Jerry Hildenbrand / Android Authority
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Summary
- Google Wallet is looking to implement new verification features for everyday contactless transactions, akin to those used for public transport.
- A new “Tap to pay” feature has been discovered in the app’s verification settings.
- Currently, selecting this option results in an app crash, leaving the specific features and security measures still unknown.
For users of Google Wallet, the ease of paying by simply tapping your phone is well-known. However, this convenience comes with inherent risks, which is why Google Wallet mandates identity verification to complete transactions.
This verification is only valid for a short duration, after which users must confirm their identity again for further payments. While this isn’t overly burdensome, Google might want to offer more flexibility in the future.
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To comprehend the forthcoming changes, it’s crucial to understand how the current verification process in Google Wallet operates. To execute a contactless payment, users must verify their identity through a supported screen lock method, which can be a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric methods such as fingerprints or face recognition. After unlocking the phone, users simply hold it close to a payment terminal to finalize the transaction.
This verification lasts “a few minutes,” and any subsequent payments require re-verification, which is also necessary if the user opened the Google Wallet app after using a less secure biometric method.
This requirement can be irritating to some users, and while there is a workaround available, it does not pertain to standard contactless transactions. Users can disable the verification for supported transit systems in the settings, allowing them to tap and pay for transportation without unlocking their phone first. However, this doesn’t apply to regular payments, something Google seems to be exploring.
Potential New Features for Google Wallet Users
In the latest version of Google Wallet, users can manually activate a new option labeled Tap to pay within the verification settings. The interface prompts users to indicate whether verification is needed for using items stored in Wallet, with the Tap to pay feature clearly listed.
This addition indicates that Google might introduce a similar verification exemption for standard contactless payments, much like what is available for public transport. While this could enhance user experience, there are potential security concerns if this verification is removed, especially if someone else gains access to your device.
Currently, selecting the new Tap to pay feature causes Google Wallet to crash, making it unknown what specific security measures may accompany this new option.
This feature remains under development, and it is uncertain when or if Google will launch it.
⚠️ A thorough analysis of the app can reveal potential future features based on incomplete coding; however, such projected features may not necessarily be included in the final release.
