It’s been four years since Apple Pay first launched, and Google’s response has always been a bit of a mess. Now, the company is finally simplifying all its different apps and services into a single product called Google Pay, which launched yesterday in Australia.
Here’s what you need to know about switching to the new app and how to use it.
How to Set Up Google Pay
If you’re already using Android Pay (Google’s previous app for in-store payments) then you don’t need to do anything at all. Once the update hits, your app will automatically transform into Google Pay. All your credit/debit cards and other financial information will carry over, too.
If you’re completely new to the service, you’ll have to download the app from Google Play. Then, just follow the setup instructions to add a payment method and you’ll be ready to go. If your phone doesn’t have the right hardware to support Google Pay the app will also let you know.
Google
How to Buy Stuff With Google Pay
Once you have Google Pay set up, you can use it to make payments at physical stores, online and in certain apps. Here’s how that works.
If you’re shopping at an actual store, look for the “GPay” logo or this picture (right) of a NFC terminal. Then unlock your phone and hold it up to the scanner (you don’t have to open the app). Google Pay should launch automatically, but if it doesn’t, try repositioning the phone or holding it closer. Once it registers, follow the instructions on your screen and enter a PIN or sign your name to confirm.
When you’re shopping online or in an app, you can also use Google Pay. Just look for a button at checkout that says “Buy with GPay” (older logos for Google Wallet/Android Pay will also work). Tap that button and the rest will take care of itself as long as you’ve already set up a payment method.
How to Send Money to Friends With Google Pay
The main Google Pay app will eventually let you send money directly to friends, but for now you’ll need a separate app called Google Pay Send.
The company currently offers a similar service with its Google Wallet app, which should transform into Google Pay Send soon. You can grab the current app here and set up an account so you’re ready when the rebrand hits. Or you could just wait until that feature gets added to the main Google Pay app, though that could take months or longer.
Comments
15 responses to “How To Use Google Pay”
Step 1: Don’t bank with NAB
“It’s been four years since Apple Pay first launched, and Google’s response has always been a bit of a mess”
Yet most banks and vendors have supported and used android wallet , Swallet and their successors with little hassle, meanwhile Apple Pay is uslesss to most customers even to this day in Australia.
Can you elaborate on this? I’ve had nothing but excellent experiences with it. Just curious that’s all
A majority of the banks outright refuse to support it, mine included, whereas Android payments are pretty much universally accepted. Apple wants to big of a cut and expects the banks to fit the bill. And it’s not like Apple even owns the technology they’re using for Apple Pay, if it was genuinely proprietary tech I’d agree with the coat expectations.
The issue is that the Big Four will not pay Apple small interchange fees, which even Apple is willing to negotiate on with particular banks. These big banks are just being greedy, plain and simple. Vote with your feet and your money!
It’s not just the if 4 but also the majority of smaller regional banks that make an effort in the community. The interchange fees are more than the competitors, Swallet/Spay, or all three iterations of Android Pay. Apples just needlessly locking down an NFC chip they don’t own in the interest in making bonus moneys, because they’re Apple.
I’ve found all paywave terminals work with Android Pay. Have 2 cards loaded, commbank MasterCard Debit card and Myer Visa card and all my rewards cards. Works a treat !
My current phone doesn’t have NFC but following a recent outing where I left my wallet at home I’ve been looking at alternative payment methods that I can’t accidentally leave at home. WestPac’s Halo fits the brief – unlikely to be forgotten, no batteries, buttons or other faff and waterproof. But I don’t bank with them and changing to them seems a hassle.
So I’m excited to be waiting for a Curve from inamo.com. Ticks all my boxes. And i like the pre-payment approach to it – if I were to lose it then there’s less damage to be done. And hey, it sounds fun.
Wearables could be a good alternative to Google Pay for people.
Isn’t the Halo from Bankwest?
If you get sick of waiting, and happen to have a phone with Optus, they have OptusPay accessories on the market now that do pretty much exactly the same things – its also prepaid and can slip onto a watch band, plus they have a different tag thingo that you can stick wherever which does the same thing.
I’ll take a look at those. I like the idea of the coffee cup thingy! Might even be worth moving to Optus. Geez though, their wristband thingy is hella ugly.
Tell me about it! I got one but I’ve never worn it.
Pleased to see from your report that we are now going to have to unlock the phone to use Google Pay. Pity we are going to have to enter a pin though, tap and go with the phone was good.
And what’s with “signing your name to confirm”, I thought Oz banks stopped this a couple of years ago. Said something about it being a security risk.
I don’t know where the author got their information, but the Google Pay website says you just need to wake your phone up and tap it on the payment terminal
On my phone using Android Pay I always had to unlock the phone for it to work. Fingerprint unlock, tap the terminal and its done.
Been using Android Pay on my phone for months now. Unfortunately the new update has for some reason changed my device certification to “uncertified”
Guess it’s back to having to carry a wallet around again….