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Google Wallet (or simply Wallet) is a digital wallet platform developed by
Google Google LLC (, ) is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial ...
. It is available for the Android, Wear OS, and
Fitbit Fitbit is a product lining, line of wireless-enabled wearable technology, physical fitness monitors and activity trackers such as smartwatches, pedometers and monitors for heart rate, quality of sleep, and stairs climbed as well as related soft ...
OS operating systems, and was announced on May 11, 2022, at the 2022
Google I/O Google I/O, or simply I/O, is an annual developer conference held by Google in Mountain View, California. The name "I/O" is taken from the number googol, with the "I" representing the first digit "1" in a googol and the "O" representing the s ...
keynote. It began rolling out on Android smartphones on July 18, 2022.


History

The "Google Wallet"
brand name A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
was first used for the company's
mobile payment Mobile payment, also referred to as mobile money, mobile money transfer and mobile wallet, is any of various payment processing services operated under financial regulations and performed from or via a mobile device. Instead of paying with cas ...
system of the same name, which was introduced in 2011 before being merged with Android Pay into a new app called Google Pay in 2018. The old Wallet app, with its functionality reduced to a peer-to-peer payments service, was rebranded Google Pay Send before it was discontinued as well in 2020. In 2020, the Google Pay app underwent an extensive redesign based on Google's India-focused Tez app, expanding into an all-encompassing personal finance app. This replaced the Tez app on the Play Store, while the 2018 Google Pay app continued to co-exist as a separate, pre-installed app on Android smartphones.


Google Wallet (2011) launches

Google demonstrated the original version of the original Google Wallet app at a press conference on May 26, 2011. The first app was released in the US only on September 19, 2011. Initially, the app only supported Mastercard cards issued by
Citibank Citibank, N.A. ("N. A." stands for "National bank (United States), National Association"; stylized as citibank) is the primary U.S. banking subsidiary of Citigroup, a financial services multinational corporation, multinational corporation. Ci ...
. On May 15, 2013, Google announced the integration of Google Wallet and
Gmail Gmail is the email service provided by Google. it had 1.5 billion active user (computing), users worldwide, making it the largest email service in the world. It also provides a webmail interface, accessible through a web browser, and is also ...
, allowing users to send money through Gmail attachments. While Google Wallet was available only in the United States, the Gmail integration was made available in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. In 2015, a physical Google Wallet card was launched as an optional addition to the app, which allowed users to make purchases at point-of-sale (in stores or online) drawing from funds in their Google Wallet account, attached debit card account, or bank account. The card could also be used to withdraw cash at ATMs with no Google-associated fee, and could be used like a debit card for virtually any purpose, including such things as renting a car. The Wallet Card was discontinued on June 30, 2016, and replaced with Android Pay. The original version of Google Wallet allowed users to make point-of-sale purchases with their mobile devices using
near-field communication Near-field communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of or less. NFC offers a low-speed connection through a simple setup that can be used for the boots ...
(NFC) technology. As of September 2015, however, Google dropped NFC from Google Wallet, offering the technology only through Android Pay, which was a separate application available only to Android users. As a result, any gift cards, loyalty programs, and promotional offers stored in an older version of Google Wallet could no longer be used.


Android Pay launches

Originally launched as Android Pay, the service was released at
Google I/O Google I/O, or simply I/O, is an annual developer conference held by Google in Mountain View, California. The name "I/O" is taken from the number googol, with the "I" representing the first digit "1" in a googol and the "O" representing the s ...
2015. Android Pay was a successor to and built on the base established by Google Wallet which was released in 2011. It also used technology from the carrier-backed Softcard—Google had acquired its intellectual property in February 2015. At launch, the service was compatible with 70% of Android devices and was accepted at over 700,000 merchants. The old Google Wallet still powered web-based Play Store purchases and some app-based peer-to-peer payments. In 2016, Google began a public trial in
Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that is a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical area of the Santa Clara Valley ...
of a related
mobile app A mobile application or app is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a smartphone, phone, tablet computer, tablet, or smartwatch, watch. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop appli ...
called Hands Free. In this system, the customer does not need to present a phone or card. Instead, a customer announces that they wish to "pay with Google" and give their initials to the cashier, who verifies their identity with a photo previously uploaded to the system. The customer's phone will only authorize payment if its geographic location system indicates that it is near a participating store. On September 18, 2017, Google launched a payments app in India known as Tez, utilizing the
Unified Payments Interface Unified Payments Interface, commonly known as UPI is an Indian instant payment system as well as protocol developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The interface facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer (P2P) and pe ...
(UPI). On August 28, 2018, Google rebranded Tez to Google Pay.


