What is Google Wallet? How is it different from Google Pay?

Here is everything you need to know about Google’s all-new Wallet app in India:

Available only for Android smartphones

Google Wallet app can be downloaded from the Play Store (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Google Wallet is an Android-exclusive app. For some reason, if you can’t directly find the app by searching the Play Store, go to the company’s official website and it will redirect to the installation page on the Play Store. For now, the Google Wallet app is only compatible with select phones running on Android 9 or the newer versions.

Setting up the Google Wallet is a fairly straightforward process. If you are already logged in to a Google account, signing up to Wallet will take only a few clicks. Once set up, users can add their flight tickets, movie tickets, and vouchers from select partners.

Find all your essentials in one place on your Android phone with Google Wallet 🤳

Download the app from Play Store to find your boarding passes, loyalty cards, metro cards, and more…safe and secure, even without internet ♥️

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/oauBdjK6Sc pic.twitter.com/SsaKyKzFFR

— Google India (@GoogleIndia) May 8, 2024

During the launch, Google confirmed it has partnered with over 20 brands like Air India, Flipkart, PVR, Inox, Dominos, and more. Other than boarding passes and tickets, Google Wallet can also offer rewards from loyalty programs like MakeMyTrip, IKEA, MacDonald’s, Croma, and more. Users can also add gift cards from partners like Taj, ITC hotels, Hamleys, Lenskart, and more.

If you are someone who frequently uses public transportation, those details can also be added to the Wallet app. However, right now, Kochi Metro is the only supported partner in the country.

How to add a pass to Google Wallet?

Google Wallet can also store digital car key from select brands (Express Photo)

To add a pass to the Google Wallet, one needs to scan a photo or a physical copy of the pass with a barcode or a QR code. Once added, these will be synced to the user’s Google account and can be accessed on multiple devices. Select BMW car owners can also add their digital car key to the Wallet app.

To add a pass to the Google Wallet, click on the ‘add to wallet’ icon at the top of the screen > if you have a physical card or a picture, choose the first option, and scan it to add. Similarly, if you have a digital pass, select the service provider from the list, and enter your phone number to add it to the wallet.

To add a gift card to the Wallet app, you need details like card number, PIN, and balance, and you can also add a note. Once added, the gift card balance will be visible on other Google services like Maps and shopping, which can also be disabled from the settings menu.

Old passes can be archived and expired passes will automatically get archived on the Google Wallet app.

How different is it from Google Pay?

Some of the prominent partners of Google Wallet (Express Photo)

In India, Google Pay and Google Wallet are two entirely different apps. As confirmed by the company, they will continue to co-exist. Google Pay is a digital payment app that uses UPI, and can also store RuPay credit cards now. Google Wallet cannot be used to make any sort of payment.

If you are a Samsung user, check out the Samsung Wallet app, which has the capability of both Google Wallet and Google Pay. If you are an iPhone user, Apple also has a first-party Wallet app, which works similar to the Google Wallet in India.