Is Google Wallet not working? We know how it can be frustrating! Imagine facing an awkward moment at the checkout or holding up a line due to a glitch in your favorite payment app. These fixes aim to restore the magic, ensuring Google Wallet remains your go-to for swift and secure transactions.

And if you’ve tried it all and still face challenges, we’ve got one more trick up our sleeves—introducing the best Google Wallet alternatives. From Samsung Pay’s compatibility to PayPal’s versatility, these alternatives cater to diverse preferences, making your financial transactions a breeze. Explore this guide to keep your digital wallet in top-notch condition.

How to fix Google Wallet not working

Google Wallet’s contactless payment system is a marvel of convenience, but what happens when the magic falters? If you find yourself facing issues with Google Wallet not working, fear not. These workarounds can troubleshoot and fix common problems, ensuring your contactless transactions remain smooth and hassle-free:

• Update your Google Wallet App
• Verify your phone number
• Verify your cards in Google Wallet
• Clear your cache
• Check your Internet connection
• Uninstall and reinstall the app
• Check for system updates
• Review app permissions
• Contact Google Support
• Check for account issues
• Review device compatibility
• Check for app conflicts

Whether it’s a quick tap of a card or a smartphone interaction using near-field communication (NFC), the process eliminates the hassle of PIN pads and streamlines transactions. Google Wallet, a popular payment app for Android users, leverages the power of NFC to provide a seamless payment experience. However, as with any technology, hiccups can occur, and here are step-by-step introductions for the Google Wallet not working fixes.

Update your Google Wallet App

If your Google Wallet app isn’t performing as expected, it might be due to an outdated version. An outdated app can be a significant culprit in Google Wallet malfunctions. Ensure you’re running the latest version:

• Open the Google Play Store.
• Search for the Google Wallet app.
• If an Update button is available, click it to ensure you have the latest version.

Verify your phone number

Your phone number plays a crucial role in confirming your identity during transactions. If it’s incorrect or outdated, payment issues may arise. Follow these steps to check and update your phone number:

• Open the Google Wallet app.
• Click your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
• Navigate to Wallet settings > Payments profile.
• Verify and update your phone number as needed.

Verify your cards in Google Wallet

Google Wallet relies on your connected credit and debit cards. Ensure your account is fully functional by verifying your card details:

• Open the Google Wallet app and click on each card.
• Click the Details button to verify the information at the bottom.
• Add a card if necessary by clicking “Add to Wallet.”

Clear your cache

Technology can get jumbled with regular use, affecting the app’s performance. Clearing the cache can resolve this issue:

• Go to your phone’s Settings.
• Select Apps and find Google Wallet.
• Click on Storage & cache and then Clear cache.

Restart the app, and you should be good to go.

Check your Internet connection

A strong internet connection is vital for contactless payments. Follow these steps to ensure a reliable connection:

• Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet.
• Tap your network connection and ensure it says “Connected.”

Using Google Wallet with a strong data or Wi-Fi connection enhances the likelihood of successful payments.

Uninstall and reinstall the app

Sometimes, a clean slate is the best solution. Uninstalling and reinstalling the Google Wallet app can resolve underlying issues:

• Find the Google Wallet app on your phone and uninstall it.
• Visit the Google Play Store, find Google Wallet, and click Install.
• Set up your accounts once again.

Check for system updates

Outdated operating systems may lead to compatibility issues with the Google Wallet app. Ensure your device is running the latest software:

• Navigate to your device’s “Settings.”
• Look for a new software update.
• If an update is available, install it and restart your device.

Keeping your device up to date ensures it can seamlessly support the latest features of the Google Wallet app.

Review app permissions

Google Wallet relies on specific permissions to function correctly. Ensure the app has the necessary access to your device features:

• Open your device’s “Settings.”
• Select “Apps.”
• Find and click on “Google Wallet.”
• Navigate to “Permissions” and ensure all required permissions are granted.

