Google today updated its Google Wallet app, adding several new features including gift card support and a new request money option.

New gift card management options join loyalty cards within the Google Wallet app, allowing users to store gift card information directly in the app. Gift cards can be redeemed in stores with the app, making it unnecessary to hold onto physical cards.

googlewalletgiftcard
Gift cards can be added manually or using the device's camera and for cards from participating retailers like AMC, Best Buy, Nike, and more, users are able to check gift card balance in real time and get location-based reminders to use cards when in a store.

It's now possible to use the Google Wallet app to request money from friends and family, sending a notification with an attached message.

For all those times when your friends forget to pay you back for dinner, you can simply request money using the Google Wallet app (for U.S. users, 18 years and older). They will receive a notification and can instantly pay you back. If they need a reminder, you can send them a friendly nudge from within the app. You can also send your friends a message right within Gmail, and request money just like you would attach a picture.

Finally, Google has introduced a Spanish language option and made it free to send money in the app when using a debit card. Previously, sending money required a 2.9 percent transaction fee from both a credit card and a debit card.

Google Wallet can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

outphase Avatar
146 months ago
Yeah, and Venmo, etc. There are a million of these things. Did you get paid to write this?
Nope. Venmo is also owned by eBay so I didn't mention it. Did you get paid to write that?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
146 months ago
Creepy Google is creepy. I'm not about to turn over detailed purchase history to the likes of Eric Schmidt, Larry Page, or their minions.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefourthpope Avatar
146 months ago
Check out Square Cash. It's from the company that makes iPhone/iPad credit card readers. You link your debit card and you can send money to other people and have it auto-credited to your bank account without a separate account that holds the money until you withdraw like PayPal. You get $1 free just for signing up.

Non-referral link (http://square.com/cash/)

Nice to know about, thanks.
Still feels dirty giving google ALL of my info. Better to spread it out amongst the internet myself.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yvan256 Avatar
146 months ago
Google Wallet only works in a handful of countries.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kuwxman Avatar
146 months ago
Yeah but I can pay for my Starbucks with Passbook = True innovation ;)

:rolleyes: You could use Google Wallet to do the same on the iPhone if Apple wasn't so far behind the times with NFC technology. Android users have been able to pay for things with their phones for years.

----------

Creepy Google is creepy. I'm not about to turn over detailed purchase history to the likes of Eric Schmidt, Larry Page, or their minions.
There is always at least one of you per thread...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOSaddict Avatar
146 months ago
People use Google Wallet?

Apart from the Android crowd, is there anyone out there who actually uses this? lol
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

airpods translate

AirPods Live Translation Blocked for EU Users With EU Apple Accounts

Thursday September 11, 2025 4:01 am PDT by
Apple's new Live Translation feature for AirPods will be off-limits to millions of European users when it arrives next week, with strict EU regulations likely holding back its rollout. Apple says on its feature availability webpage that "Apple Intelligence: Live Translation with AirPods" won't be available if both the user is physically in the EU and their Apple Account region is in the EU....
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Models Are eSIM-Only in These Countries

Tuesday September 9, 2025 12:23 pm PDT by
Apple continues to phase out the physical SIM card tray on iPhones, with the latest models relying solely on eSIM technology in more countries. The new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max support eSIMs only in these countries and regions, according to Apple: Bahrain Canada Guam Japan Kuwait Mexico Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Un...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Didn't Pre-Order a New iPhone Yet? Here's How Long the Wait is Now

Friday September 12, 2025 6:11 am PDT by
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air pre-orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in the U.S. and many other countries today. If you have yet to place a pre-order, you might face a longer wait now, depending on your desired configuration. As of shortly after 6 a.m. Pacific Time today, nearly all iPhone 17 Pro Max configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. are facing ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders

Wednesday September 10, 2025 12:30 am PDT by
Apple held its annual iPhone event on Tuesday, September 9, to unveil the iPhone 17, ultra-thin iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. All of the new iPhone models will be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time / 8 a.m. Eastern Time in the U.S. and dozens of other countries, according to Apple. The release date for the devices is one week...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

Skipping the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday September 10, 2025 8:33 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. If you are skipping the iPhone 17 Pro and want to know about what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro models, we have recapped a few of the key rumors below. Under-Screen Face ID In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Apple Announces iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max With New Design, Larger Battery, and More

Tuesday September 9, 2025 10:59 am PDT by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both devices feature a new aluminum unibody design, with the Ceramic Shield now protecting both the front and back sides. Apple says the front side is now Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance, while the rear Ceramic Shield is advertised as 4x more resistant to cracks compared to the back glass on previous...
iphone 17 pro dark blue

The Camera Plateau: What's New With the iPhone 17 Pro Cameras

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:53 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, Apple introduced a new design for the rear of the device. Instead of a camera bump, we now have a camera plateau that spans almost the entire back of the iPhone. The camera plateau houses an upgraded camera system that includes a revamped Telephoto lens. All three of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max cameras are 48 megapixels, and there are five zoom...
better iphone 17 lineup

Apple Lists iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Battery Capacities

Tuesday September 9, 2025 1:25 pm PDT by
Apple has confirmed the battery capacities for the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models that were announced earlier today. Apple is required to publish energy labels on its iPhone product pages in the EU, and they reveal the official mAh battery capacities for the devices. Here are the battery capacities for each model, according to Apple: iPhone 17:...