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Google Wallet in India: Discovering Its Features and Differences from Google Pay

Google Wallet Launches in India, Google introduced its digital wallet in India on Wednesday, featuring local integrations, marking its arrival nearly two years after its relaunch as a digital wallet platform in the United States.

As exclusively revealed by TechCrunch last month, Google Wallet will operate alongside the existing Google Pay app in India, maintaining its position as the company’s primary payments app in the country. In February, Google had replaced its Pay app with Wallet in the U.S.

“Google Pay is not being phased out. Google Pay remains our primary payments solution,” stated Ram Papatla, general manager and India engineering lead for Android at Google, during a press conference in New Delhi. “Wallet is specifically designed to cater to non-payment use cases.”

Google Wallet enables Android users in India to store and manage their boarding passes, gift cards, event tickets, and loyalty passes. These items can be added via QR code, barcode, or links shared through Gmail, or through a dedicated “Add to Google Wallet” button available on partner apps.

Moreover, the app facilitates the storage of transit tickets and allows users to create passes from images containing barcodes or QR codes, such as airline boarding passes, luggage tags, or parking receipts.

Initially, Google Wallet will collaborate with 20 brands, including PVR Inox, Flipkart, Air India, MakeMyTrip, Pine Labs, and Ixigo. It has also partnered with local transport operators like Kochi Metro, Hyderabad Metro, VRL Travels, and AbhiBus. Additionally, the company has joined forces with system integrators Wavelynx and Alert Enterprise to enable users to store and access their corporate badges.

Android maintains a dominant position in the Indian smartphone market, with a 93% market share, according to the latest Counterpoint data shared with TechCrunch. In 2023, out of the 152 million smartphones shipped in the country, 140 million ran Android. The smartphone penetration rate for the year stood at 70%, up from 66% in 2021, as per the market research firm’s findings.

These figures provide Google with a strong rationale for launching Wallet in India. However, it will encounter competition from Samsung Wallet, which the South Korean company offers as an all-in-one digital wallet and payments app. Apple also provides its Wallet app for iPhone users in the country, although it lacks many local integrations. Additionally, WhatsApp, an instant messaging app, offers virtual boarding passes and transit tickets from platforms like MakeMyTrip and state metro train operators.

In Short Content

Google Wallet has debuted in the subcontinent.
It does not facilitate payments; instead, it’s meant to work alongside Google Pay.
Google Pay remains the go-to payments app in India.
Google Wallet serves primarily as a digital vault for storing various items.

Introducing Google Wallet: Your All-in-One Digital Organizer

Google Wallet stands as a digital platform integrated into Android devices, offering convenient access to everyday essentials. From flight boarding passes to cinema tickets, bus passes to loyalty cards, and vital credentials, Google Wallet streamlines access to a myriad of items.

According to Google’s press release, “With Google Wallet, you can now have a single, organized destination for fast, secure access to your everyday essentials – boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, public transport tickets, gift cards, and more, making them easily accessible when you need them.”

In collaboration with 20 prominent Indian brands, Google Wallet brings forth various functionalities. Partners include PVR & INOX, Air India, Indigo, Flipkart, Pine Labs, Hyderabad Metro, Kochi Metro, VRL Travels, Abhibus, Dominos, and Shoppers Stop. Google aims to expand its partner network in the coming months.

Google Wallet: A Digital Vault with Limited Payment Capabilities in India

The recent launch of Google Wallet in India has left many users with mixed feelings, primarily because it’s positioned more as a digital vault than a full-fledged payment platform. While anticipation was high for the introduction of contactless payments, especially through Wear OS devices, Google Wallet falls short in this aspect.

Although Google Wallet offers convenience for managing digital assets like passes and credentials, its lack of payment functionalities can be confusing, especially alongside Google Pay, which remains the default payment platform in India. The absence of Wear OS support for Wallet further adds to the puzzlement, particularly considering the availability of Pixel Watch 2 in the subcontinent.

Speculation arises as to why Google may have restrained Wallet from becoming a payment hub, potentially due to Google Pay’s substantial user base and market share in India. With Google Pay commanding significant shares in both peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions, Google likely aimed to prevent user migration and avoid confusion about the fate of Google Pay.

Regulatory considerations, possibly including approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), may have also influenced Google’s decision to position Wallet primarily as a digital vault. Nonetheless, users can expect Google Wallet to gradually roll out to Android devices in India through the Google Play Store, with future Pixel devices possibly preinstalled with the app.

While users can add a Wallet shortcut to their lock screens, functionalities like the Quick Settings Wallet widget remain unavailable. Despite its limited payment capabilities, Google Wallet has partnered with various firms like PVR, Air India, MakeMyTrip, BMW, Pine Labs, Hyderabad Metro, and Domino’s for loyalty programs, travel cards, and gift cards.

Differences Between Google Wallet and Google Pay

Google Wallet and Google Pay serve distinct purposes, despite both being digital finance solutions from Google.

