Google Pay introduced the concept of an e-wallet so that you can add money from your credit card to your Google Pay account and make payments to anyone globally.
Another interesting thing about Google Pay is that you can use it to transfer money back to your linked card or your friends and relatives. It’s free and pretty easy to use and you can set it up in minutes.
Follow the guide below, and I’ll show you how to set up a Google Pay account for free.
How to Download, Install, and Set Up Google Pay Account
- You can set up Google Pay on your mobile device or using a web browser.
- Also, you must be signed in to your Google Account to set up Google Pay.
- Click on the download button on the sidebar to go directly to Google Pay website.
- If you’re using a phone or tablet, click on your preferred download option to install the app either from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- If you’re using a desktop browser, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Sign in on your computer” on the left side. You will be prompted to sign into your Google account on that browser if you’re not signed in yet.
- Next, click on “Payment methods”. On that page, tap on “Add payment method” and you will be shown a screen where you can add your debit and credit cards. On your mobile device, you will be prompted to complete this step right after installing and launching the app.
- Fill in your card information and billing address, and save the card. You can add more cards if you like.
- When next you see the option to pay with Google Pay, you can select it to authorize the debit from your linked card.
Note: If you already have your card information saved with Chrome’s AutoFill feature, the credit and debit cards you have there will automatically transfer to Google Pay.
How to Cancel Google Pay Account & Remove Payment Method
If you are no longer interested in using Google Pay, follow the guide below to remove the service:
- Go to Google Pay to access your Google Payment profile. Click on Settings.
- Scroll down and click “Close payments profile”. Enter your Google password and follow the instructions to close your Google payment profile.
If you would like to try other mobile payment options, check out the free alternatives below.
Overview of Google Pay
Google Pay is a mobile payment service that enables you to pay for goods and services on your phones, tablets, watches in-app, websites, and in person (in stores). Google has also partnered with lots of app owners to make in-app transactions very easy for people who choose to enable Google Pay on their devices. You will not be charged any fees to use Google Pay.
While Google Pay is available in almost all countries, not all features of Google Pay are available in all countries. For example, you can only use Google Pay to send money in the US, India, and Singapore. You can also use Google Pay to make payments anywhere Visa contactless payments are accepted. Google made this possible through an integration with Western Union and Wise.
Features of Google Pay
Secure Online Payments
One of the selling points that make Google Pay stand out among other alternatives is how secure it is. When you make payments online and in-store, Google Pay doesn’t share your card info with merchants. It uses several layers of advanced security infrastructures to protect your payment info.
Fast and Easy Payment
With Google Pay, you can transfer money easily and safely to friends and family. You need to create a group to send and receive money. Money transfers are instant and free with your Google Pay balance and you don’t have to pay any fees. Also, when you shop online, you can use Google Pay to check out quickly and securely, either on websites or apps.
Get Rewards
As you make payments and send money to people, you earn usable rewards on your Google Pay account. You get cashback when you pay friends. You can use the rewards immediately, as they reflect in your balance instantly.
Track Your Expenses
Google Pay features an activity segment that presents an overview of your spending patterns, helping you remain informed about your expenses and avoid unexpected situations. Within this section, you have the ability to view both your combined balance and weekly recaps across all your accounts. This includes your in-app purchases, transfers, and web purchases. Google Pay even does the math for you and shows you exactly how much is coming in and how much is going out. You can also view upcoming payments.
Authentication for Every Payment
All payments will be authorized by you before they are debited from your account. You’ll be required to use your fingerprint, pattern, PIN, or face to verify your identity each time you open the app or make a payment. In other words, only you can use your Google Pay to make payments or send money. There’s also a personalization feature that lets you manage and control your experience and other privacy settings like location preferences and contact syncing from settings.
Free Alternatives to Google Pay
PayPal: PayPal is an international payment system that enables you to send and receive money from people in other countries. You can either create a personal or business account. It is one of the most popular and advanced global payment systems today.
Cash App: If you need an instant mobile payment service that allows you to send and receive money easily, Cash App is a suitable alternative. Note that Cash App is currently limited to people in the US and the UK.
Apple Pay: Apple Pay is similar to Google Pay in many ways, but the service is designed to work on Mac and iOS devices. If you use an iPhone, you might want to try Apple pay. Another difference is that Apple Pay has fewer features compared to Google Pay.