Updated May 26, 2023

What is Google Wallet?

Google Wallet is a digital wallet or a payment service app for Android and iOS devices that lets you set up a payment system to buy apps and other things from the Google Play Store. One can also send or receive Money from other individuals using the service and carry out mobile payments through a mobile device or desktop computer. It can also be used to buy products such as books, music, and other things, though this option is unavailable in all countries.

How Does it Work?

A Google Wallet user creates an account consisting of an app and a Card. This account is linked to his bank account or related debit card.

So, if another Google Wallet user owes you some money, send them a request for the same. Similarly, if you have to pay someone, transfer Money from your Google Wallet balance to theirs, too, without any fee!

Why Should I Use It?

Well, this digital wallet can be everything your real wallet is! So, there is nothing to worry about, even if you are in the habit of forgetting your wallet! Besides Money, it lets you save virtual copies of your credit/ debit cards, bank details, gift cards, coupons, club membership cards, etc. You can save your traveling documents and other things in this virtual wallet. You may save these cards and other important information on the cloud or your smartphone/ tab. This means that you will no longer need to carry your wallet around.

It is not just an app to make purchases on the Google Play Store; you can use it like your debit card to purchase in physical stores. It is widely accepted across stores.
Like a debit card, you can keep as much balance as possible.
As there is no fee for transferring Money, you can save huge sums, especially if you often transfer large amounts.
It is convenient and safe—no need to carry money or plastic cards with you at all times. Your smartphone acts as your wallet, making shopping online and physically easier.
You can easily transfer Money to other users
You can also use customer loyalty programs.

Pre-requisites for Google Wallet

First, you must create a Google account and sign in using your Google ID and password. If you do not have one, create a Google account by signing up.

As mentioned above, you can use it on your personal computer and a smartphone or other related device.

1. Signing in

We will first sign in by following these steps:

Open the browser and log in to https://wallet.google.com.
You will be asked to sign in to your Google account, and the `Add a Card’ page will open up, where you will provide some personal details and credit/ debit card information to create your Google Wallet card.
Now click on “Accept and Create.”

2. Verifying

It is important to verify your identity to keep your account secure. This gives you access to certain online features such as free Card account activation, round-the-clock fraud monitoring, and notifications.

For this:

Go to the settings page by clicking the settings button in the top-right corner of your Google Wallet homepage.
Carefully examine that the information provided is correct and click on ‘Verify.’

Verifying your identification is mandatory per financial regulations for transactions exceeding a given limit or certain types of transactions. You must verify basic details such as your name, address, date of birth, etc.; the information will be recorded for such transactions.

3. Setting up a PIN

PIN or Personal Identification Number identifies you with the financial transaction and is an important security measure. You can withdraw money from your wallet using the PIN and carry out other financial transactions.

To set up the PIN:

Go to Settings, as mentioned in the above step.
When you click on the ‘Set PIN’ option, you will be prompted to create a 4-digit password for the wallet.
For confirmation, provide the same PIN again and click “Create a PIN.”

The PIN is an important safety measure for accessing the app or financial transactions, such as sending or withdrawing Money from ATMs.

Although setting up a PIN is not mandatory, it can prove vital to your account’s security.

4. Installing the App

After completing the above steps, you must install the app on your device to use Google Wallet. To do that:

Go to the Google Wallet homepage.
Click the “Install now” button at the screen’s upper right-hand corner on the Google Wallet homepage. You will be directed to Google Play.
You can download the app from here by clicking on ‘INSTALL.’
Once the installation is complete, click on Open.
Now log in using your Google account and Wallet PIN.

5. Add Money to the account

To start using your wallet, add Money to your account from a bank account, debit, or credit card. However, you will be required to pay a small fee of 2.9% for using a debit/ credit card. Hence bank account transfer is the ideal mode of adding Money to your wallet. The amount of money added will reflect as a Google Wallet balance. This is the amount available in your virtual wallet for spending or using for transfers etc. With this balance, you can buy apps on the Google Play store, shop with online [portals, make payments, and use a Google Wallet card in stores.

Once you have used up the balance, you can add more Money to your account.

