As announced in February, Google Pay (GPay) is no longer available in the United States. This change took effect on June 4, automatically signing US users out of the GPay app on their Android devices. Upon attempting to log in again, users are informed that “The Google Pay US app is no longer available. You can still tap to pay using the Google Wallet app.”
Transition to Google Wallet
Google has shifted its focus from GPay to Google Wallet. The new emphasis is on digitizing everything in your physical wallet rather than offering peer-to-peer payments or financial tracking functionalities. Google Wallet now serves as the primary app for contactless payments, allowing users to tap to pay at physical stores. The transition means that features like viewing and transferring your balance, including money received or rewards, are still accessible through the Google Pay website.
The Vision for Google Pay and Its Redesign
The redesigned Google Pay was initially announced in 2020 with the promise of making money simple, secure, and helpful. The redesign centered around building relationships with people and businesses, featuring message-like conversations that served as a purchase history. The app also introduced the “Insights” tab to track bank accounts and credit cards via Plaid and offered numerous deals and cash-back offers.
The Rise and Fall of Plex Accounts
In November 2022, Google previewed co-branded checking and savings accounts known as “Plex Accounts.” These accounts were part of a partnership with banks and credit unions, including Citi, and aimed to offer physical cards along with customizable savings goals. One notable feature was the ability to round up transfers on all purchases to help meet savings goals.
Despite a waitlist of 400,000 people, Google canceled the Plex project in October 2021. The official reason for the cancellation was a strategic shift towards delivering digital enablement for banks and other financial services providers rather than Google serving as the direct provider of these services.
Conclusion
With GPay discontinued in the US, Google Wallet is now the go-to app for tap-to-pay functionalities and managing digital versions of physical wallet items. Although the initial ambitious plans for Google Pay’s redesign did not come to full fruition, users can still rely on Google Wallet for their payment needs.