According to an FAQ on the Google Wallet website, Google Wallet functions as a secure and private digital wallet, providing users with quick access to various items like payment cards, passes, tickets, keys, or IDs shared on the app. While Wallet supports credit and debit cards globally, its Indian version does not include this support.

In contrast, Google Pay is primarily a financial management tool. Users can utilize the application to send money to friends and family, earn rewards, discover offers from favorite merchants, and gain insights into their spending habits, as mentioned in a blog post.

During the launch of Google Wallet in India, Ram Papatla, GM & India Engineering Lead, Android at Google, emphasized that Google Pay remains the company’s primary payments app and assured users that it is here to stay. He further clarified that Google Wallet is specifically designed for non-payment use cases.

Exploring the Key Features of Google Wallet

Google Wallet offers a range of convenient features designed to streamline everyday tasks. Here’s a breakdown of its key functionalities:

Movie or Event Tickets: Users can easily add and store movie and event tickets within the app for quick and hassle-free access.
Flight Boarding Passes: Access and store flight boarding passes directly in Google Wallet. Pixel smartphone users can conveniently add boarding passes via screenshots using the “Add to Google Wallet” button.
Brand Loyalty or Gift Cards: Store digital copies of loyalty and gift cards from various brands for easy retrieval when needed.
Public Transit Tickets: Metro and bus tickets can be stored and accessed within the wallet, eliminating the need for physical tickets.
Corporate Badge: Selected corporate identity cards can be securely stored in Google Wallet and presented as needed for access.
Digitalization of Physical Documents: Generate digital passes from images containing barcodes or QR codes, such as airline boarding passes or parking receipts, providing a convenient way to manage physical documents.
Gmail Integration: Event confirmations received in Gmail, such as movie or train tickets, are automatically synced with Google Wallet if smart personalization settings are enabled in Gmail, ensuring seamless access to important information.

With these features, Google Wallet offers users a versatile digital platform to manage and organize various essential items with ease.

How to Use Google Wallet in India

To make the most of Google Wallet in India, follow these steps:

For Pixel Smartphone Users: Google Wallet comes pre-installed on all Pixel smartphones in India, ready for immediate use.
For Non-Pixel Users: Head to the Play Store to download the Google Wallet app on your Android device running Android version 7.0 and above. Simply search for ‘Google Wallet’, download the app, and if you’re already logged into your Google account, no additional login details are required.
Adding Items: Upon launching the app, you’ll be directed to the ‘Add Items’ page. Click on ‘Add to Wallet’ and choose from categories like Photo, Loyalty, Gift Card, or Transport pass.
Selecting Categories: Choose a category based on your needs. For example, selecting ‘Transport Pass’ will guide you through the process of adding specific passes. For instance, selecting ‘Kochi Metro’ will redirect you to the Kochi Metro website, where you’ll log in with your Google account to add the metro ticket to Google Wallet.
Partnerships: Google has partnered with various brands and services, including PVR INOX, Flipkart, Air India, Shoppers Stop, and Ixigo, among others, to enhance the utility of Google Wallet for users in India.

With these simple steps, users can leverage the convenience and functionality offered by Google Wallet to streamline their digital transactions and organization of essential items.

Evolution of Google Payment Apps: From Google Wallet to Google Pay

Google has undergone several transformations in its payment app offerings over the years, starting with the introduction of the “Google Wallet” brand in 2011. Here’s a summary of the journey:

Google Wallet Launch (2011): Introduced as a mobile payment system, Google Wallet initially supported Mastercard cards issued by Citibank in the US. It allowed users to make point-of-sale purchases using near-field communication (NFC) technology.
Integration with Gmail (2013): Google integrated Google Wallet with Gmail, enabling users to send money through Gmail attachments. This feature was available in both the US and the UK.
Physical Google Wallet Card (2015): A physical Google Wallet card was launched, allowing users to make purchases at point-of-sale and withdraw cash from ATMs. However, it was discontinued in 2016 and replaced with Android Pay.
Launch of Android Pay (2015): Android Pay was introduced as a successor to Google Wallet, leveraging technology from the carrier-backed Softcard. It focused on in-store and online payments and was compatible with a wide range of Android devices.
Introduction of Hands Free (2016): Google began a public trial of Hands Free, a mobile app that allowed users to make payments without presenting a phone or card. Instead, users could authorize payments verbally and confirm their identity with a photo.
Launch of Tez and Rebranding to Google Pay (2017-2018): In India, Google launched Tez, a payments app utilizing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). It was later rebranded to Google Pay in 2018. Meanwhile, Google announced the merger of Google Wallet and Android Pay into a single app called Google Pay in 2018.
Google Pay Redesign (2020): In 2020, Google Pay underwent a significant redesign, expanding into a comprehensive personal finance app based on Google’s India-focused Tez app. The rebranded Google Pay replaced the Tez app on the Play Store.
Revival of Google Wallet (2022): In 2022, Google announced the revival of the “Google Wallet” branding as a new app integrated with Google Pay. This app, known as Google Wallet, began rolling out on Android smartphones, coexisting with the existing Google Pay app in the US.

