Google originally had Google Wallet, which was a way to make online purchases. You could upload all your credit and debit cards into Google Wallet, allowing you to easily switch between cards when you made purchases online.
In 2018, Google decided to restructure some of its consumer financial products and launched Google Pay, which was a combination of Google Wallet and Android Pay. Google Pay offers the same card library feature as Google Wallet, but comes with some added benefits and functionality.
How Does Google Pay Work?
Google Pay is an app available on the Google Play Store. Once you download it on your phone, you can use it to:
- Send and receive payments from friends and family
- Pay for online purchases
- Make contactless payments from your phone
- View account balances and spending histories
- Get special cashback rewards via promotions
Set up a payment method for contactless transactions
If you add one or more payment methods to Google Pay, you can set up contactless payments.
- Open the Google Pay app .
- At the top left, tap Menu Payment methods.
- Next to the payment method you want to set up for contactless payments, select Enable contactless.
- Follow the instructions to
Important: When you set up contactless payments in the Google Pay app, your payment method automatically adds to your Android device settings.
- If you uninstall the Google Pay app, your payment method stays in your Android device settings and can still be used.
- If you remove your payment method from the Google Pay app, it’s automatically removed from your device too.
Pay in a store
Step 1: Wake up & unlock your phone
- Look for the Google Pay symbol or contactless payment symbol at a contactless payment terminal near checkout.
- Unlock your phone or launch Google Pay on your Wear OS watch.
- Hold your phone or watch over the terminal and wait until you see a checkmark or hear the beep confirming the transaction.
