How to Pay With Google

There are two ways to pay with Google and both use the free payment platform called Google Pay. One use is for buying things and the other is for exchanging money with other users.

Previously called Google Wallet, Google Pay runs on Android and iOS and has a plethora of features: pay at physical and online stores, earn rewards, manage your money, and send and receive money with friends.

What Is Google Pay?

Google Pay rewards, businesses, and money screens on Android app — Google Pay Android app.

Google Pay is a combination digital wallet and online bank, plus some. Keep your physical cards in one place by storing debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, coupons, gift cards, and tickets. Send money directly to anyone's account, get cash back when you redeem offers, order food, pay for gas, check out easier online, and even pay for street parking in some areas.

The app uses your card information to make purchases, so you don’t have to transfer money to a special account or open a new bank account to spend your money. When it's time to buy something, the card you choose is used to pay wirelessly.

Android users can pay wirelessly with their phone at supported stores, similar to Apple Pay on iOS devices. Both platforms can take advantage of Google Pay's online features to do things like split expenses with other users, earn rewards for qualified purchases, view your financial information in one place, and pay for goods at some stores and gas stations.

How Does Google Pay Stack Up Against Samsung Pay and Apple Pay?

Not all cards are supported. Check which ones are in Google's list of supported banks.

Google payments are allowed anywhere you see the Google Pay symbol. Some of the places you can use it include Whole Foods, Walgreens, Best Buy, McDonald’s, Macy’s, Petco, Wish, Subway, Airbnb, Fandango, Postmates, DoorDash, and many others.

Here's how to use Google Pay in stores:

Paying wirelessly directly from your phone only works on Android. To do this with an iPhone, connect your phone to a Wear smartwatch and pay with the watch.

Google Pay for P2P Payments

Sending and receiving money through Google Pay is convenient and super easy. Funds can come directly from your debit card or bank account, as well as from your Google Pay balance, which is a holding place for money that you don't want to keep in your bank.

When you receive money, it's deposited to whatever payment method is chosen as your default, which can be a bank, debit card, or your Google Pay balance. If you choose a bank or card, the funds go directly into that bank account. Setting the Google Pay balance as your default payment keeps incoming money in your Google account until you move it manually.

Google Pay list of contacts and payment transaction — Google Pay Android app.

More Information on Google Pay

Some websites support the ability to check out with Google Pay. When you see this option, you can quickly pay without having to enter your card information since it's already stored in your Google account.

To send over $2,500, the recipient needs to add a bank account to claim the money. Here are some other limits on how much you can send with Google Pay:

Single transaction: Up to $10,000 USD
In 7 days: Up to $10,000 USD
Florida residents: Up to $3,000 USD every 24 hours.

The service was previously available from the web at pay.google.com, where you could send and receive money without the app. Google phased out that option in early 2021.

Google Wallet used to offer a debit card that let you spend your balance in stores and online, but that's been discontinued and there isn’t a Google Pay card you can get.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know!

Tell us why!