Follow the given steps to add money to your Wallet balance:

Open the Google Wallet app.
Go to the home screen and select “Wallet Balance” by tapping on it.
Tap on the “Add Money” option to open it.
Select a source of adding Money, i.e., bank account, debit card, or credit card.
Mention the amount you would like to add.
Tap on “Review” Here, you can confirm or edit the amount and your funding source.
Tap on “Add money.”

6. Activate the Google Wallet Card

This card can be handy, especially for in-store shopping. But this is not a default feature; you must request the same to procure it.

To get the Wallet card, go to the Wallet homepage and request the card by selecting “Wallet Card and app. It will arrive by regular mail at the address provided by you.

To start using it, you need first to activate it. This can be done in one of the two ways mentioned below:

Activate through the Google Wallet app on your Android or iOs phone.

Go to the Homepage google.com. Now enter your credit card details. It will be activated.

On being activated, you can start using a Google Wallet card to spend your balance. Remember, there is no fee for requesting or activating the card. You can use it both as a credit card and a debit card.

Using Google Wallet

There are many ways in which it can use,

1. Google Wallet Purchases

With a Google Wallet account, you can make purchases in three ways:

Using a Google Wallet account
Using your Smartphone
Using Google Wallet Card

You can buy products online using Google Wallet. Some apps will have a “Buy with Google” button on checkout. This signifies that they enable you to make payments using it. You can also use it to make purchases on popular portals such as Google Play, Drive, YouTube, and other Google products.

You can also use your smartphone to make purchases through the mobile app. To do so, tap your phone to make payments in stores having a contactless payment terminal. Hold the device close to the payment reader and enter your Wallet PIN if you have one.

You can use Google Wallet Card in stores that do not have a contactless payment reader. You must choose to use it as a debit or credit card. You may also be asked to provide Google Wallet PIN. The card is accepted at most places that accept MasterCard.

2. Send & Receive Money to Friends and Business

As mentioned in this article, it is an efficient way to send or receive Money to others. The person you send the Money to must also have a Google Wallet account. If an individual not having a Google Wallet account receives a request to accept Money, they would be asked to first sign-up for Google Wallet.

If you have not verified your identity, as mentioned in step 2, you will be asked to do so if you have to send money to anyone. Money can be sent through the mobile app or the Google Wallet website on your desktop. Money can be sent in one of the three ways mentioned below:

Through PC: On the Google Wallet homepage on your PC, click on the “Send Money” option on the left sidebar.
Through Smartphone: In the Google Wallet mobile app, tap “Send Money.” Button.
Gmail: Compose an email to the recipient and click on the “$” icon in the attachment field.

A recent update enables users to send cash through SMS messages to any US number.

3. Join Loyalty Programs

Most retail store chains have loyalty programs for customers, where every purchase earns them some points that can be redeemed for future purchases. Just as you carry all the loyalty cards in your physical wallet, Google Wallet can virtually carry all your existing loyalty program cards. Just scan the barcode or type the numbers on the card to add them to your wallet.

To join new loyalty programs from the app, click on the “+” button in the top right corner under “Loyalty programs,” then click on the names of the merchants you want to add and get status updates, reward-point alerts, and messages from them.

You can also view discount offers and deals with merchants. To do so, click the “Loyalty programs” button on the Google Wallet homepage or mobile app. You can also save these offers when prompted to do so.

4. Transaction Log

It keeps a record of all your transactions. So you don’t need to worry about keeping a tab on them. Receive receipts for all transactions through your Gmail account and as a Google Wallet app n your smartphone. You can also keep track of all the transactions done through Google Wallet. To view transactions, tap “My Wallet” in your mobile app or click “Transactions” on the website.

Track your online purchases, view order history, and get shipping alerts using the “Orders” feature in the mobile app’s sidebar.

5. Balance Alerts & Automatic Transfers

You can adjust its settings such that it will send you an alert when your wallet balance drops below the given limit. This will enable you to quickly add sufficient funds to your account and save you from unwanted hassle and embarrassment while using your card or account.

You can also set your account for automatic transfers periodically to always keep your wallet trustworthy.

After going through this article, you must be convinced that a virtual wallet is a new way to shop, send and receive payments after paper and plastic currency.

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