International Deployment:

Android Pay and later Google Pay were launched in various countries, including the UK, Singapore, Australia, Ireland, and several European countries.
Google Wallet was introduced in India in 2024, operating alongside the Google Pay app as the main payment solution in the market.

Exploring the Features and Usage of Google Wallet

Google Wallet offers a range of features for users to store and manage various items, including payment cards, passes, digital keys, identification cards, and transit passes. Here’s an overview of its functionalities:

Storage of Items: Users can store payment cards 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: Google Wallet supports digital car keys, which can still be utilized even when the screen is off or the battery is depleted. However, this functionality does not extend to transit cards.
Fragmented Versions: While the Android and Wear OS versions of Wallet are currently fragmented, Google aims for feature parity across both platforms in the long term.
Comparison Between Phone and Wearable Versions: Google Wallet offers various features across different platforms, with differences in functionality and compatibility.
Usage: Passes and cards stored in Wallet require varying levels of authentication for usage, depending on the platform and type of pass.
Pass Transfers: When switching devices or factory resetting, passes limited to one device may be lost, requiring users to manually clear device-specific passes from their current devices.

With these features and usage guidelines, Google Wallet provides users with a versatile platform for storing and managing various digital items securely.

Financial Services Offered by Google Wallet

Google Wallet provides a range of financial services aimed at facilitating payments and peer-to-peer transactions. Here’s an overview:

Google Pay: Google Pay is a service integrated within Wallet that enables payments with select banks and card networks. It is available in multiple countries, including India.
Google Pay Balance: Google Pay Balance is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service managed through the separate GPay app. Operated by Pathward Bank in partnership with Google, and managed by Google Payment Corporation, users can send and receive funds through the GPay app on Android or iOS. A digital card is available for online or in-store transactions, but it’s limited to the United States. The P2P service is available in India and Singapore, but it’s scheduled to end on June 4, 2024.
QR Payments: Google Wallet supports QR payments in Brazil, allowing users to make payments via QR codes. This service supports the Visa, Mastercard, and Elo networks and is particularly useful for users without NFC functionality in their Android-powered devices.

Through these financial services, Google Wallet aims to provide users with convenient and secure payment solutions, catering to different needs and preferences.

Exploring the Ecosystem of Google Wallet

Google Wallet operates within a broader ecosystem that includes various features and technologies aimed at enhancing user experience and facilitating transactions. Here’s an overview of its ecosystem:

Passes Feature: Google Wallet includes a passes feature, allowing users to store and manage items such as loyalty cards, event tickets, and digital identification cards. Developers need access to the Google Wallet API to create and distribute these items. Passes can be shared via a link, subject to restrictions set by the issuer.
Interaction with Systems: Interactions or transactions involving passes typically occur through a 1D or 2D code, initiated by the customer. Passes may contain plain text or images in addition to codes.
Support for Contactless IDs: Google Wallet supports contactless student IDs from institutions using Transact eAccounts and CBORD GET Mobile applications. Additionally, government-issued IDs are supported in select American states.
Smart Tap Technology: Google Wallet offers Smart Tap technology for developers and merchants, enabling NFC passes to be stored within a user’s Wallet for use at compatible terminals. This technology, available through the Google Pay & Wallet Console, facilitates seamless transactions. Each pass issuer is assigned a Collector ID to configure terminals, allowing users to easily transmit multiple passes.
Wide Adoption: Smart Tap technology is utilized by various businesses worldwide for ticketing, loyalty programs, and memberships. Examples include Walt Disney World Resort, Ticketmaster, Pathé Cinémas, Redbox, Nando’s, Woolworth’s, Anytime Fitness, Keepcool, and David Lloyd Clubs.

Through its ecosystem, Google Wallet aims to streamline transactions, enhance user convenience, and facilitate seamless interactions between users and businesses.

FAQ’s for Google Wallet Launches in India

What is Google Pay, and how does it relate to Google Wallet?

Google Pay is a service integrated within Google Wallet that facilitates payments with select banks and card networks. It operates within the Google Wallet ecosystem and is available in various countries, including India.

What is Google Pay Balance, and how does it work?

Google Pay Balance is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service managed through the GPay app. It allows users to send and receive funds with others via the app on Android or iOS. The service, operated by Pathward Bank in partnership with Google, offers a digital card for transactions, but it's limited to the United States. However, the P2P service is available in India and Singapore.

Are QR payments available through Google Wallet?

Yes, Google Wallet supports QR payments in Brazil. This service enables users to make payments using QR codes and supports networks like Visa, Mastercard, and Elo. It's particularly useful for users without NFC functionality in their Android-powered devices.

In which countries is Google Pay available?

Google Pay is available in all the same countries as Google Wallet, with the addition of India. It provides users with a convenient way to make payments with select banks and card networks.

Is there a scheduled end date for the Google Pay Balance service?

Yes, the Google Pay Balance service is scheduled to end on June 4, 2024. Users should take note of this date and make necessary arrangements for their funds and transactions before the service discontinues.