What is Google Wallet?
Google Wallet is a mobile payment service and digital wallet developed and operated by Google that enables users to store debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards and other payment methods in one app on their mobile devices. It allows for tap-and-pay style contactless payments in-stores using near-field communication (NFC) technology.
Key features of Google Wallet include:
- Storing payment cards and methods digitally on a user's phone for contactless payments
- Sending and receiving money from other Google Wallet users
- Loyalty card storage and barcode redemption
- Ticket storage, like boarding passes and event tickets
- Automatic syncing between users' Google Account and Wallet app for access across devices
Google Wallet taps into the contactless payment infrastructure that merchants have built into their payment terminals, allowing compatible NFC-enabled smartphones to be used instead of contactless credit cards. Users can pay at over 1 million retail locations in the United States that accept contactless payments.
Google Wallet is available as a mobile app on Android devices and iPhones. It provides an easy way for users to leave their physical wallets at home and pay with just their mobile phones. After adding their payment methods into the Google Wallet app, users just have to unlock their phone and tap it at any contactless terminal to pay.