Google Pay is a mobile payment app that allows you to pay for items online or through contactless payment. You can also exchange money with other people, track personal spending, add virtual credit cards, and manage your money.
While Google designed the app to be the default payment system on Android phones, iPhone owners can make use of the service as well, albeit without the tap-to-pay functionality they get from Apple Pay. Let’s look at how to use Google Pay with an Android phone and an iPhone.
Set Up Google Pay From the Web
In order to set up Google Pay, you must sign into your Google Account on the mobile app or website. If you have financial information saved with Chrome’s AutoFill feature, those credit and debit cards will automatically transfer to Google Pay. If you do not have any saved information, you will have to enter it manually during the setup process.
On the website, click the Add button to enter a payment method. Enter your credit or debit card information, your name, and your billing address. Click Save, then select Done. If financial information has been transferred over, you must first enter the security code on the back of the card before it will be activated for contactless payment.
The service then displays your entered payment method. You can remove or edit the existing method at any time, or add new payment methods. Select the Add payment method link to enter additional methods.
You can now add another credit or debit card, a Google Store financing card, a PayPal account, or a bank account. Choose one of these additional methods if you wish and then follow the steps to link it to Google Pay.
Set Up Google Pay From the Android App
Google Pay already comes with most Android devices, so you shouldn’t have to manually download and install it. However, Google Pay is also in the middle of transitioning to a new app, so right now there is an old version that is currently stable and a new version that is still in early access. As the old version starts to cut off support for certain features, make sure you download the newest iterations, or even both versions.
If you’re still using the old version of Google Pay, open the app and tap the Get Started button. The next screen gives you a choice of getting the new Google Pay app or setting up the existing one. If you would rather stick with the stable version, tap the Set it Up button.
If you already added a credit or debit card via the Google Pay website, or have information stored in Chrome, the app shows your current payment methods. If not, you’re prompted to add a card. You can then add additional cards by tapping the Add a new card entry. You can then either take a picture of the card or add it manually.
If you want the new Google Pay app, either download it from Google Play or click Get the new Google Pay on the home screen of the old app. Once inside the app, make sure you are signed in with your Google Account. You will then be asked to link the app with your phone number through a texted code.
At the privacy preferences screen, tap Next. Choose whether you want to be discoverable by friends so they can send payments to you. Decide if you want to earn cashback rewards and discounts when you pay for something through Google Pay.
Finally, determine if you want to turn on personalization for Google Pay, which saves your transactions and other information in your Google account. You can turn this option on or off or turn it on and have Google ask you about it in another three months.
After the initial setup, you are brought to the app’s Pay screen, where you can read about different options and manage your account.
Set Up Google Pay on iPhone
If you’re using an iPhone, download the new Google Pay app from the App Store. From the app’s start screen, sign in with your Google Account, if necessary, or confirm the account listed. Tap Continue and enter your phone number, then confirm the code texted to you.
You are then asked to set up your privacy preferences. Choose if you want friends to find you when they search for your number. Decide if you want to earn cashbacks and discounts. Determine if you want to turn on personalization for Google Pay.
At the end, the app asks if you want to use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate your Google Pay payments. You’re then brought to the Pay screen, where you can read about different app options and manage your account.
How to Use Google Pay
Using Google Pay on Android
Google Pay should be the default payment system for most Android devices, though you may need to manually set Google Pay as the default on Samsung phones with Samsung Pay.
Open the phone’s Settings and open the Apps (or Apps & Notifications) menu. Tap the three-dot icon and select Default Apps, then choose the Tap and pay option and set it to Google Pay (or G Pay), if it isn’t already. Google Pay will then pop up as the payment system when needed.
To pay for an item in a store that supports Google Pay, hold your phone near the payment reader and confirm the transaction with your password, PIN, fingerprint, or face. To pay for an item within an app or on a website, select the item for purchase and tap the Google Pay button. Enter your password, PIN, or other means of authentication to confirm the transaction.
Using Google Pay on iPhone
Using Google Pay on an iPhone is more limited than on an Android device. You can’t pay for items in a brick-and-mortar store or within mobile apps and websites like with Apple Pay. But you can use it with websites that work through your Google Account, such as Google Play. In this case, select your item and pay for it, and it will take the funds from your Google Pay account.
Earn Cashback and Rewards
On Android or iOS, you can take advantage of cashback rewards and other offers if you opted in to earning cashbacks and discounts during the setup process. In the new Google Pay app, tap the Explore icon. You can scan a product code or QR code to see any rewards on it. Scroll down the Explore screen to view other offers.
Send or Request Money
To send someone money from the Android or iOS app, go to the Pay screen and tap the Find people to pay link. Grant Google Pay access to your contacts, then invite or select the person you wish to pay. Tap the Pay button, then enter the amount. You can also add a note to the transaction. Follow the steps onscreen to send the payment.
You can also request money from someone by tapping Find people to pay or Pay friend or group at the Pay screen. Invite or select the friend you wish to pay. Tap the Request button and enter the amount. You can also add a note before completing the request. Once the person on the other end approves the request, the money is added to your Google Pay account.
