen from companies like Southwest, they can be integrated quite nicely. For whatever reason, however, they're still mostly being ignored.

As a result of this, Google Pay is still playing catch-up to Apple Wallet. The potential for greatness is there, but if you want your digital wallet to do more than hold debit/credit cards, it's an overall worse experience.

I'm not entirely sure what Google can do (if anything) to get devs up off their butts and start taking Google Pay seriously, but it's about time something happens.

Google Pixel 4: News, Leaks, Release Date, Specs, and Rumors!

What you need to know

• Google Pay has kicked off a new challenge where you can earn $25 by obtaining four cards.
• You can also get up to $45 by referring friends and family to the digital payments app.
• The football-themed challenge is available on the app's home page and runs until November 22.

Google Pay has a brand new challenge if you're up for some extra cash, giving you the opportunity to earn $25 when you collect any four out of five cards and up to $45 for referrals.

The new "Football Challenge" is a follow-up to the previous "Spring Cleaning" event, which demanded the same requirements from participants earlier this year. To begin, you must first sign up for Google Pay rewards and then begin collecting the required number of cards.

Open to both Android and iOS users, the football-themed tasks include a trivia question. Once you've answered that correctly, you'll need to follow through with three more missions, according to 9to5Google. These include paying for two separate purchases using the Pay app at any physical shop, though this is available only on the best Android phones. Other tasks include linking a new account for financial insights, paying with Google Pay, and referring a friend.

The last challenge raises your total earnings with $15 per referral for up to three individuals. This means you can get up to $70 in cashback. However, your referrals need to make actual payments through the app before you can get your reward. Learn more about the promotion here.

In addition, if you make a $50 or higher purchase after collecting two cards during the challenge, Fanatics will give you a $30 promo code. You can sign up for the challenge right now on Google Pay's home page, and the 10-day event will end on November 22.

What you need to know

• Google no longer plans to offer bank accounts.
• The company announced its Plex service last year with the new Google Pay redesign.
• Google plans to continue supporting banks and financial institutions through Google Pay.

After announcing grand plans to offer bank accounts through its new Plex service in Google Pay, the company is now abandoning the undertaking.

The news was first broken on Friday per a tweet from Walter Bloomberg, which is affiliated with Bloomberg news. Sources indicating that the company would no longer offer bank accounts.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the news with Android Central, saying that it is shifting its focus from providing these services itself and will instead continue supporting banks and financial institutions through its app.

Google announced its plans in late 2020 alongside the revamped Google Pay experience. Plex bank accounts were set to be offered this year via a partnership with several banking institutions.

The service would offer checking and savings accounts accessible through Google Pay to easily access organized, searchable transaction history. A debit card and savings goals were also planned for the service.

While customers were encouraged to sign up for the waitlist, updates on the services were scarce, and now we know why.

The spokesperson tells us that this will not affect Google Pay; customers will still be able to use it as they normally do on the best Android phones, including making in-store payments with their Google Pay balance. Users can also continue to link their own bank accounts within Google Pay for easy access to their balance and transactions.

What you need to know

• Google Pay has rolled out the ability to save and access your COVID-19 vaccination certificate in Australia.
• The certificate can be accessed even if you're offline.
• Google says the vaccination data is stored locally on your device.

Vaccination certificates are increasingly finding importance in almost every type of public places as lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19 start to ease. For Australians, Google is making it easier to access their vaccination cards on the best Android phones and show it when necessary wherever they go.

Google has announced that Google Pay users in Australia can now save their vaccination certificates on the app and quickly access the document if they need to prove at a restaurant, for example, that they've been fully vaccinated. The vaccine information can also be accessed even if you're not connected to the internet, and it's available in the same location in the Pay app where your cards and other passes are saved in.

People who received their second dose of vaccine in the country can also log in to Medicare through the MyGov website, view their COVID-19 digital certificate, and save it to their phone. Alternatively, they can download their vaccination certificate through the Express Plus Medicare app. The feature was first rolled out in the U.S. in June, when Google updated the Passes API to allow developers who are affiliated with healthcare organizations or public health agencies to develop a digital card which can be used to demonstrate an individual's vaccination status.

Pay will display relevant details such as the type of vaccine and the date of immunization. These pieces of information are stored locally in your device instead of Google's servers for added safety. You'll also need to provide the password, PIN, or biometric data associated with your device each time you try to access those data.

It's worth noting that you don't need to have an existing Pay account to use the new feature. You can also add a shortcut for your vaccination card to your phone's home screen.

Google Pay

The Google Pay app helps you keep track of your spending as well as send and receive money. You can also store your cards for easy access on the fly.

