Recently, Google introduced its Wallet app in India, distinct from its existing digital payments platform, Google Pay. Let's delve into using Google Wallet in India and how it differs from GPay.

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Photo Credit: Google

Google Wallet is an Android-based digital wallet offering convenient access to various essentials like flight boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, and more. It serves as a central hub for managing digital documents from a range of Indian brands, including Flipkart, Air India, Indigo, PVR, INOX, and others.

How To Use Google Wallet?

Currently available only for Android users, the Google Wallet app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Pixel devices in India come with the app pre-installed. Upon installation, subscriptions linked to your Google account are automatically integrated into the Wallet. You can manually add supported services by selecting 'Add to Wallet'.

Google Wallet collaborates with airlines like Air India, Indigo, and ticketing platforms such as MakeMyTrip and Ixigo, allowing users to store and access mobile boarding passes seamlessly. It also facilitates management of loyalty points and gift cards from various brands like Flipkart, Dominos, and Shoppers Stop and more.

Users can save cinema tickets from INOX and PVR and access transit tickets for services like Kochi Metro. The app simplifies pass generation by allowing users to capture barcode or QR code-containing documents like luggage tags.

Google Wallet & Google Pay: How are They Different?

While Google Wallet focuses on document storage and access, Google Pay remains dedicated to UPI and contactless payments. In India, Google Wallet doesn't support storing credit and debit cards. Ram Papatla from Google clarified that Google Pay will continue as the primary payments app, while Google Wallet caters to non-payment use cases.

Both Google Wallet and GPay function independently, complementing each other. Google plans to expand partnerships with more brands to enhance the appeal of Google Wallet in India.