Google has revealed its plans to launch its “Google Wallet” service in Egypt starting from January 2025.
Google Wallet is a secure and reliable digital solution that allows you to easily save and manage payment methods, cards, ID cards, tickets, and keys, whereas Google Pay that enables you to make purchases easily online, in applications, or using the contactless payment feature in stores that support the service.
Google Wallet will be the second digital payment tool to be launched in Egypt, days after Apple made its “Apple Pay” service available.
Using Google Pay
To start using Google Pay, you must install the Google Pay or Google Wallet application.
For Android users, Google Wallet is preferable due to its additional features, such as storing ID cards, loyalty cards, event tickets, permits, public transportation cards, and more.
Unlike the Apple Wallet on iOS devices, Google Wallet offers a practical solution for storing a variety of items you would normally carry in your traditional wallet, allowing you to easily access them through your mobile device.
Google Pay is primarily focused on enabling mobile payments, however, the Google Pay app was discontinued on June 4 in the US, making the switch to Google Wallet the best option to take advantage of its more comprehensive features.
However, Google Wallet is currently not available to iOS users, which means that if you own an iPhone, you will need to continue using the Google Pay app instead for the time being.
At the Google Pay mobile app, tap “add account” to add payment methods.
After installing the Google Pay or Google Wallet app, you’ll need to sign in to your Google Account and then add a payment method, such as a credit or debit card, to use the service.
After you’ve added at least one card to your Google Pay account, you can start making mobile payments in stores.
At checkout, look for signs that say Google Pay or contactless payment cards are accepted.
All you have to do is unlock your phone, hold it near the payment symbol, and wait for the transaction to be confirmed, without having to open the app.
If you have set up more than one payment method in Google Wallet, you can choose which one you want to use when paying. To do this, open the app when you get to the checkout area and swipe through the cards until you reach the card you want to use.
Then, hold your phone in front of the payment terminal to complete the transaction as usual.
Are Google Pay & Wallet free?
The good news is that Google Pay is completely free to use. The Google Pay and Google Wallet apps are free to download, and there are no subscription fees or additional charges for making mobile payments.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that purchases made with Google Pay are completely free. Google Pay lets you make payments using credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. So if you normally pay interest or fees when you use your card, you’ll still pay those fees when you use it with Google Pay.
But the beauty of Google Pay is that there are no additional fees to use it.
How secure is it?
Google Pay is surprisingly safer than using a credit card for several reasons.
First, Google Pay’s payments are encrypted, meaning the service sends payment information using a unique code for each purchase. If the data is intercepted, it won’t be useful to a hacker or thief, since your actual credit card information isn’t available.
Perhaps most important is the physical security Google Pay provides. If your physical credit card is lost or stolen, it can be used to make purchases, at least until you notify your credit card company and cancel the card. But when you use Google Pay on your phone, your credit card information is still protected by a passcode or biometric technologies like facial recognition.
Pros and Cons of Google Pay
One of the advantages of Google Pay is its integration with many other popular Google products.
For example, Google offers a price guarantee service through Google Flights, where Google will pay you the difference if the price of your flight drops after you book it. All you need to do is have a Google Pay account to take advantage of this service.
Not only is it a secure and reliable payment system, it is also widely compatible with many retailers. All you need to do is look for the Google Pay symbol or the contactless payment symbol when making a payment.
With the Google Wallet app, Google Pay offers additional benefits, as users store transit cards, boarding passes, loyalty cards and more, all in one place.
However, there are drawbacks to Google Pay.
Although it is popular among retailers, especially in major cities, it is still not available everywhere. You may have difficulty using Google Pay to make purchases, especially in smaller areas or independent stores.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
