We are writing to inform you about changes to your Google Pay experience. As we continue to provide safe and seamless payments to users around the world, we are also simplifying the app experience in the U.S. For years, Google Wallet has been the primary place to securely store payment cards used for tap and pay in stores, alongside your other digital items like transit cards, driver’s license or state IDs, and more. While in-store and online payments via Google Pay are unchanged, the U.S. version of the standalone Google Pay app will no longer be available for use starting June 4, 2024.
Anywhere you normally use Google Pay — from checking out online to tapping and paying in stores — remains the same. If you use your Android phone to shop in stores where Google Pay is accepted, you can continue to tap to pay in stores with the Google Wallet app. Learn more about Google Wallet.
Here are the key changes and important dates:
• As of today you will no longer be able to view or activate deals in the app. If you previously activated a deal, and are still waiting for cash back, regular reward timelines apply. We know finding the best deal is important when shopping, which is why we launched a new deals destination on Search.
• Changes to peer-to-peer payments: As of June 4, 2024, you will no longer be able to send money to, request, or receive money from others through the U.S. version of the Google Pay app.
• Manage your Google Pay balance from the Google Pay app until June 4, 2024: You can use the U.S. version of the Google Pay app until June 4, 2024 to view and transfer your Google Pay balance to your bank account. You can continue to view and transfer your funds to your bank account after June 4, 2024 from the Google Pay website. Learn more about transferring money out of Google Pay.
Source: email update
[Edit: post title and source]
I've not had a standalone Google pay app in years, why was it still a thing in the US?
I used it for peer-to-peer payments. Guess I'll join Venmo like everyone else now.
Are you not able to just pay someone from your bank account?
I can, but this generates a paper check which gets mailed to their address over the course of several business days, so it's not the most convenient. I guess I could ask them for a voided check so I can make an ACH transfer to their bank account using the account and routing numbers, but that's a lot of work and takes several days to clear.
You still use cheques in the US??? I see why you need this app now
Also, while we in Germany use PayPal rather than Venmo, the reason is, that a direct transfer takes much longer (2 business days), instead of immediate arrival of the money via PayPal and while there is the possibility of immediate bank transfers, most banks charge money for that (mine charges 50ct), while PayPal is free.
Haven’t used a paper cheque in my life though. It’s either digital or cash.
In the UK bank transfers are usually instant and free, although PayPal is still used in situations where you wouldn't want to give out your bank details
According to this thread, India and Canada are the only major countries to have figured out how to transfer money nearly instantly from bank account to bank account without actually revealing account details.
(Yes, this is just me depending on Murphy's law. I'll wait for you all to correct me and let me know all the countries that have reached this stage.)