What Is Google Wallet? Everything You Need to Know
Your Android phone helps you stay connected, shop online and get through your day. But did you know it can also be your wallet?
Google Wallet lets you securely add your Merchantrade Money Visa card to your compatible Android phone or Wear OS smartwatch and simply tap to pay wherever Visa contactless payments are accepted. You can also enjoy faster checkout on supported websites and apps without entering your card details every time.
Whether you’re buying your morning coffee, paying for groceries or travelling overseas, Google Wallet makes everyday payments quicker and more convenient.
Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
What Is Google Wallet?
Google Wallet is Google’s digital wallet app that securely stores a digital version of your Merchantrade Money card on your compatible Android phone or Wear OS smartwatch.
Instead of reaching for your physical card or opening an app to scan a QR code, simply unlock your phone or smartwatch and tap to pay.
Google Wallet can also store supported digital items such as:
- Boarding passes
- Event tickets
- Loyalty cards
- Transit passes
- Gift cards
Everything stays organised in one place, making it easy to access whenever you need it.
Why Use Google Wallet?
Most of us already have our phone in hand. With Google Wallet, there’s no need to search for your wallet or wait for a QR code to load. Simply unlock your phone and tap.
Imagine you’re in line at 7-Eleven before work or grabbing a quick lunch at a busy cafe. Instead of unlocking your eWallet or banking app, waiting for the QR scanner to open and scanning the QR code, you simply unlock your phone and tap. Done.
It’s free to use. Adding and using your Merchantrade Money card on Google Wallet doesn’t cost anything extra.
It doesn’t replace QR payments or your physical card. It simply gives you another convenient way to pay whenever it suits you.
How Does Google Wallet Work?
Google Wallet doesn’t store your money. It is a digital version of your physical wallet.
When you add your Merchantrade Money card, a secure digital version of your card is stored on your device while your money remains safely in your Merchantrade Money eWallet.
When you tap to pay, Google Wallet uses a secure digital token instead of sharing your actual card number with the merchant, helping protect your payment information.
Your purchases continue to appear in your Merchantrade Money app, making it easy to keep track of your spending just as you would when using your physical card.
Where Can You Use Google Wallet?
One of the best things about Google Wallet is that it works in many of the places you already shop, dine and travel.
In Malaysia
You can use it when you’re buying breakfast before work, picking up groceries after office hours, or shopping at the mall, Google Wallet makes everyday payments quick and easy.
No need to worry about holding up the queue while searching for your payment card or launching your eWallet. Simply unlock your phone or smartwatch and tap wherever Visa contactless payments are accepted.
Overseas
You can even use Google Wallet overseas and it doesn’t incur any additional charges. Your payment is processed the same way as using your physical Merchantrade Money card.
Imagine you’ve just arrived in London. You tap to pay for the Tube, grab a coffee, browse a few shops or enjoy dinner, all without taking out your wallet. If you already hold British Pounds (GBP) in your Merchantrade Money multi-currency wallet, your purchase is deducted directly from your GBP balance. The same applies when you’re paying in the US using your US Dollar (USD) balance or shopping in Hong Kong with your Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) balance.
If you’ve already exchanged and hold the local currency before your trip, eligible purchases are deducted directly from your available foreign currency balance. This lets you lock in your exchange rate before you travel and avoid unnecessary foreign currency conversions at the time of payment.
Online & In Apps
Google Wallet isn’t just for paying in stores. You can also enjoy a faster checkout on supported websites and apps without entering your card details every time. Simply select Google Pay at checkout.
Whether you’re booking flights, ordering food or shopping online, paying takes just a few taps.
Can You Pay with a Wear OS Smartwatch?
Yes. If you have a compatible Wear OS smartwatch with Google Wallet set up, you can pay even if your phone is in your pocket.
It’s especially handy when you’re:
- Going for a run or walk
- Carrying shopping bags
- Travelling light
- Commuting on public transport
- Grabbing a quick coffee
Just wake your watch and hold it near the contactless payment terminal to pay.
How To Pay With Google Wallet
Google Wallet vs Google Pay: What’s the Difference?
