Google Wallet rolls out in India; here’s how to use it

Android smartphone users will soon be able to keep track of everything from their documents to their movie tickets in one place, thanks to Google Wallet. The digital wallet app was rolled out to a bigger audience after Google accidentally listed it on its Play Store last month. However, there’s still a catch to know before you end up installing it: You can’t make payments. Confused? Read on to know more: 

5 things Google Wallet can do for you

Google has collaborated with 20 service providers and leading brands to enable various functions on Google Wallets. Some of these include PVR & INOX, Air India, Indigo, Flipkart, Pine Labs, Hyderabad Metro, Kochi Metro, VRL Travels, Abhibus, Dominos, and Shoppers Stop. While the brand plans to add more titles to this list in the near future, here’s what it can currently do for you: 

Store your movie tickets: You can add your pre-booked movie tickets to Google Wallet for convenient access. This means the next time you’re running late, you can simply swipe open the app and rush into the cinema hall. 

Flight boarding passes: Like movie tickets, you can also add your upcoming flight boarding passes to the app to have them in one place. Google Pixel users can simply add it by screenshotting the ticket and adding it to the wallet using the ‘Add to Google Wallet’ button. 

Public transport tickets: You can also add bus or train tickets to this app, as long as the service provider is enrolled with Google Wallet. 

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Corporate ID cards: As of today, select ID cards can be stored or presented using the Google Wallets app. 

Digitalising your documents: Everything with a QR code, including parking receipts, can be stored on your Google Wallet app. 

Apart from this, any event confirmations on your Gmail or Google calendar will automatically find their way to the Wallet app. However, you need to ensure that smart personalisation settings are enabled on your Gmail account. 

Why can't you make payments using Google Wallet?

Google mentioned how its digital wallet app will focus primarily on non-payment-related features. The decision comes after acknowledging Google Pay as its primary payment-processing smartphone app. According to the brand, Google Wallet will always remain a complimenting app to Google Pay in India and was only introduced to ensure added convenience for Android smartphone users. 

How to use the Google Wallet app on your Android smartphone

Before you go ahead and install, ensure your phone is running on Android version 7.0 and above. Then, follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store app on your smartphone and search for Google Wallet. Once you download the app, you should automatically be able to use it, provided you are logged into your primary Google account. 

Step 2: After setting it up, you will be directed to an ‘Add Items’ page. After you know what you wish to add, tap on ‘Add to Wallet’.

Step 3: Lastly, select a category (for instance: Transport, if you have added a boarding pass). If the selected service provider is listed on the app, choosing it will lead you to its official website for additional information.

Although Google doesn’t plan to mix payment features on the app, users can expect a bunch of cool elements to be a part of Google Wallet given its history of merging services over time. However, as of today, there is no official statement by the brand, meaning it’s best to take it with a pinch of salt.