Google is opening up its somewhat confusing Wallet app in new countries this week, making the app available in more locations than ever. That’s based on recent reports following the addition of no fewer than six new countries to Google’s official list.
For clarity, this is the “Google Wallet” previously known as Google Pay. Google has changed and then rechanged the name a couple of times over the past several years. Including a brief stint as “Android Pay” before that was merged with Wallet into the “Pay” app. That has arguably keeping the app from becoming one of the most popular money management apps around. And that’s before this most recent changeup setting the branding back to “Wallet.”
Now, however, the app is available in more regions than ever as well as looking more cohesive than ever thanks to recent updates. Not least of all is the addition of support for digital car keys, vaccine cards, and more. As well as the apparent impending addition of digital government-issued ID cards and licenses. With the latter specifically aiming to help users at TSA checkpoints at airports.
Where is Google Wallet available now?
Of course, there is at least one caveat to the new availability of this app. While the app will now work in Azerbaijan, Iceland, Moldova, Qatar, Serbia, and South Africa, it will still be branded as Google Pay.
Moreover, the app is not supported on WearOS smartwatches in the new regions either. So watch owners will still need to rely on their phones rather than their wrist-borne wearables for the time being too. Otherwise, payments, boarding passes, digital IDs, and other Wallet features are now supported in the newly added regions.
The change brings the total number of supported countries for the reworked app up to 45. As is most often the case, more countries, for those in unsupported regions, will undoubtedly be added over time.
2022-08-24 15:06:50