Google Wallet now allows you to pay using your smartwatch.
Google has rolled out Google Wallet to Wear OS, replacing Google Pay in some countries. According to 9to5Google, more functionalities are expected to be added to the app later this year.
The wide rollout of Google Wallet yesterday primarily introduces updated branding on Wear OS. Although the wearable application functions primarily for quickly making payments with credit and debit cards, Google has more plans for Wallet on Wear OS.
"We will add more functionality and features to Google Wallet starting later this year, and expand Google Wallet support to more countries," Google said.
Google Wallet Update Breaks Button Shortcut for Some Wear OS Users
Based on the Google Wallet in Android smartphones, it is possible that Wallet on Wear OS will include transit passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, and vaccine records, as per Android Police.
Wear OS users will benefit greatly if Google Wallet will eventually support driver's licenses, student IDs, digital car keys, and house keys. Google might consider these as such things are already available on the Apple Watch.
Meanwhile, some watches are experiencing some problems as this update seems to be breaking the ability to double-click a hardware button to access payments.
To let Google Pay in Fossil Gen 5 and the TicWatch Pro 3, you have to hit a predefined button twice.
However, after the Google Wallet update, the shortcut is not launching anything. Moreover, since it is the default behavior, end users cannot set it manually. Users hope this issue will not require a full system update.
A different button can be set to launch Wallet. However, this might remove an existing shortcut. Alternatively, you can place Google Wallet as a watch face complication.
How to Use Google Wallet in Making Payment
This year, during the I/O 2022, Google announced it would release a 'new and enhanced' Google Wallet. Finally, the updated version is finally rolled out to Android and Wear OS devices.
If you're a Wear OS user, you will spot a new Wallet official icon in place of the G Pay icon.
According to Google, you must have a watch running Wear OS 2 or newer to use Google Wallet on your watch. The watch that you have must have NFC.
As Google hasn't expanded the support to a wider region yet, you need to be in a country or region where Wallet on Wear OS is supported.
Make sure that you have updated to Google Wallet app on your watch. You can always download it from the Play Store if you don't have it yet.
Google Wallet is now available to Android and Wear OS users in 39 countries. Apart from US and Singapore, where users can use both Wallet and Pay, Wallet replaced Pay in most countries.
Google Wallet is supported by Android security features such as password protection and facial recognition. Therefore, you can store your data and safely transmit encryption in Google wallet.
You can also choose to connect the Google Wallet to other apps, and the app will also store applicable data related to activities or events.