Android Pay and Google Wallet become Google Pay

On January 8, 2018, Google announced that Google Wallet would be merged into Android Pay, with the service as a whole rebranded as Google Pay. This merger extends the platform into web-based payments integrated into other Google and third-party services. It also took over the branding of
Google Chrome Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google. It was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows, built with free software components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox. Versions were later released for Linux, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, an ...
's autofill feature. Google Pay adopts the features of both Android Pay and Google Wallet through its in-store, peer-to-peer, and
online payment An e-commerce payment system (or an electronic payment system) facilitates the acceptance of electronic payment for offline transfer, also known as a subcomponent of electronic data interchange (EDI), e-commerce payment systems have become increa ...
s services. The rebranding began to roll out as an update to the Android Pay app on February 20, 2018; the app was given an updated design and now displays a personalized list of nearby stores that support Google Pay. The rebranded service provided a new
API An application programming interface (API) is a connection between computers or between computer programs. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how to build ...
that allows merchants to add the payment service to websites, apps, Stripe, Braintree, and
Google Assistant Google Assistant is a virtual assistant software application developed by Google that is primarily available on home automation and mobile devices. Based on artificial intelligence, Google Assistant can engage in two-way conversations, unlike ...
. The service allows users to use the payment cards they have on file in their Google Account.


Google Pay becomes Google Wallet (2022)

In January 2022, ''
Bloomberg News Bloomberg News (originally Bloomberg Business News) is an international news agency headquartered in New York City and a division of Bloomberg L.P. Content produced by Bloomberg News is disseminated through Bloomberg Terminals, Bloomberg T ...
'' reported that the company was planning to transform Google Pay into a "comprehensive digital wallet", following the app's reported slow growth and the shutdown of Plex. In April, it was reported that Google was planning to revive the "Google Wallet" branding in a new app or interface, and integrated with Google Pay. Google officially announced Google Wallet on May 11, 2022, at the 2022
Google I/O Google I/O, or simply I/O, is an annual developer conference held by Google in Mountain View, California. The name "I/O" is taken from the number googol, with the "I" representing the first digit "1" in a googol and the "O" representing the s ...
keynote. The app began rolling out on Android smartphones on July 18, replacing the 2018 app and co-existing with the 2020 Google Pay app in the U.S. While the app name itself was changed from Google Pay to Google Wallet, the service name of actually paying for things online or in-store remains as "Google Pay."


