Launched in 2022 for Android, Wear OS, and Fitbit OS, Google Wallet is a broader digital wallet platform designed to manage various digital assets. It can store and manage contactless payment methods like credit/debit cards, loyalty cards, boarding passes, event tickets, and potentially other digital items in the future. Google Pay is a well-established mobile payment platform in India widely used for UPI (Unified Payments Interface)-based transactions. UPI is a popular Indian payment system that facilitates instant bank transfers. Google Pay in India primarily focuses on P2P (peer-to-peer) and merchant payments through UPI.
Google Wallet may soon debut in India
According to recent reports, Google Wallet may soon debut in India, with local integrations for the Indian market. The internet titan quietly launched the Google Wallet app on the Play Store, demonstrating capabilities compatible with Indian banks, airlines, and loyalty programs. Although the app is unavailable for direct installation in India through the Play Store, users may manually install it and link bank cards for smooth contactless transactions. According to speculation, the app would work alongside Google Pay to meet the demands of Indian consumers.
Local integrations raise eyebrows
TechCrunch first discovered the Google Wallet app on the Play Store, which includes connections with big Indian companies such as SBI, Air India, and PVR Inox. After being approached by the magazine, Google quickly updated these pictures with ones geared to the US market. Nonetheless, a cached version of the Play Store listing includes four screenshots aimed exclusively at the Indian audience.
Uncertainty Over Future Integration
While Google did not confirm the forthcoming launch of the Wallet app in India, it did declare a commitment to improving the Google Pay experience, providing easy and safe access to digital payments. This suggests that Google Wallet might cohabit with the UPI-powered Google Pay, adding to India’s competitive environment of digital payment providers, which already includes Paytm, PhonePe, BHIM, and Amazon Pay.
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There’s speculation that Google Wallet might launch alongside Google Pay in India, catering to different needs. It could manage contactless payments using credit/debit cards, potentially targeting a more premium segment or users who don’t use UPI. Google Wallet and Google Pay might integrate to some extent, allowing users to switch between them based on the payment method needed.
Although we confirmed that the Google Wallet software is not directly downloaded from the Play Store, it may be installed by sideloading the most recent APK file onto Android devices. Users may now only attach credit or debit cards for contactless purchases, and the much-anticipated loyalty points system is still dormant.
Despite its limited functionality in comparison to Google Pay, which supports both contactless payments (for NFC-enabled smartphones) and UPI transactions, the possibility of Google Wallet’s full launch in India raises concerns about a potential integration or coexistence strategy with Google Pay, which the company has implemented in other markets. Google hasn’t officially confirmed the launch or features of Wallet in India. The exact way in which the app will co-exist or integrate with Google Pay in India remains to be determined.