• Free at Google Play Store

Google has been providing a digital wallet option since 2011 with Google Wallet, and since that time the service has gone through multiple phases of evolution to what we now know as Google Pay. Google Pay has become a much more well-known product, usable in millions of stores, thanks to the proliferation of NFC adoption and, in no small part, to Apple Pay. But even with all of that growth, access to contactless payments in smaller communities is still scarce.

Living in rural Kansas, my experience when going to local retailers, restaurants, and gas stations is to expect no access to Google Pay. That's not to say that I don't come across it from time to time; instead, it's rare enough of an encounter that I have been trained to not even look for it as an option.

In the past few years, I have seen an uptick in the places in my area that offer it, but that is still primarily businesses that are part of a larger chain. Even still, many of those don't have any signage up that would indicate that the point of sale (POS) terminals are NFC-ready. So, when it comes time to pay, I've already got my card out and ready to swipe, even though my TicWatch E3 is prepared and supports Google Pay.

When I venture to the smaller towns nearby, population 1000 and under, contactless payments are virtually non-existent. When I talked with one of the gas station owners in one of these towns, he said he'd heard of Apple Pay and maybe Google Pay. When asked if he planned to update his POS terminal to accept these types of payment options, he said, "Maybe, if I have to. But, what I have works, and it's not worth my hassle to change the equipment out."

Traditionally, smaller communities are comprised of an older population or more traditionally rooted people. From their way of life to how payments are handled in the various businesses, using their phone to pay for goods and services is not the first thing they think of. However, with technology permeating deeper into these communities through the younger generations and how they're exposed to payment apps like Google Pay and the benefits it provides, these merchants will see increased pressure to adapt.

While all payments at physical retailers saw a drop during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, payments made via mobile services like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay saw considerable increases in registration worldwide. According to the UK Payment Markets Summary 2021 from UK Finance, the number of 17.3 million adults registered for mobile payments in 2020 — an increase of 7.4 million in 2019. Moreso, of those, 84% of them had registered at least one payment.

While it doesn't designate how many of those purchases were online versus through a mobile device, the top Android phones or Google Pay enabled smartwatch, the interest in mobile payment options is there.

When looking at the United States specifically, a Verisk Financial Research report found that "adoption of mobile payments in the United States is making progress, albeit at a slower rate than in other developed markets, even though around 83 percent of Americans owned a smartphone at the end of 2020 (up from around 69 percent in 2015)."

On my road trip earlier this summer, I was very glad to find that nearly all of the gas stations I stopped at along the trip offered contactless payment directly at the pump. This let me simply use my watch to pay and helped keep all of my receipts in order in the Google Pay app — not to mention avoiding any potential credit card skimmers.

It's clear that larger cities, especially those with a younger or more tech-forward population, are more apt to accept a less traditional payment method. The UK Payment Markets Summary 2021 bears that out, where 89% of people who made contactless payments in 2019 were in the 34-44 age group. The lowest rate of usage was in the 65 and older age group.

When I visit locally owned businesses with younger entrepreneurs, I have found that many of these businesses offer a payment option that can accept contactless payments. Interestingly, a lot of the time, the owner has opted to use a payment terminal from Square rather than one of the leading suppliers in North America like Verifone, Ingenico, or Pax.

According to a Verisk Financial Research report, "the United States has a highly developed and competitive retail banking and payments market. However, emerging payment technologies are only now displacing comparatively old-fashioned POS systems." While small business owners in more rural communities are willing to stick with the older, non-NFC-enabled payment terminals they currently have because it still works, much of the world shows a preference towards newer payment technologies.

Retailers can obtain their POS terminal by either buying it outright, leasing it, or it gets it as part of their agreement with a transaction processing company. The cost to upgrade to a terminal that accepts NFC can range from $0 to $200 depending on the brand and company providing the hardware. For a small-town retailer, it's about more than just plugging in a new machine, it is learning a new system and terminology — and that can be offputting.

Nothing is stopping me from swiping my card at these businesses, however, it does restrict the benefits that I can use with mobile payment services like Google Pay. Many of these services offer discount or reward programs when using them at retailers in addition to online. When you open the Google Pay app on your phone, it can show you businesses nearby that you can use the service at — for me, that's a very limited list.

Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central

Being unable to use a contactless payment opinion is unlikely to cause me to choose one local business over another — at least in the short term. As risks from making payments by swiping a card through the terminal increase — card skimmers and data breaches — using a payment option like Google Pay becomes more attractive thanks to single-use transaction tokens.

I just hope that the means by which businesses in smaller communities get easier and the incentives to them become more apparent. Because while mobile payments and contactless payments aren't perfect, the choice to use these options can benefit everyone — not just those in the big city.

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What you need to know

• Google Pay lets users turn their balance into a virtual card.
• Users will be able to make contactless payments using their Google Pay balance.
• The feature is currently available for Google Pay users in the U.S.

Google Pay is giving users another option to make contactless payments, thanks to its new virtual card.

