Google shuts down GPay, no longer functional in this country; Shifted its Focus to Wallet
In the United States, Google has shut down its standalone payment app – GPay. GPay is not accessible in the Play Store or work with existing devices from June 4, 2024.
This move of Google corresponds with the discontinuation of peer-to-peer (P2P) payment functionality in the United States. Google is currently shifting its approach to centralize mobile payment services under the Google Wallet app.
Google users may now exercise the manage payment option, they have 2 now – i) tap to pay at stores and ii) pay immediately online using Google Wallet.
Android Users of Google can download the latest version of the Google Wallet app from Google Play. They can manage their cards at the website of Google Pay.
Impact of GPay shut down on Users
To ensure users a smooth experience, all the existing methods of payment that were previously linked to GPay will now naturally transfer to Google Wallet. However, a very famous payment feature – P2P is now not available in the US which was used for splitting bills or sending money to friends.
Reason for Closing the Google Pay in the United States
Google hasn’t outrightly given the reasons for discontinuing the GPay app. But, some speculated that Google did it to align the user experience and possibly to reduce development costs. Furthermore, it is expected that Google Wallet may provide better interaction with other Google services, thereby creating a more unified platform.
In the market of other parts of the world – like India and Singapore, the GPay app will continue to operate, unlike its discontinuation in the United States.
“For India and Singapore’s consumers who are currently using the Google Pay app, we will not change even a single thing for them as we look out the needs of each person”, Google said.
Google Wallet launch in India
Over two years after reintroducing the app as a digital wallet platform in the country of United States, Google with local integration released its digital wallet in India last month.
The existing app Google Pay will remain the primary payment app in the country and Google Wallet will operate alongside with Google Pay app.
India engineering lead for Android and General Manager at Google said, “Our primary app is Google Pay which is used for payments and will not go anywhere. But, Google Wallet is designed specifically to consider non-payment usage situations.”
Google Wallet will enable Indian Android users to store and retrieve gift cards, boarding passes, event tickets and loyalty passes. All these things can be added using a QR code, barcode, or link shared via Gmail, or by clicking the unique tax “Add to Google Wallet” button found on partner apps.