Granting the necessary permissions allows Google Wallet to interact smoothly with your device’s hardware and software components.

Contact Google Support

If all else fails, reaching out to Google’s support can provide personalized assistance for your specific issue.

Check for account issues

Ensure that there are no issues with your Google account, as this could impact the functionality of Google Wallet. Follow these steps:

• Open your device’s settings.
• Scroll down and select Google.
• Verify that your Google account is active and properly synced.

If there are any issues, such as a sign-in problem or syncing error, addressing them can contribute to resolving Google Wallet-related issues.

Review device compatibility

Ensure that your device meets the necessary compatibility requirements for the Google Wallet app. Some older devices may not fully support the latest features, leading to performance issues. Here is Google Wallet’s compatibility requirements:

If your device falls short, consider upgrading to a more compatible device for an optimal Google Wallet experience.

Check for app conflicts

Other installed apps on your device could potentially conflict with Google Wallet. Investigate if there are any conflicting applications causing disruptions:

• Go to your device’s “Settings.”
• Select Apps.
• Look for any recently installed apps or those known to cause conflicts.
• Uninstall or disable apps that might be interfering with Google Wallet.

Resolving conflicts between apps can contribute to a smoother overall experience when using Google Wallet for contactless payments.

Do you still face problems? There is one thing you can do more!

Best Google Wallet alternatives that worth trying

Several robust options offer convenience and security if you’re exploring alternatives to Google Wallet for your contactless payment needs. Here are some noteworthy alternatives worth considering:

Firstly, Samsung Pay is a compelling alternative, compatible with a wide range of Samsung devices. Notably, it features Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology, allowing it to work with traditional magnetic stripe card readers.

For a versatile digital payment platform, consider PayPal. It facilitates both online and in-store transactions, widely accepted across various merchants, and integrates with numerous online platforms.

Venmo is known for its social payment features, making it a popular choice for peer-to-peer transactions. Users can easily split bills, share payments, and engage in a social feed.

Square Cash (Cash App) offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface for peer-to-peer and merchant transactions. The platform includes features like the Cash Card for physical transactions and supports Bitcoin.

In the realm of financial services, Revolut is a notable option. Alongside contactless payments, it offers fee-free currency exchange for international transactions.

Internationally, Alipay has become a leading digital payment platform, originating in China and expanding its services globally. It offers a broad spectrum of financial services beyond simple payments.

Similarly, WeChat Pay dominates the digital payment scene in China, integrated into the WeChat messaging app. It supports various transactions, including in-store, online, and peer-to-peer payments.

For those focused on peer-to-peer transactions, Zelle enables users to send and receive money directly from their bank accounts. Many major banks in the U.S. offer Zelle integration within their mobile banking apps.

Is Google Wallet not working? Now, you don’t have to be afraid! When choosing an alternative to Google Wallet, consider factors such as device compatibility, security features, and availability in your region. Each option mentioned has unique strengths, ensuring there’s a suitable alternative for every user.

Featured image credit: Google

Like Google Wallet and Apple Pay, it relies on near-field communications (NFC) for its mobile payments. As a result of the partnership with the carriers, Google Wallet will come pre-loaded on Android handsets running KitKat or higher, sold by the companies beginning “later this year,” Google said.

Softcard’s own wallet will possibly be folded into Google Wallet, with the JV saying in its own statement: “For now, Softcard customers can continue to tap and pay with the app. We will share more information with customers and partners in the coming weeks.”

With softcard the user can add an eligible American Express, Chase, or Wells Fargo credit card and get all the same perks and benefits from the card issuer. Alternatively they may set up an American Express Serve Account in which the user can add money to with a preferred debit card, credit card or U.S. bank account. Loyalty, membership and rewards cards may also be added to cut the clutter. One can also view balance for select loyalty programs.

However, Last month Softcard laid off around 60 staff as part of a cost cutting exercise amid rumours that owners AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless had decided to stop funding the outfit.