The company has announced that users in the United States can now request a virtual Google Pay balance card that will enable them to make purchases at stores that accept contactless payments.

The new feature could help streamline the process of using funds in the app instead of having to go through the process of transferring them to a bank or charge card, which could take some time to appear.

Google says that the new virtual card is safe and secure "as the full card number is never shown" and allows users to bypass using their own personal credit or debit cards when making in-person or online purchases.

Since the new Google Pay was introduced late last year for the best Android phones in select countries, the company has been hyping up the ability to send and receive payments from friends and family for person-to-person payments. The new feature extends the app's functionality, using your balance as a virtual prepaid card. Another popular payment app, Venmo, already has a physical debit card of its own, so this new feature brings Google Pay closer to parity.

For anyone who has not yet taken advantage of the new app, we can help you download and set up the new Google Pay so that you can get started sending money to your loved ones.

The new feature is rolling out now in the U.S. and will be "available to all Android users soon."

What you need to know

• Google Pay will now support COVID-19 status cards with an update to the Passes API.
• Only approved developers from recognized health organizations will be able to take advantage of this.
• It's also being limited to the U.S. first, though Google notes that it'll be coming to other countries later.

Google today announced support for digital COVID-19 vaccination cards in the U.S. in Google Pay. Today, developers who are affiliated with healthcare organizations or public health authorities will be able to use Google's Passes API to create a digital card that will enable Android users to demonstrate vaccination status or test results.

Accessing a card or pass created with this method is easy, as users will be able to create a home screen shortcut for it and access it in areas with weak internet access.

Google is working on making this secure and private for customers. Your health data is stored on whatever device you save it on. It will not be synced between devices you happen to be signed into, the company says.

Similarly, Google will not be using any data from COVID-19 cards and passes to target ads.

Finally, you'll need to have a password or other security measure protecting this data, and you'll need to enter it to display the vaccination card. Most of the best Android phones come with biometric security, so this shouldn't be too much of an issue as far as speed of access is concerned.

The new Google Pay app remains available in the U.S. and India now, but the older version will be sufficient. Indeed, Google has built Pay into Play Services, allowing users to use many of its features without having access to the full app. Additionally, the company says that installing Google Pay "is not a requirement to access COVID Cards."

As mentioned above, the rollout is beginning today, but Google is reaching out to interested developers to sign on.

It's worth noting that developer uptake may vary in non-U.S. countries with centralized healthcare systems. In the UK, for example, the UK's National Health Service offers two separate apps for viewing the vaccination status of any interested person, while Germany offers the same with CovPass.

Google has not made any significant progress in the past two years since announcing it is bringing digital IDs to Android devices, but experts say the tech giant is likely worried about privacy standards and working with several states. They add that the splashy announcement from Apple about its digital IDs "will serve as a catalyst to move Google along."

During its developers' conference in 2019, Google said that it was launching electronic IDs to Android phones. Since then, Google hasn't really spoken about any developments on the project. Google announced at the end of December that year that Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and 765 chips will be the first o support Android Identity Credential APIs, which will help implement digital IDs.

Android Central reached out to Google to get clarity on when digital IDs would come to Android Devices, but the company declined to comment. It did provide a link to a blog post it wrote about digital IDs that was published in late 2020.

In October 2020, the company said in a blog post that there is an international standard that includes a system called Mobile driving license (mDL) for using mobile apps on the phone as ID cards. Google explains that it has implemented an Identity Credential API for digital IDs in Android 11.

"Android now includes APIs for managing and presenting with identity documents in a more secure and privacy-focused way than was previously possible. These can be used to implement ISO 18013-5 mDLs but the APIs are generic enough to be usable for other kinds of electronic documents, from school ID or bonus program club cards to passports," Google wrote.

Additionally, Google wrote that its security and privacy team was actively participating in ISO committees where standards are written and also work with civil liberties groups to ensure that digital IDs have a "positive impact on our end users."

Google would rather have others create an app for digital IDs

Andrew Cornwall, a senior analyst at Forrester, explained in an email that what Google hasn't done is write an app that lets you store drivers' licenses or government IDs in the Identity Credential Store. The credential store is where an actual user's personal details are located on-device, usually in a secure element separate from the rest of a user's data.

Additionally, Cornwall explained that some states already have a system for digital IDs, like Louisiana, which has had a digital ID app since 2018, but it doesn't use Android's API or Apple's new iOS 15-based system. Oklahoma also has what it calls mID, which serves as a companion to your physical ID. Cornwall also indicated that IDEMIA, a digital ID company, has also partnered with several U.S. states but most of the states aren't beyond pilot programs yet.

"What this tells me is that Google would like someone else to go through the process of creating an app for secure IDs, while Apple is willing to reach out to at least a few governments and wants to control the IDs themselves," he said. "This fits Apple's narrative that they curate apps: Apple tells us that they'll hold your ID safely rather than having every state and/or country implement potentially insecure or poorly written apps."

