Google Wallet Launches in India with Local Features, Pay to Remain

Google Wallet Set to Make Its Debut in India

Nearly two years after its relaunch as a digital wallet platform in the United States, Google Wallet is finally poised to make its entrance in India. This news comes courtesy of an accidental preview of the app that Google briefly posted on the Google Play store in the country.

Accidental Reveal and Subsequent Removal

The Zero Byte spotted the listing for the app, which will allow users to store loyalty cards and make purchases, among other features. However, when reached for comment, Google declined to confirm the app’s imminent launch in India. Following the inquiry, the company appeared to remove some of the India-specific details from the listing, such as what seemed to be high-profile local launch partners.

Google Pay to Remain a Standalone App in India

In a somewhat puzzling move, Google has confirmed that it will continue to offer Google Pay as a standalone app in India, at least for the time being. This strategy differs from nearly every other market, where Google has been consolidating the Wallet and Pay experiences under a single Wallet app. A Google spokesperson stated, “While we don’t have anything new to share right now, we’re always working to bring more convenience to people’s digital experiences in India. We’re continuing to invest in the Google Pay app to give people easy, secure access to digital payments.”

India: Google’s Largest Market for Payments

It is widely understood that India is Google’s largest market globally for payments, with Google Pay being the second-largest payment app in the country after PhonePe. This massive user base is likely a key factor in Google’s decision to maintain Google Pay as a separate payment service in India.

Local Integrations Expected in Indian Version of Google Wallet

The Indian version of Google Wallet is anticipated to differ from its U.S. counterpart, particularly in terms of local integrations. India is home to Google’s biggest Android user base, and the company is looking to provide country-specific features in the Wallet app.

The Google Wallet listing that The Zero Byte spotted last week featured screenshots of Indian airline Air India, state-owned bank State Bank of India and multiplex chain PVR Inox, suggesting that loyalty points can be picked up and used through these brands.

Image Credits: Google Play Store screenshots

Limited Functionality for Some Android Users in India

While the existing Google Wallet app is not yet available for download through the Play Store in India, it has been functional for some Android users in the country for a while, as reported by the Indian outlet Beebom. However, the app’s functionality is currently limited, allowing users to add credit and debit cards for contactless payments but not supporting any Indian businesses or local loyalty programs.

Google’s Journey Through Various Financial Services and Apps

These latest developments cap off a series of changes Google has made to its various financial services and differently-branded apps over the years. Google Wallet was initially launched as the company’s payment solution in 2011, followed by the introduction of Android Pay. In 2018, Google attempted to replace the Wallet and Android Pay app with Google Pay. In 2022, Google relaunched the Wallet app as its digital wallet platform for Android, Wear OS, and Fitbit OS. However, in February 2024, the search giant announced it would replace Google Pay with the Wallet app in the U.S.

Google Pay’s Unique Position in India

Unlike its U.S. version, Google Pay in India utilizes the Indian government-backed framework Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to facilitate payments. This distinction is one reason why Google Pay is different in India and why the company might choose to continue offering users a separate option if they are already using it.

Google Pay is the second most used UPI app in India after Walmart’s PhonePe, giving Google an apparent reason to continue to support it while offering digital wallet-related experiences through the Wallet app.

According to data posted by the UPI-parent organization National Payments Corporation of India, the Google Pay app initiated more than 5 billion transactions valued at over $83 billion in March.