Google is making changes to how it handles mobile payments in the United States. The company has decided to close its standalone Google Pay app in favor of consolidating payment services within its Google Wallet offering. This change aims to provide a more streamlined and comprehensive digital wallet experience.
The official closure date for the U.S.-based Google Pay app is June 4, 2024. Until then, users can continue making payments with the app as normal. Importantly, Google Pay will remain fully operational in other countries like India and Singapore.
This switch to Google Wallet comes as no surprise. Google Wallet has become the preferred choice, especially for Android users due to its broader features. It not only lets you store credit cards for contactless payments but also manages things like digital IDs and even public transportation passes, making it an all-around mobile wallet solution.
Google has a history of updating and retiring products to remain competitive. Discontinued projects like Jamboard, Stadia, and Google Play Music are examples of this.
If you currently use Google Pay in the U.S., don’t fret! You have until June 4th to use the app. After that, Google assures users they’ll still be able to access and transfer their Google Pay balance directly through the Google Pay website.