If you only ever use Google Wallet when tapping a payment terminal, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on a lot of what the app can do. With just a few small tweaks, it can replace almost everything in your physical wallet and make everyday tasks run a lot smoother.
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Add more than one card
When you set up Google Wallet for the first time, it’s easy to simply add your main payment card and then forget about it. But if you’ve got more than one debit or credit card, it’s worth adding them as well so that you can choose how to pay, or to ensure that you’ve got a handy backup should you need it.
You add more payment cards in the same way that you added the first, by tapping the big “+” button in the app and then filling in your details.
Once you’ve added your cards, you should set your main one as the default. Tap on it, then hit the three-dot menu in the top corner and select “Make default for contactless payment.”
To change cards for a specific purchase, swipe left or right to highlight the card you want. To change the order they appear, tap your avatar in the top corner and go to Payment methods > Edit card order, then drag them into place.
Complete your payment setup
Adding a new card to Google Wallet isn’t the end of the process. You need to verify it before you can use it. If you don’t, you’ll still see it in the app, but it won’t work. Wallet usually needs an extra confirmation from your bank before you can get started, which comes via a text message or by launching your banking app.
The other step that solves a lot of issues with making payments is to ensure that you have set Google Wallet as your default Wallet app. Apps like Samsung Wallet or PayPal can also be used on your phone, so you can cut down an extra step by specifying which one you always want to use. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps to do this.
Lastly, make sure you’ve got NFC turned on on your phone. You can do this on a Pixel at Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > NFC.
Add your loyalty, membership, and gift cards
Although most of us use it mainly for paying for stuff, Google Wallet is also great for cutting down the number of other cards you need to carry with you. Grocery store loyalty cards, coffee shop stamps, gift cards, and so on can all fit neatly into the app, relieving your physical wallet of some of the clutter that builds up over time.
There’s even an “Everything else” section that you can use to photograph things like QR codes so that you don’t have to keep searching through your emails to find them when you need them.
On top of that, the “Nearby passes” option helps to surface relevant cards based on your location. Walk into your gym, and the pass will appear. Enable this in the app at Settings > Manage Wallet notifications > Other > Nearby passes > Pop on screen.
Use it for travel
It’s easy to overlook just how useful Google Wallet is for travel. For your daily commute, you can add your subway or bus passes, as well as train tickets. You’ll often be prompted to do this via an “Add to Google Wallet” button when you buy.
It works with flight tickets and boarding passes as well. Assuming you use the same account for Gmail and Google Wallet, these might automatically be imported into your Wallet app. If it doesn’t, you can still add it for many airlines by taking a screenshot and importing it through the “Everything else” option.
Enable quick access shortcuts
There are a few hidden options that can make Google Wallet more accessible and easier to use. On some phones, including the Pixel 8 and later and many Samsung devices, you can assign the Wallet app to a double-click of the Power button. This enables you to launch it even with your phone screen turned off.
On most devices, you can also add a shortcut to the lockscreen. On a Pixel, open the lockscreen wallpaper settings, go to “Shortcuts,” and select “Wallet.”
The other option is to add Wallet to your Quick Settings panel. Drag from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings, then tap the Edit icon. Now, locate the Wallet option and drag it into place.
Organize your cards
Finally, it’s worth keeping your Wallet organized and clearing out clutter that you no longer need. Removing old passes and expired cards and tickets helps to keep the app clean and makes it easier to use.
Once you’ve done that, you can explore some of the other things you can store in the app. You can add a driver’s license or other Government-issued ID in many regions, if you want to. It makes it more convenient, although you’ll have to weigh it up against how much more information you want to store in your Google account (I’ve chosen not to do it).
And there’s a growing number of car brands, from Audi to Volvo, that let you unlock or start your car from Google Wallet. Not all cars can do this, of course, but if you have a digital car key, you can check to see.
Google Wallet is more than just a simple tap-to-pay app. By spending a few minutes setting it up properly, you can add all of your everyday essentials and make the app a core part of how you use your phone.