Apple announced during WWDC it was implementing digital IDs in its Wallet App and will be working with several states in the U.S., though the company has not released a final list.

Cornwall added that while Google does have a form of digital ID in Google Pay, but it is used for credit cards, bank accounts, transit cards, ticketing, and loyalty cards rather than a driver's license.

Cornwall said that if Apple's digital ID app becomes the "de facto standard" that would certainly encourage vendor lock-in.

Apple has created the sunshine moment yet again for industry leaders to follow, privacy is top of mind

Neil Shah, vice-president of research at Counterpoint Research, said in an interview that Google likely didn't make any headlines on where it's at with digital IDs during its 2021 Google I/O announcement, and likely won't do so in the future until it's strengthened its security and privacy stance.

"There are multiple issues with Google's (digital ID) approach - first Google never conceptualized a universal wallet app which could hold all your identity," he said. "The main reason is possibly Google is unsure or not confident about the level of 'trust' for Google from a consumer end. Google's ad-driven business model places it two steps behind Apple on privacy and trust aspects."

Shah said just like the way Apple's change in ad-tracking privacy pushed Google to think about its model, a similar push could happen here where Apple has created a "foundation for the adoption of a particular trend."

Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at Creative Strategies in California, agreed with Shah in an interview that this is yet another sunshine moment from Apple that will jump-start what Google has tried to implement.

"I do think it is possible that Apple's move into this space will serve as a catalyst to move Google along and get more states/countries into the conversation to be able to support (digital IDs)," he said.

Bajarin also added that there are a number of reasons Google hasn't further pursued digital IDs as much as Apple has. Like Shah, he said a lot of it could be around security, as well as making sure "all their partners are unified on how it works so this sensitive information is protected and secure."

Global adoption is going to be harder than it seems

Tarun Pathak, a research director also at Counterpoint Research, also said in an interview that privacy will be top of mind for Google right now when it comes to thinking about digital IDs.

"Apple's entry into this space will just make it easier for others," he, said, agreeing with Shah and Bajarin that Google will likely be focusing on ensuring there is the right privacy framework.

"Additionally, the biggest advantage of digital IDs (from Apple), apart from convenience is that they will be much more secure and Google ideally would like to put in efforts to ace and position the security aspect even more transparently and this might take some time," Pathak said.

He explained that personal details like this are even more prone to attacks as they are so valuable.

Pathak also noted that global adoption of digital IDs is going to be a lot harder than simply joining forces with Google or Apple.

"We believe digital IDs will evolve over a while and it will require a very close working of the state authorities and standards will also develop to make it happen across the world," he said. "However, adoption will start from the states to countries to the regions and will take time."

Pathak added that the roll-out will be challenging at first and whoever does it first will leave "a lot of learning for others."

In this circumstance, however, Bajarin noted that it's not that Google is waiting for Apple to take the lead so it can see what the adoption rate is like and fix bugs if needed.

"I think Google would have liked to lead in this area, but I think they have a larger ecosystem of partners to align, as well as perhaps other immediate platform priorities, and that is why it may not have been as high on the list to release," he said.

What you need to know

• The Bay Area's Clipper Card arrives on Google Pay for easy transit payments.
• Clipper Cards can be transferred from a plastic card to the app and easily reloaded.
• Google Pay is also introducing new viewable transit passes.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) announced on Wednesday that Bay Area residents with Android smartphones are now able to use Google Pay to access their Clipper card and pay for transit.

Residents in the Bay Area will be able to transfer their existing Clipper cards to their smartphones using the new Clipper app that was also launched for Android. After launching the app and selecting the option to "Convert Clipper to Your Phone," users will just have to hold the card against their smartphone for it to transfer. From there, the card can be added to Google Pay for easy access.

If you don't already own a Clipper card, you can bypass the app and just add a new digital card straight from Google Pay. You will still need the Clipper app to add passes, but you can use either app to load funds onto the card, including auto-reload.

Source: Clipper Card

The best part about the new functionality is that it requires at least Android 5.0 (we're on Android 11 now, with Android 12 in beta) and a smartphone with NFC, which is equipped on most Android phones. That includes even the best cheap Android phones, although Motorola devices aren't supported due to "inconsistent experiences with Motorola phones."

It's important to note that the plastic card will no longer work once it's transferred to Google Pay.

In addition to the Clipper card, Google Pay is also bringing more visual tickets to the app. The feature allows users to save tickets to the app to activate immediately or at a later time. The transit agency sets the color of the visual ticket, which should make it easier for transit inspectors to recognize the pass from a safe distance (per social distancing). It's also not limited to transit and can be used for gyms, social events, and more.

The new Google Pay is currently available in the U.S., India, and Singapore, "with new markets coming soon."