Apart from ApplePay Google wallet has to compete with Samsung which has recently acquired LoopPay, a widely popular mobile payments platform. LoopPay is designed to utilise the patented Magnetic Secure Transmission™ (MST) technology which  turns in-store payment terminals where you normally swipe a credit card into contactless readers.

(image credit: kennejima)

While this move doesn’t come close to the wide extent of services Google Wallet offers from direct money transfers to contactless credit and debit card payments on Android phones that sport NFC chips, it is a big step considering the only feature available until now was in-store purchases on Google Play.

Google describes on its commerce blog the directions for using Wallet feature on your Gmail account- To send money in Gmail, hover over the attachment paperclip, click the £ icon to attach money to your message, enter the amount you wish to send, and press send. You can also request money in Gmail by hovering over the attachment paperclip and clicking the £ icon to attach the request to a Gmail message. They have also posted a video to assist users.

While Google Wallet allows users to send money to people without Gmail accounts, both the sending and receiving parties will be required to set up a Google Wallet Balance and link their debit card or bank account to it. After that, the money can be kept in the Wallet Balance for later sending, for spending on Google Play, the user can quickly transfer it to their bank account.

Following in- line after ApplePay which is hugely popular amongst iOS users, Google wallet is driven towards providing mobile payment solutions to Android users. Apple has confirmed it aims to bring Pay to U.K. iPhones and merchants in 2015.

Both ApplePay and Google Wallet are competing with the more popular PayPal, Cash and Venmo mobile payment services. However, by introducing online transfers via Gmail in the UK, Google will be able to set up a market base of users signing up for Google Wallet for when it eventually launches more services in the UK.

(image credit: Sergio Uceda)

Google Wallet has struck up a partnership with payment processor WePay and added about 200,000 online stores to support Google wallet. WePay facilitates transactions between merchants and payers on their platform, invoicing applications, marketplaces, and donation platforms like GoFundMe. It also provides payment processing for some 200,000 small and medium online businesses through its relationship with InvoiceASAP.

WePay announced the partnership saying- “We think it’s great that the two most dominant players in mobile, Google and Apple, are investing in mobile wallet solutions that help address the very real usability problem around payments. Today, we’re thrilled to announce our first integration with a mobile wallet — WePay now supports Google Wallet Instant Buy”. WePay is now integrated into Google wallet’s Instant Buy API. The two- tap Instant Buy System allows users to make transactions without revealing sensitive information to third parties.

“This integration with WePay will now expand its reach and allow us to support small business owners through WePay’s hosted payment offering, making it easier for them to accept payments online and on mobile devices,” Steve Klebe, Business Development, Payments for Google told VentureBeat.

Google Wallet, although launched in 2013, is looking to expand its use of API to more mobile devices. According to Wepay, mobile devices account for 60 percent of Internet traffic, but less than 20 percent of online transactions. They attribute this to the cumbersome process of entering credit card info into the device and most people abandon the process halfway through.

WePay said that they would be making more such announcements in the future as they want to make it as easy as possible for any online platform to take advantage of mobile wallet technologies.

“We started with Google Wallet because Android is shipped on the majority of smart phones globally, and Google Wallet can be used both in native applications and on the mobile web. That means it currently serves the most users in the most contexts, and that makes for an excellent first step.”- Rich Aberman, WePay co- founder and COO wrote on the company blog.

Digital wallets came into the spotlight after the launch of Apple Pay last year. Google introduced it’s digital payment solution for android users to capitalise on it. Paypal however remains the preferred digital payment platform on the internet.

Google is also touching all bases with mobile payments. Some recent reports suggest that Google is negotiating to acquire Softcard, the mobile-payments system launched by mobile operators Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in 2010. All three of Softcard’s backers blocked customers from installing Google Wallet on their smartphones when Google launched its own payments system in 2011.

(image source: denebola2025)