Google has announced its decision to shut down Google Pay in the United States by June, citing the widespread adoption of Google Wallet as the primary payment app. This move aims to streamline Google’s payment services, reducing confusion among users.
Following the shutdown, the standalone Google Pay app will only be accessible in Singapore and India. The company rationalizes this decision as a step towards consolidating its payment apps, positioning Google Wallet as the singular platform for payment features.
Google highlights that Google Wallet is extensively utilized, being five times more popular than Google Pay in the United States. Consequently, users can seamlessly access the app’s key features directly from Google Wallet.
Effective June 4, users in the United States will lose the ability to send, request, or receive money through the Google Pay app. They are encouraged to transfer their Google Pay balance to their bank account via the app before the deadline. Any remaining funds can be managed through the Google Pay website.
For users accustomed to finding offers and deals through the Google Pay app, Google assures that these features will still be available through the new deals destination on Google Search.
Google Wallet remains the primary mobile payment solution in the United States, enabling various functionalities like in-store payments, boarding passes, transit access, loyalty card storage, digital ID storage, and car ignition via a digital key.
Google underscores the global reach of Google Pay, with millions of users across more than 180 countries utilizing the platform for online, mobile, and in-store transactions.