latest
Google Wallet is a payment platform and secure digital receptacle for bank cards, memberships, and passes, all rolled into one app available on your Android device and your Wear OS smartwatch. But we cannot seem to overlook Google’s consistent efforts to improve the wallet app’s compatibility with various banks for convenient payments — one of the many things which makes it our favorite wallet app. 44 banks joined the roster in December, and 42 more have inked the papers to support Google Wallet in January 2024.
Gemini misses the mark as AI goes social in this week's biggest Android news
This week in Android: Google kills an app, pauses a killer feature, and births a new partnership — all before MWC
If it feels like the AI revolution is happening too fast, too bad — there's money to be had and many companies see the tech as the biggest cash cow since the dot-com boom. That became more apparent this week in Android news, as Google had to hit pause on a Gemini feature that was evidently a bit undercooked, and we found out which "unnamed large AI company" is injecting Reddit with capital ahead of its IPO. Meanwhile, a popular app has died, some Wyze cam users might be dying of embarrassment, and a pair of drop-dead gorgeous smartwatches are making headlines this week.
The Google Pay app is shutting down in the US
The app will be killed in favor of Google Wallet in June
Google loves a good rebrand. A classic example is Google Talk becoming Hangouts, then shifting course again to become Google Chat — and earlier this month, we saw it again when Google Bard was renamed to Google Gemini. But the most confusing example has to be Google Wallet, a pioneer in the NFC payments space, which eventually got combined with Android Pay and rebranded to Google Pay, only to become Google Wallet again for most users, even though Google Pay stuck around in the US, India, and Singapore. Now, Google is throwing another body on the pile and completing the circle.
How to create and use virtual payment cards on Android
A safer and smarter replacement for your physical cards
Google's virtual card feature is a safer way to make payments, both in-app and online. When you use this feature, a unique virtual card number replaces your physical card number. This way, when you check out, your actual payment details remain undisclosed, protecting against fraud and identity theft. Keep reading to learn how to create and use virtual cards on your go-to Chromebook or PC and phone.
It took Google half a year to roll out this new Wallet card type
Announced in June, National Insurance numbers can finally be added in the UK
Since launching under its current moniker in July of last year, Google Wallet has acted as the company's primary mobile payment service, allowing users to make purchases from their supported Android devices. The platform has undergone multiple name changes and design updates over time, with Google Wallet debuting in its original form all the way back in 2011, before being changed to Android Pay in 2015 and again reverting to its current title after a brief stint as Google Pay in 2018.
These are the major retailers in the US that accept Google Wallet
We compiled a list of the major US retailers who accept Google Wallet to take the guesswork out of it for you
Google Wallet offers a convenient way to make contactless payments using your Android device, regardless of the budget Android phone. You can store and manage payment cards, loyalty programs, tickets, and digital keys on your Android phone. While it uses near-field communication (NFC) technology for payments (similar to Apple Pay and Samsung Pay), its acceptance may vary among US retailers. However, it's supported by major stores.
How to remove your credit card from the Google Play Store
You have to entirely remove it from your Google account
The Google Play Store is pre-installed on most Android devices, including budget-friendly smartphones. It's an intuitive and efficient way to download and update apps on your phone or tablet, whether free or paid. Most software subscriptions can also be managed using the Play Store, making it a one-stop shop for everything relating to apps and services running on your phone.
Google Wallet not working? Here are a few quick fixes
Trouble with the tap? Here's how you can fix your payment problems
Contactless payments, whether by passing a card over a radio frequency identification (RFID) terminal or a smartphone with near field communication (NFC) over a suitable reader, make purchases faster and more convenient by eliminating the need to fiddle with a PIN pad. All Android phones come with NFC, allowing them to work with payment apps like Google Wallet. Since the app has your card details, you hold your phone to a card scanner, and it does the rest.
A new Google Pay button is ready to bring its fresh design to Android
It will even show the credit card you’re about to use
Google Pay isn't just about making it convenient to pay in stores with a single tap — it has also made the checkout process for our in-app purchases much quicker. You can simply use the cards already saved in your Google Wallet to seamlessly pay for your online shopping. To further improve this checkout experience, Google is revamping the G Pay button with Material 3 design, while also adding the ability to show your recent cards.
Yesterday, some Google Pay users were treated with exorbitant cashback rewards — we're almost talking dollars on the penny here — and the money stacked up quickly for a lucky few. People were using tap to pay to pick up a candy bar and Google was crediting their accounts with tens of dollars in rewards for "dogfooding the Google Pay Remittance experience." Unsurprisingly, Google is now walking back this erroneous giving spree.
