Google has announced that it will be shutting down the dedicated Google Pay app in the US early this summer as part of its efforts to simplify its product lineup. This move reinforces the repositioning of Google Wallet as the primary payment option for US users. Here’s what you need to know about this transition:
What This Means for You
Users can still view and transfer any remaining app balance to their bank accounts up until the shutdown date. After that, they will still have access to their funds via the web version of Google Pay.
Google Wallet will remain users’ main option for mobile payments in the US. It will continue to manage store credit/debit cards for tap-to-pay, loyalty programs, passes, tickets, digital car keys, and government IDs (where supported).
However, peer-to-peer payments appear to be a feature that will no longer be supported after June 4th. Google has not announced plans to bring this functionality to Google Wallet.
Google says that the Google Wallet app is used ten times more often than the Google Pay app in the U.S., which makes sense as it streamlines payment services and eliminates confusion for users.
This change is part of a long history of Google killing and rebranding services, including its payment offerings. The dedicated Google Pay app was launched in 2018 but is now being discontinued in favor of consolidating services under Google Wallet.
The transition aims to make things easier for users and streamline payment services by eliminating confusion caused by having two separate yet similar apps for payments.
As always, we’re here to help answer any questions you may have about these changes or assist you with any concerns related to your mobile payments. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic!