Google Pay - this is how the payment service works
Google's answer to Apple's payment service "Apple Pay" is "Google Pay", which has recently also integrated PayPal. We'll show you how the service works and whether you can use it too.
Google Pay: How to use the payment service
Android Pay launched Android M in the United States in fall 2015. The service has now been renamed Google Pay and has also been available in Germany since the end of June 2018. You can download the Android app from CHIP for free.
- All Android smartphones from version 5.0 Lollipop are supported. In order to make contactless payments on site in the shop, your smartphone also needs an integrated NFC chip. This is usually the case with newer models.
- To use the service, you must first download and set up the free Google Pay app for Android. The app is linked to your Google account. You also have to provide a delivery and billing address.
- Finally, you have to add the payment method you want. So far, you could only deposit a credit card here, and only if it belongs to one of the credit institutions that have entered into a cooperation with Google. These are currently Commerzbank, Comdirect, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, N26, payment service provider Boon and Revolut.
- However, you can now also save your PayPal account as a payment method and thus use Google Pay even if your house bank has no cooperation with Google.
- To add a payment method, open the app and tap the "Payment" button at the bottom of the screen. Now you can add a payment method by clicking the "+ payment method" button.
Where and how you can pay with Google Pay
Basically, you can use Google Pay to pay your bill wherever contactless payment is possible. For example, this is possible at many supermarkets. You can also pay with Google Pay for some online shops and apps. You can find out what they are on the Google Pay website.
- If you want to make cashless payments with your smartphone in the shop, simply place it at the cash register on the usual payment terminal. The transfer has already been made.
- If the value of the goods is over 25 euros, you must also unlock your cell phone to release the payment.
- Your data is always encrypted and therefore remains securely with Google. The sellers receive the money from Google, your bank details are not transmitted. Google then debits the amount from your Visa credit card, bank account or PayPal account.
- Two symbols (see picture) indicate where you can use Google Pay as a payment method in the shop. If you have linked your PayPal account, you can also pay wherever Mastercard is accepted.
Google Pay promises to only use data to process the purchase
When it comes to bank details, data protection is of course particularly important.
- According to a statement from the DPA, Google Pay reveals less data than a regular credit card in a transaction. The data of the credit cards deposited with Google Pay are neither stored on your smartphone nor at the seller.
- Transactions are always encrypted and are processed via a virtual number, a so-called token.
- In addition, Google promises not to use the data for advertising purposes, but only to process the purchase and to provide the Google Pay services.
- And unlike other payment services, no percentage of the transaction amount goes to Google. According to their own information, the partners also do not pay a fee for using Google Pay.