Google Wallet may soon come to India

Update 23/4/2024 05:33 pm (IST): While news of Google Wallet’s arrival in India via the Play Store has sparked excitement among users who shared experiences and screenshots online, the rollout appears limited. Many users are currently unable to download the app, suggesting a staggered launch.

Update 15/4/2024 09:33 am (IST): Google Wallet appears to be rolling out in India. If your phone has NFC, you might be able to add cards and use Google Wallet for payments similar to Google Pay. There are also indications that wearOS watches, like the OnePlus Watch 2, could gain support in the future.

Google Wallet, which lets you store IDs, payment cards, passes, and more, might soon be coming to your Pixel phone in India after years of availability in select markets across the globe. While currently unavailable, recent discoveries in Google Play Services and Google Wallet APK teardowns hint at its upcoming launch.

While India currently uses Google Pay (or simply GPay) for UPI payments, Google Wallet will certainly offer much more not just for Pixel users, but also Android users in general. Unlike its global counterpart, the Indian version of Gpay lacks features like tap to pay and the storage of IDs and passes, features that should be available in Google Wallet once it arrives in India.

Within the latest versions of Google Wallet and Google Play Services, the keen-eyed guys at AssembleDebug have spotted new flags and code snippets hinting at forthcoming enhancements tailored for Indian users. Among these discoveries are the introduction of flags below within the com.google.android.gms.pay package of Google Play Services.

• EarlyCheckInWalletIndia__force_enable_feature
• EarlyCheckInWalletIndia__enable_feature

While the exact features these flags enable remain undisclosed, their presence strongly hint at the company’s proactive efforts toward adapting Google Wallet for the Indian market. Similarly, analysis of the Google Wallet APK has revealed flags below, further indicating Google’s focus on Indian users. Although these flags currently remain inactive, they serve as clear indications of ongoing developments aimed at bringing Google Wallet to India.

While these changes may not immediately alter the user interface or introduce new features to Google Wallet, they signify that Google is cooking up something that’ll likely materialize in future iterations of the app. Notably, recent code additions within Google Play Services also hint at potential integration with India’s Digilocker service, allowing users to add things like a driving license and Aadhaar card to the app. Here are the strings of code found in the latest Play Services APK.

These strings suggest forthcoming support for storing essential documents such as PAN cards and driver’s licenses directly within the Google Wallet app in India. This development aligns with Google’s aim to streamline digital document management and enhance user convenience akin to services like Samsung Pass. This should change the way Indians manage their documents by offering a seamless and secure solution for accessing critical records on the go.

These changes within the latest Google Play Services and Google Wallet APKs hint at Google’s plans for India. Flags and code specifically related to India suggest features like tap-to-pay and support for storing important documents are in the works. While these features aren’t currently available in India, the signs are promising. So keep an eye out for future updates as Google Wallet might soon revolutionize the way you manage your money, documents, and more in India.