# What is Google Pay? Everything you need to know about Google’s online payment service

In 2011, Google launched Google Wallet, an ambitious [payment service](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/online-payment-gateways-paypal-alternatives/) that made it possible to easily **transfer money peer-to-peer** online and pay in stores with a swipe of your smartphone, all without any additional charges. Google Wallet, now called Google Pay, replaced Google Checkout as the primary electronic banking for Google, turning physical credit cards into a digital service. Use of an NFC chip in a smartphone is accepted by many American retailers for payment, and was the primary function of **Android Pay**. Though cash and credit are still common ways of paying, [mobile payments](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2016/05/who-uses-mobile-payments "Who Uses Mobile Payments? - pewtrusts.org") are enjoying higher levels of popularity in the US.

With Google Wallet, customers were able to request a physical credit card that they could use to pay in stores that supported MasterCard. This option was abandoned in 2016, however. At the beginning of 2018, Google announced the fusion of Google Wallet and Android Pay into Google Pay. Plans to offer the services in more countries are slow, though the list of participating locations is expanding.

[![Image: Interface of Google Pay](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/f/csm_EN-Google-pay_c52af5efaf.webp "Interface of Google Pay")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay.PNG) Interface of Google Pay Google Pay makes it easy to purchase both in-store and online, without having to dig through your purse or wallet for physical credit cards. You can **add as many cards as you want** to your Google Pay account, as well as loyalty cards or **even your** [**Paypal**](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/creating-a-paypal-account/) **account**. Cards or accounts that are already saved to your Google account can be used for purchasing without requiring any additional information or login. In addition to the stores and online shops that support Google Pay payments, you can also send money peer-to-peer without needing a bank transfer. Paying with Google Pay keeps your information hidden behind multiple layers of **encryption**, so there are no worries about the safety of the service. Android users can pay in-store with a simple scan that functions without ever needing to display your card number – leaving you clear from any dangers of swiping.

## Setting up Google Pay

If you already have a Google account, then all you need to do to set up Google Pay is log in. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to register for a new [Google account](https://accounts.google.com/SignUp "Create a new Google account").

[![Image: Log in to Google](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/5/csm_En-Google-pay-2_5eb28152f6.webp "Log in to Google")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/En-Google-pay-2.PNG) Log in to Google Because you already get access to all Google services with your Google account, your Pay account is already activated. But until you add accounts or credit cards to the service, it won’t yet be functional.

## Google Pay: main functions

As users of Google are already aware, the service places great value on clarity and simple handling. The interface of Google Pay is also quite neat and tidy. On the upper left side, you’ll find all available features.

[![Image: Main functions of Google Pay](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/0/8/csm_EN-Google-pay-3_8d9e65c4f5.webp "Main functions of Google Pay")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-3.PNG) Main functions of Google Pay With ‘**Send or request**’, you can transfer money directly from peer-to-peer or send a money request to another user.

[![Image: Send and request money via Google Pay](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/2/csm_En-Google-pay-4_c873396a16.webp "Send and request money via Google Pay")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/En-Google-pay-4.PNG) Send and request money via Google Pay ‘**Transactions**’ provides an overview of all payments and deposits. In the ‘**Payment methods**’ menu, you can add credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts.

[![Image: Google Pay: Register debit cards and bank accounts](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/3/csm_EN-Google-pay-5_ec2004f820.webp "Google Pay: Register debit cards and bank accounts")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-5.PNG) Google Pay: Register debit cards and bank accounts Once you add a card or account, it appears as an option in the ‘Payment methods’ menu and can be selected for any relevant transfer options.

[![Image: Google Pay: Payment methods](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/0/8/csm_EN-Google-pay-6_95788006f7.webp "Google Pay: Payment methods")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-6.PNG) Google Pay: Payment methods The ‘**Cash out**’ function allows you to transfer funds from your Pay account to one of your linked accounts.

[![Image: Bank transfer in Google Pay](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/a/csm_EN-Google-pay-8_2fc188cf3f.webp "Bank transfer in Google Pay")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-8.PNG) Bank transfer in Google Pay The ‘**Settings**’ tab gives you access to all of your account settings. Here, you have the option to set a PIN that will then be required if you use the Google Pay app or pay online. You can also activate your Google Pay account for commercial purposes – though as of now, this service only supports private individuals, not corporations or non-profits. A newsletter subscription is also possible here.

[![Image: Settings in Google Pay](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/f/csm_EN-Google-pay-9_d10f8e598b.webp "Settings in Google Pay")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-9.PNG) Settings in Google Pay The ‘**Help & support**’ section gives you access to Google’s help center. As of now, this is only available in English. Clicking ‘**Send feedback**’ brings you to a form that you can fill out in case of problems or if you simply want to give any overall feedback.

## Google Pay as an app

With the Google Pay app ([Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel "Google Pay in the Google Play Store") and [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-pay-send/id575923525?mt=8 "Google Pay Send in the App Store")), you can use all of the **same functions as the web application** on your mobile phone. You can also chat with the built-in messaging function to better document money transfers. You also have the option to set fingerprint identification or a PIN. The built-in bill splitting function is also very practical for easily dividing up a check.

[YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41J6NmAMIQY)The PIN and fingerprint identification functions offer additional protection if you choose to turn them on. In general, Google has its own set quality standard when it comes to security. But should you encounter fraud or any other problems, you can always turn to Google’s customer service.

## Google Pay – security and data protection

Google Pay is considered to be **at least as secure as other payment services**. Because of its connection with a Google account, though, there is a higher risk if your data is stolen: Unauthorized users now not only have access to your money that’s linked to Google Pay, but also to your e-mails in Gmail and your Google Drive. The more services you use with your Google account, the more important it is to protect your login data. But, after all: Google Pay hides all important credit card information as soon as you enter it. Only the last four digits of the card number or provider are shown in the browser and app. [Google promises](https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ "Google Privacy Policy") that information on credit cards and accounts is encrypted and stored on secure servers. Google also states that suspicious actions are detected and accounts are [protected from fraud and phishing](https://payments.google.com/payments/apis-secure/get_legal_document?ldo=0&ldt=privacynotice "Google Payments Privacy Notice") in regard to the data protection check. In 2012, a [security breach](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/46332574/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/google-wallet-flaws-let-attackers-view-card-info/ "Google Wallet flaws let attackers view card info - nbcnews.com") was closed relatively quickly by Google. The discovery was of a loophole that allowed hackers to steal credit card information during payment transactions via the NFC function. In recent years, there have been no negative reports about the security of Google Wallet (or Google Pay). You should always be aware, though, that entering credit card or account information comes with a slight risk. If you use payment services such as Google Pay on a computer or smartphone, then you need to have an **antivirus program** or **firewall** installed to adequately protect yourself against data misuse (e.g. keyloggers).

## Google Pay - delete an account

If you’re in a Google app, click on your profile image in the upper-right corner and select ‘My account’. On the following page, under the ‘Account settings’ section, you’ll find the option to ‘Delete your account or services’.

[![Image: Delete a Google service or your entire account](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/c/csm_EN-Google-pay-10_17c72d554d.webp "Delete a Google service or your entire account")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2018/EN-Google-pay-10.PNG) Delete a Google service or your entire account Since **Google Pay itself isn’t removable**, you’ll have to delete your entire Google account if you want to get rid of it, including Gmail and YouTube. Do this with caution. If you just want to deactivate your use of Google Pay, then you can permanently [close your payment profile](https://support.google.com/payments/answer/6220311?hl "Permanently close your Google payments profile").


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/google-pay/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/google-pay/) for AI/LLM consumption.