Google Pay launches in Australia

Google's refreshed mobile payment solution - Google Pay - is now rolling out in Australia, replacing Android Pay. 

While Google Pay keeps all of Android Pay's functionality, the new app has a refreshed design. The main screen now shows you your primary card, as well as recent transactions and rewards. A secondary card tab groups all of the cards you've added to Google Pay, as well as cards for loyalty programs and gift vouchers.

After you've installed the Google Pay app and popping in your credit card or debit card details, you'll be able to checkout at any contactless payment terminal by waking up your phone and tapping it on the card reader.

Three of Australia's big four banks support Google Play: ANZ, Commonwealth, and Westpac. A complete list of financial institutions that support Google Pay is available here.

While Google Pay is currently designed for smartphones (any Android device with NFC running Kit Kat 4.4 or better), Google is working on integrating it into its other products, including the Chrome internet browser and Google Assistant.

The news coincides with Commonwealth Bank announcing Samsung Pay support for Mastercard card holders: any Commonwealth customer with a Mastercard credit or debit card is now able to use them with Samsung Pay on any Samsung Pay-compatible Galaxy smartphone.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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