International deployment

In its UK launch, Android Pay supported Mastercard, Visa, and debit cards from many of the UK's major financial institutions including
Bank of Scotland The Bank of Scotland plc (Scottish Gaelic: ''Banca na h-Alba'') is a commercial bank, commercial and clearing (finance), clearing bank based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is part of the Lloyds Banking Group. The bank was established by the Par ...
, First Direct, Halifax,
HSBC HSBC Holdings plc ( zh, t_hk=滙豐; initialism from its founding member The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) is a British universal bank and financial services group headquartered in London, England, with historical and business li ...
,
Lloyds Bank Lloyds Bank plc is a major British retail banking, retail and commercial bank with a significant presence across England and Wales. It has traditionally been regarded one of the "Big Four (banking)#England and Wales, Big Four" clearing house ...
, M&S Bank,
MBNA MBNA Corporation was a bank holding company and parent company of wholly owned subsidiary MBNA America Bank, N.A., headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, prior to being acquired by Bank of America in 2006. History The former Maryland National ...
and
Nationwide Building Society Nationwide Building Society is a British mutual financial institution and the largest building society in the world. As of 2024, it serves over 16 million members and operates entirely for their benefit, without shareholders. The society was e ...
"with new banks being added all the time", according to Google.
NatWest National Westminster Bank, trading as NatWest, is a major Retail banking, retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom based in London, England. It was established in 1968 by the Corporate merger, merger of National Provincial Bank and We ...
, RBS and
Ulster Bank Ulster Bank is one of the traditional Big Four Irish clearing banks. The Ulster Bank Group was subdivided into two separate legal entities: National Westminster Bank Plc, trading as Ulster Bank (registered in England and Wales and operating i ...
launched on September 14, 2016. On September 8, 2016, it was reported that UK banks TSB and Santander would be participating in the following weeks. Android Pay was launched in Singapore on June 28, 2016 and in Australia on July 14, 2016. Android Pay launched in
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
on December 7, 2016, and was initially available to customers of AIB and KBC, having since been extended to
Bank of Ireland Bank of Ireland Group plc () is a commercial bank operation in Ireland and one of the traditional Big Four Irish banks. Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history. At ...
and
Ulster Bank Ulster Bank is one of the traditional Big Four Irish clearing banks. The Ulster Bank Group was subdivided into two separate legal entities: National Westminster Bank Plc, trading as Ulster Bank (registered in England and Wales and operating i ...
. The service works with both credit and debit cards. On December 21, 2018, Google Payment obtained an e-money license in
Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
the license will enable Google to process payments, issue e-money, and handle electronic money wallets in the EU. On November 17, 2020, Google Pay was enabled by Mastercard in ten new European countries:
Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...
,
Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
,
Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
,
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
,
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
,
Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
, Lithuania,
Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
,
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
, and
Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
. Cardholders of participating Mastercard partner banks for these countries will be able to use the Google Pay service through their respective mobile banking apps. On June 30, 2022, it was announced at the Google for
Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
event that payment method Google Pay & the Google Wallet app would soon be available in Mexico. Google Wallet was introduced in
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
on 8 May 2024, albeit it will function in tandem with Google Pay mobile app, the main payment solution in the market.


Features

Google Wallet allows users to store items such as
payment card Payment cards are part of a payment system issued by financial institutions, such as a bank, to a customer that enables its owner (the cardholder) to access the funds in the customer's designated bank accounts, or through a credit account and ...
s for use via Google Pay, as well as passes such as loyalty cards, digital keys, digital identification cards, transit passes, event tickets, and health passes. Digital car keys in Google Wallet can still be utilized when the screen is off or the battery is depleted. Although the Wear OS and Android versions of Wallet are currently fragmented, Google has stated that its "long-term goal is for feature parity on your watch and phone," though as of 2024, new features continue to be launched without parity on all platforms. At
Google I/O Google I/O, or simply I/O, is an annual developer conference held by Google in Mountain View, California. The name "I/O" is taken from the number googol, with the "I" representing the first digit "1" in a googol and the "O" representing the s ...
2024, Google announced that "expanded support for passes of all types" would be coming to Wear OS and Fitbit OS.


Comparison between phone and wearable versions


Skip device unlock & Battery depletion

Most NFC passes can be transmitted when the Android device is locked, but the screen must be lit (Always On Display does not count.) This includes most compatible transit cards, loyalty passes, tickets, and campus IDs. However, government IDs can only be used when the device is unlocked. Only one class of NFC passes allows usage when the screen is unlit or the battery is depleted: car keys.


Usage

Passes and cards stored in Wallet require varying levels of authentication in order to convey to a reader. * = except Clipper


Pass Transfers

When switching devices or factory resetting, passes that are limited to one device have the potential to be lost, as Android/Wear OS does not automatically remove data from Wallet when the aforementioned processes are initiated. The user must remember to clear device-specific passes, such as transit cards, IDs, and keys, from their current devices.


