Google is taking on Apple Pay with the launch of its latest features.
The search giant on Tuesday announced that it’s combining the Google Pay and Google Pay Send apps, making it easier for users to send and receive money from their friends.
For now, the feature is only available in the US, but it’s expected to arrive in the UK soon.
Alongside that update, Google also said it’s now allowing users to save tickets to the Google Pay app.
Google on Tuesday announced that it’s combining the Google Pay (pictured) and Google Pay Send apps, making it easier for users to send and receive money from their friends
Google Pay, previously known as Android Pay, was re-launched in February as the firm’s answer to Apple Pay.
‘When we launched Google Pay, our goal was to make it easier to pay in stores with your phone and online using the payment methods saved to your Google Account,’ Google wrote in a blog post.
‘In the past few months, we’ve made this possible by bringing fast, simple checkout to more devices, browsers, and services’
‘Today, we’re starting to roll out updates that will let you do even more with Google Pay,’ the firm continued.
Now, the Google Pay Send app will be migrated over to the main Google Pay app.
Instead of having to navigate between the two apps, users can request and send money, as well as split the bill from one app.
Google is making it easier to access your saved tickets and boarding passes. It functions similarly to Apple Pay, in that users can download and open their tickets in the Google Pay app
‘Just tap on a recent purchase and instantly request money from up to five people,’ Google noted.
By consolidating the two apps, Google is likely to compete even more directly with the likes of Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal and other similar services.
Additionally, Google is making it easier to access your saved tickets and boarding passes.
It’ll function similarly to Apple Pay, in that users can now download and open their tickets in the Google Pay app.
However, it’s still somewhat limited to certain services like Ticketmaster and Southwest.
The firm expects to expand it in the near future to be able to download things from Eventbrite, Singapore Airlines and Vueling.
By consolidating the Google Pay and Google Pay Send apps, Google is likely to compete even more directly with the likes of Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal and other similar services.
Google also said users can access Google Pay from their desktop computer. Visiting pay.google.com will bring users to the website, which is synced with with the app
‘Once your tickets are saved, you’ll find them with your loyalty cards, gift cards, and offers on the Android app’s new Passes tab,’ Google explained.
‘When it’s time for your event or flight, use your phone as your ticket—no printing required.’
The features are being rolled out over the coming weeks, so they’re expected to reach all users soon.
Alongside these features, Google also said users can access Google Pay from their desktop computer.
Visiting pay.google.com will bring users to the website, which is synced with with the app.
This makes it so that users can easily switch between both if they’re on the go.
The updates should help Google Pay gain some ground against its competitors.
Google Pay currently ranks as the third most popular mobile payments service, behind Starbucks and Apple Pay, but ahead of Samsung Pay, according to eMarketer.
HOW DOES APPLE PAY WORK?
Apple Pay is the firm’s mobile payment and virtual wallet service.
It allows customers to make payments using an iPhone, Watch, iPad or Mac.
It works alongside most banks and most major credit and debit cards providers including Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
To use the services, users must link their device, security details and bank card.
To do this, open Wallet, go to settings and find Wallet and Apple Pay in there.
Apple Pay is the Apple’s mobile payment and virtual wallet service. It allows customers to make payments using an iPhone, Watch, iPad or Mac
Here, you can add credit or debit cards.
Before it is activated, the device needs to be authenticated by the bank.
Each bank has different protocols, but their security measures will have to be passed before Apple Pay is fully verified.
After your card is verified, you can tap Next and start using Apple Pay.
Apple Pay requires the Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna and Touch ID or Face ID on iPhone 6 and later to work.
Once set up, you can hold your device near a contactless terminal to authorise a payment.
For most iPhones double pressing the home button will bring up the Apple Pay function, which will use your fingerprint to confirm the transaction.
On the iPhoneX, users must press the sleep/wake button twice to invoke Apple Pay.