Google Pay users are confused after receiving unexpected cashback rewards
But not so confused that they're sending them back
Read update
Google Pay is the go-to option for mobile payments on Android — well, unless you live somewhere that uses Google Wallet. Its ease of use and wide-ranging availability in stores make it the simplest option for people who no longer want to take their wallets out to pay. Some users are now enjoying an unexpected windfall, with the app depositing some surprise cashback rewards into their accounts.
Google Pay has some deals it wants you to take a look at
A new ‘Top deals for you’ section is showing up with personalized coupons
Google Pay might be a little redundant with the Google Wallet app making its return last year, but it's the more robust of the two apps with its financial insights, plus it's still home to tap and pay, and it makes it easy to send money to friends. Google hasn't abandoned the app for its newer sibling, either, as evidenced by a new feature some users are starting to see in Google Pay.
Google Pay and Chrome can now combat cybercrime with virtual cards for American Express
Visa and Mastercard support could come later this year
Even if you only shop at reputable online retailers, giving your credit card number to any website is inherently risky. No company with an online presence is immune to hackers, and that includes some of the most tech-forward businesses around — T-Mobile just had its second massive data breach in as many years, and Google Fi customers were also hit. So your best bet is to minimize your online footprint, especially when it comes to identity theft targets like your credit card. On Safer Internet Day, Google has taken a major step to help on this front with new virtual card support.
Google Pay card payments are failing on the Pixel 7 because of face unlock
Fingerprints or password/PIN only for Google Pay
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are among the best Android phones you can buy right now. Google has addressed many issues that plagued the previous-gen Pixels with the Pixel 7 series, but the phones are not perfect. Tests indicate the display drains an obscene amount of power at high brightness levels, with some users reporting scrolling issues. Pixel 7 users are also having to deal with Google Wallet Pay transactions failing without any explicit error message. Turns out, this has to do with how face unlock works on the new Pixels.
The old Google Pay app, now known as Google Wallet, expands to 6 new countries
Google Wallet is now available in 45 countries worldwide
At Google I/O this year, Google did what it loves to do most: rebranding an existing service with some additional new features to put the spotlight back on it and get onboard some new users. Google Pay—which was once known as Google Wallet—was again rechristened to Google Wallet at I/O 22 with expanded functionality that includes support for car keys, vaccine cards, and more. The updated app was rolled out in 39 countries this July. Now, the big G has further expanded Google Wallet's availability to six new regions.
What's old is new again as old G Pay app becomes Google Wallet, arriving now
It'll live alongside the redesigned Google Pay app in the US
Google might be trying its best to keep its house in order — eliminating redundant messaging and reminders apps, combining Duo and Meet into… well, Meet — but sometimes, the company just can't help itself. At this year's I/O, Google announced Wallet, marking the return of a once-defunct app to Android with an all-new purpose. After two months of waiting and preparations, Wallet is finally rolling out to users, and as expected, it's taking the space left by the legacy Google Pay app on the Play Store.
Google Pay could show which of your credit cards offer the best rewards when checking out
The change would make it super easy to get the best rewards, if it happens
Credit cards can be fantastic for things like travel or buying stuff from specific retailers given the rewards, rates they sometimes offer. But keeping track of which card is ideal for which purchase can be obnoxious with things like rotating categories and benefits changes. Nothing is set in stone yet, but Google says it wants to change that someday, showing customers which cards are best for a given purchase through Google Pay.
Google Pay becomes Google Wallet (again) in global rebranding with expanded digital item support
Support for car keys, vaccine cards, and more are on the way.
Google services come and go, especially at Google I/O, and Google absolutely loves to rename these services in a quick bid to bring fresh eyes and potentially reel in new users. Wear OS gets a new name about every two years, and both Google’s chat apps and payment services seem to rebrand and re-arrange themselves even more frequently. The most recent rebrand moved users from the old Google Pay app to a newer GPay app, a rebranded version of the India-only Tez mobile payments app, but get ready to change names again.
Google Assistant gets better at managing all the cars in your garage when paying for parking
Assistant’s new section will make it easier to get rid of old vehicles that clog up your parking payments
Google Assistant makes life a little easier, automating a whole plethora of everyday tasks—the most recent innovation being the ability to help you change breached passwords. But the Assistant is also good when you’re out and about, allowing you to kickstart the process of paying for your parking. Once you get a new vehicle, though, the process may get more complicated, with you having to select which car you want to pay for. Google Assistant’s latest “Your vehicles” settings entry helps you with that.
More signs of Google Wallet's impending launch appear online
It might even be a complete rebranding of Google Pay
Read update
When Google relaunched Pay back at the tail end of 2020, it was supposed to bring all of the company's financial features into a single app. Contactless payments still exist, but generally, the app's current direction is towards rewards cards, financial tracking, and sending or receiving money from friends. In January, we learned of Google's plans to build a "comprehensive digital wallet," and with a whole host of new screenshots, we're learning exactly what that might mean for mobile payments on Android.