Ecosystem

Google Wallet has a passes feature, which exists in a larger ecosystem. They are presented below the user's payment cards and can be sorted manually. Developers must first be granted access to the Google Wallet API before they can author such items. Passes can be shared to other users via a link, so long as the issuer of said pass does not restrict its addition to more than one user's Wallet. In its simplest form, an interaction (or transaction) between a pass and a system is facilitated by a 1D or 2D code, although it requires the customer to initiate the activity. Passes can also contain nothing but plain text or an image. In addition to retailer-specific passes, Google Wallet also supports contactless student IDs that can be added through the Transact eAccounts and CBORD GET Mobile applications. Government-issued IDs are also supported in six American states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico.


Smart Tap

Google Wallet offers Smart Tap technology for use by developers and merchants that enables NFC passes to be stored within a customer's Google Wallet for use at a compatible terminal. Google offers the technology free of charge through the Google Pay & Wallet Console. Each pass issuer is given a Collector ID to use to configure their compatible terminals. If multiple passes within a user's Wallet match a terminal's Collector ID, a carousel will appear when tapping, allowing the user to tap their device, swipe to the next pass, and then repeat the process until all desired passes are transmitted. This technology is currently used by a variety of businesses worldwide for a wide range of uses.
Walt Disney World Resort The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment resort complex located about southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States. Opened on October 1, 1971, the resort is operated by Disney Experiences, a division of the Walt Disney Company. ...
(USA),
Ticketmaster Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC is an American ticket sales and distribution company based in Beverly Hills, California, with operations in many countries around the world. In 2010, it merged with Live Nation under the name Live Nation Ente ...
(USA & UK), and Pathé Cinémas (France) use it for ticketing.
Redbox Redbox Automated Retail, LLC was an American video rental and streaming media company, based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois west of Chicago. Redbox specialized in automated DVD rental kiosks, and operated transactional and ad-supported streamin ...
(USA),
Nando's Nando's (; ) is a South Africa, South African multinational fast casual restaurant chain that specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled, peri-peri style Chicken as food, chicken. Founded in Johannesburg in 1987, Nando's operates over 1,200 outl ...
(UK & Ireland), and Woolworth's (Australia) use it for loyalty programs. And Anytime Fitness (Globally), Keepcool (France), Club Lime (Australia), & David Lloyd Clubs (UK) use it for memberships.


Financial services


Google Pay

Google Pay is a service within Wallet that allows for payments with select banks and card networks. Currently available in a subset of the countries that support Google Wallet.


QR Payments

Wallet allows for QR payments in Brazil. This service supports the Visa, Mastercard, and Elo networks, as well as via Pix, and is primarily intended for users that do not have NFC functionality in their Android-powered devices.


Availability


Supported countries

, Google Wallet is available in 146 countries worldwide for both Android, Wear OS & Website. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (includes ) * (includes , , , and ) * * * * * * * * * * * * * = Not available for Fitbit OS ** = Google Pay functionality available through Google Pay app


Upcoming

* * * * *


Region locking

Google Wallet prohibits FeliCa-based payment, transit, and loyalty functionality (e.g. Suica, PASMO, WAON, etc.) from being accessed on non-Japanese devices by restricting the initialization of the required third-party Osaifu-Keitai middleware apps on both Android & Wear OS. However, users have discovered ways to enable the functionality on non-Japanese models of
Pixels In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest addressable element in a dot matrix display device. In most digital display devices, pixels are the sma ...
via rooting. This behavior is in contrast to other wallets such as Apple Wallet, which allow users with any regional device model (iPhone 7 or later) to add FeliCa-based cards. In turn, users with Japanese devices cannot access North American & European transit cards such as
SmarTrip SmarTrip is a contactless stored-value smart card payment system managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) uses a compatible payment system called CharmCard. A reciprocity ...
and Pop, though there is a workaround via previewing a route in Google Maps that uses the desired fare payment method, and selecting the banner that offers to add said card to Wallet. Campus IDs are also locked to devices bought in the United States of America, Canada, and Australia. Google claims support for international devices is "coming soon," though this has been promised for several years as of 2024. In addition, UWB functionality for car keys is limited to regions that allow the frequency to be broadcast in personal mobile devices by law.


