Google begins to roll out Android Pay at over one million locations across US

Google has begun rolling out Android Pay in the US, enabling users to make instore mobile NFC payments at more than a million locations across the country. The wallet will be introduced gradually over the next few days, working with NFC-enabled Android devices running KitKat 4.4 and above on all US mobile carriers.Initially, Android Pay will only work for instore payments but Goole says that the service will soon be extended to enable user to make in-app purchases as well.

„Today, we’re beginning to roll out Android Pay – the simple and secure way to pay with your Android phone at over one million locations across the US. Android Pay also stores your gift cards, loyalty cards and special offers right on your phone. We’ll be rolling out gradually over the next few days, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to add even more features, banks and store locations in the coming months, making it even easier to pay with your Android phone.”, says Pali Bhat, Director of Product Management, Android Pay.

Android Pay works with all NFC-enabled Android devices (running KitKat 4.4+), on any mobile carrier, at every tap and pay ready location across the US. Android Pay will support credit and debit cards from the four major payment networks: American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. These cards are issued by many of the most popular US banks and credit unions, including American Express, Bank of America, Discover, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC, Regions Bank, USAA, and U.S. Bank. „Wells Fargo will be available in the next few days, Capital One and Citi are coming soon, and we’re adding new banks all the time”, added Pali Bhat.

„We know how important it is to keep your personal and financial information secure, so Android Pay is supported by industry standard tokenization. This means your real credit or debit card number isn’t sent with your payment. Instead, we’ll use a virtual account number that provides an extra layer of security. As soon as you make a purchase, you’ll see a payment confirmation that shows where a given transaction happened, so it’s easy to catch any suspicious activity. And if your phone is ever lost or stolen, simply use Android Device Manager to instantly lock your device from anywhere, secure it with a new password, or even wipe it clean of your personal information.” posted Pali Bhat.

„Later this year, you’ll also be able to use Android Pay to speed through mobile checkout in your favorite apps. And with select merchants, you’ll soon be able to transmit your loyalty cards and special offers with just a tap.”

„If you’re an existing Google Wallet user, you’ll be able to access Android Pay through an update to your Wallet app. For new users, Android Pay will be available for download on Google Play in the next few days, and will come preinstalled on new NFC-enabled Android phones from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.”

With Android Pay hitting the Play store, Google Wallet is also getting a refresh, morphing into an app focused on sending and receiving money. Users can send money directly from their bank accounts, debit cards and Wallet balances to anyone in the US with an email address.