New verification options in Google Wallet for Android allow you to decide whether to confirm your identity when using your payment methods and passes in Wallet.
In recent days, Verification settings have been broadly introduced. You may notice new cards in the passes list that describe these new options.
Google Wallet is introducing more regular checks for tap-to-pay. If you use Wallet three minutes after unlocking your phone, Google will ask you to confirm your identity again. This verification shows up as a “Verify it’s you” message above the card carousel.
To access the new “Security” section, open Google Wallet, click on your profile picture, and go to Wallet settings. Currently, the Verification settings page only covers “Transit payments”: verifying your identity before you pay for bus, metro, and other services using a credit or debit card.
Google states that the system will first search for transit cards, which do not need verification. If no transit cards are found, a credit or debit card might be used instead.
You can turn off the default “Verification required” toggle. If this is off, you don’t have to confirm your identity before making transit payments with your default credit or debit card, even if your phone is locked.
However, you will still need to verify for all other transactions with this card. This could make public transit payments much faster.
Verification settings are available with version 24.08.12 of Google Play services, and Google Wallet version 24.10.x also saw a broad release today.
This update comes after reports that Google Wallet is requiring device unlocks for tap to pay transactions in stores in some countries, no matter the amount.
What we think?
I think Google Wallet’s new verification settings will make things safer but also a bit slower. Now, every time I use tap-to-pay, it will ask me to confirm who I am if it’s been a few minutes since I last unlocked my phone.
This is good for security, but when I’m in a hurry, like paying for the bus, it might be annoying. At least you can turn off verification for bus payments.
