Google Wallet app launched in India: What is it and how is it different from Google Pay?

Google has launched its digital wallet application, Google Wallet, in India. The application allows users to securely store their private information such as loyalty cards, transit passes, IDs and more. However, the company has categorically stated that the launch of Google Wallet will not affect its already popular UPI application, Google Pay.

However, while Wallet supports credit and debit adds globally, its India version will not support the same.

How is Google Wallet different from Google Pay?

According to an FAQ on the Google Wallet website, Google Wallet is a ‘secure and private digital wallet’ that allows users quick access to payment cards, passes, tickets, keys or IDs that they share on the app.

However, while Wallet supports credit and debit cards globally, its India version will not support them. 

Google Pay, on the other hand, is a way for users to manage their money and finances. The application allows users to send money to their friends and family, earn rewards, find offers from favourite merchants and get insights about their spending habits, the blog post stated.

Meanwhile, Ram Papatla, GM & India Engineering Lead, Android at Google while speaking about the launch of Google Wallet in India said, "Google Pay is not going anywhere. It will remain our primary payments app. Google Wallet is specifically tailored for non-payment use cases," 

How to use Google Wallet in India? 

Google Wallet app will come pre-installed on all Pixel smartphones in India. While non-Pixel users can head to the Play Store to download the digital wallet and use it to store their card details. However, the Mountain View, California-based company has stated that the Google Wallet app will not be coming to wearables.

At the launch of the new app, Google said that it had partnered with PVR INOX, Flipkart, Air India, Shoppers Stop and Ixigo, among others.

History of Google Wallet:

The Google Wallet application was first launched in 2011, before being merged with the Android Pay application in 2018 to create Google Pay. However, Google had launched a separate application just for UPI payments called Google Tez, which was also later rebranded as Google Pay.

Essentially, this meant that there were two Google Pay applications, one for India and one for the rest of the world. In 2022, however, Google renamed its global Google Pay application to Google Wallet.