GPay app on your Pixel will stop working this June in the US

Pixel users, if you’ve been using Google’s standalone GPay app to manage payments, send money to friends, and snag deals, it’s time for a change. Google is finally pulling the plug on the separate GPay app as of June 4, 2024.

Google wants to streamline your payment experiences. So, they’re pushing everyone towards Google Wallet as the all-in-one hub for digital payments, passes, loyalty cards, and more. This means the familiar “GPay” icon on your Pixel’s home screen will soon bid farewell. Of course, this isn’t surprising considering the fact that Google Wallet basically replaced GPay all the way back in 2022. Google just didn’t axe GPay right away, but it makes sense for the company to move ahead with Google Wallet in focus.

Don’t worry, you can still use your Pixel for contactless tap-to-pay transactions in stores. This functionality moves into Google Wallet. However, you’ll no longer be able to send or request money from friends and family directly through GPay. In addition, instead of in-app deals, you’ll need to search on Google to find hot offers.

Google also says, you can view and transfer your Google Pay balance (any remaining funds from peer-to-peer transactions, rewards, etc.) using the Google Pay app until June 4th. After that, you’ll have to use the Google Pay website. Sadly, the GPay app’s “Insights” tab, which offered a handy overview of your linked bank accounts and spending, disappears with the app. Google currently doesn’t have plans to offer this feature in Google Wallet.

Google Wallet is already built into your Pixel and that’s where you should be storing your payment cards for easy in-store and online transactions. Beyond payments, it can also store digital goodies like:

• Transit passes
• Driver’s licenses
• State IDs
• Loyalty cards
• Vaccine cards

It seems Google’s bet is that Google Wallet’s expanded functionality will more than make up for the loss of the standalone GPay app. Plus, Google states Wallet is used five times more often than the GPay app in the US, so perhaps the majority of users are already on board. That said, GPay will continue to live on in India and Singapore. But there are whispers that Google Wallet might arrive in India soon as well.

If you haven’t already, download the Google Wallet app from the Play Store and start migrating your payment information. Get comfortable with the app’s layout, so the transition in June is smooth. Check out the official Google announcement and resources for a detailed breakdown of the changes.