Supported loyalty programs

These programs are conveyed through NFC through Google Wallet's Smart Tap feature. Some of these can be added through the Google Wallet app directly, while others must be added through the respective retailer's app or website. Programs that support One Tap are conveyed at the same time as a payment card stored in Google Wallet. Conversely, Two Tap programs are redeemed in a sequential manner, where a loyalty pass is scanned first, and then payment can be presented.


Supported

public transport Public transport (also known as public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) are forms of transport available to the general public. It typically uses a fixed schedule, route and charges a fixed fare. There is no rigid definition of whic ...
systems

Due to the open nature of the Android platform, some transit cards are only available through other Android-based mobile wallets or via their own apps (e.g. Navigo for Samsung Wallet or TAP for Android). Transit cards that support direct provisioning can be issued within the Google Wallet app itself, without needing to download a separate third party application. Some public transport systems listed here support skipping verification with Google Pay on Android and Wear OS, wherein the only requirement for transmitting a payment or transit card is to have the screen awake. This is not supported on Google Pay for Fitbit OS, however. Users with Fitbit watches must open the Wallet app time each time they scan their fare payment method (except FeliCa-based fare methods). All FeliCa-based cards require separate apps to be used and managed by Wallet. Suica and PASMO require the Osaifu-Keitai app, and Octopus requires the Octopus app. All these cards are region-locked and cannot be added by foreign tourists. Transit loyalty cards are passes that can be linked to one payment card in a user's Wallet. Similarly to a transit card, it will keep track of rides made on the system and offer fare caps. However, there is no standalone balance. All funds are pulled directly from the linked payment card. * = Clipper on Wear OS cannot be used without opening Wallet beforehand.


Upcoming


Supported car keys

These car models can be unlocked and started via NFC with select devices running
Android 12 Android 12 is the Android version history, twelfth major release and 19th version of Android (operating system), Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. The first beta was released on May 18, ...
/ Wear OS 5 or later, most notably the
Pixel 6 The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are a pair of Android (operating system), Android phablet smartphones designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. They collectively serve as the successor to the Pixel 5. T ...
or later. In addition, certain car models that support operation via UWB (AKA "passive entry") require an UWB compatible device, such as the Pixel Fold, Pro models of Pixel 6 and later devices, or the Pixel Watch 3, for enhanced functionality.


Supported government-issued identifications

These territories permit their residents to save their government-issued identification credentials in Google Wallet. Mobile IDs in Google Wallet support three personal identification standards: ISO 18013-5, ISO 23220-4, and NIST 800-63. Users have a choice whether to present their ID via NFC or QR. Once the credential is read, the ID holder must confirm the personal information they wish to share (full name, age, etc.) The transmission to the reader device will be completed over BLE after the presentation is fully verified. Google has also announced plans for added credentials to be able to be requested by apps to present virtually in the future. Available for devices running Android 9 or later.


Upcoming


Other non-government issued identifications

These are ID passes issued by Google that utilize information from an individual's government-issued ID, but the digitized pass itself is not considered to be "government-issued."


Device-specific & region-locked features

Some features in Wallet are locked to certain devices that have additional hardware or software that aren't included in other Android/Wear OS devices, such as secure elements or licenses for certain region-specific middleware.


Car keys

Some devices may need Android OS or Play System updates before being compatible. The Pixel Watch 3 must be paired with a compatible Pixel phone to use digital keys.


Transit cards


e-Money cards


See also

*
Apple Wallet Apple Wallet (or simply Wallet, known as Passbook prior to iOS 9) is a digital wallet developed by Apple Inc. and included with iOS and watchOS that allows users to store Wallet passes such as coupons, boarding passes, Campus card, student ID c ...
* Samsung Wallet * Campus card


References


External links

* {{Digital payment providers Android (operating system) software Internet properties established in 2018 Internet properties established in 2022
Wallet A wallet is a flat case or pouch, often used to carry small personal items such as physical currency, debit cards, and credit cards; identification documents such as driving licence, identification card, club card; photographs, transit pass, b ...
Mobile payments Online payments 2018 software