Google Wallet is the app where your Merchantrade Money card is stored.
Google Pay is the payment service that lets you pay in stores, online and in supported apps using the cards saved in Google Wallet.
Together, they make payments quick, easy and secure.
Is Google Wallet Safe?
Yes. Google Wallet is designed with multiple layers of security to help protect your payment information.
When you pay with Google Wallet, your actual card number isn’t shared with the merchant. Instead, a unique digital token is used to process the payment, helping keep your card details private.
Every payment must also be authorised using your fingerprint, face recognition or device passcode, so only you can make purchases from your device.
If your phone is ever lost or stolen, you can use Find My Device to locate, lock or erase it remotely, giving you added peace of mind.
Together, these security features help make Google Wallet a secure and convenient way to pay, whether you’re in Malaysia or travelling overseas.
Which Devices Support Google Wallet?
Google Wallet is available on compatible Android devices that support NFC (Near Field Communication), including:
- Compatible Android smartphones
- Compatible Wear OS smartwatches
To use Google Wallet, you’ll also need:
- Android 9.0 or later
- The latest version of the Google Wallet app
- A Google account
Not sure if your device is supported? Check here for Google Wallet supported devices
Even if you don’t have Google Wallet pre-installed on your device, you can always download & install it from the Play Store.
How to Add Your Merchantrade Money Card to Google Wallet
There are two ways to add your Merchantrade Money card to Google Wallet.
- Add it directly from the Merchantrade Money app (recommended), or
- Add it manually through the Google Wallet app.
Before you begin, make sure:
- Your Merchantrade Money app is updated to the latest version.
- Google Wallet is installed on your compatible Android device.
- NFC is enabled on your phone.
Method 1: Add your card from the Merchantrade Money app
New Google Wallet users
If you’re using Google Wallet for the first time, you will need to set it up first, then add your Merchantrade Money card.
- Launch Play Store and install Google Wallet
- Sign in to your Google account
- Next, open your phone Settings, search for NFC and enable it.
- Tap Contactless payments, then select Google Wallet.
- Close Settings and open the Merchantrade Money app.
- Tap the Google Wallet icon.
- Verify with app passcode or fingerprint.
- Tap Add to Google Wallet and tap Confirm.
- Next, tap Add to Wallet on the Google Wallet screen.
- Review the details and accept Google’s Terms.
- Done! Your card is ready to use with Google Wallet.
Existing Google Wallet users
You can add your card directly from the Merchantrade Money app.
- Open your Merchantrade Money app.
- Tap the Google Wallet icon.
- Verify with app passcode or fingerprint.
- Tap Add to Google Wallet.
- Tap Confirm.
- Tap Add to Wallet.
- Review the details and accept Google’s Terms.
- Done! Your card is ready to use with Google Wallet.
Method 2: Add your card from Google Wallet
New Google Wallet users
First you need to setup Google Wallet, then add your Merchantrade Money card.
- Launch Play Store and install Google Wallet
- Sign in to your Google account
- Next, open your phone Settings, search for NFC and enable it.
- Tap Contactless payments, then select Google Wallet.
- Close Settings and open Google Wallet.
- Tap Add payment card, then select Payment card.
- Tap New credit or debit card.
- Scan your card or enter card details manually.
- Check your card details and enter your Security Code.
- Enter your personal details if required and click Save & continue.
- Review the Terms of Service and tap Agree.
- Select your preferred verification method.
- For Sign in to bank app, tap Approve in the Merchantrade Money app. For Text message, enter the OTP received in SMS.
- Done! Your card is ready to use with Google Wallet.
For existing Google Wallet users
You can add your card directly from Google Wallet.
- Launch the Google Wallet app.
- Tap View more (+) icon.
- Select Payment card.
- Tap New credit or debit card.
- Scan your card or enter card details manually.
- Check your card details and enter your Security Code.
- Enter your personal details if required and click Save & continue.
- Review the Terms of Service and tap Agree.
- Choose Select your preferred verification method.
- For Sign in to bank app, tap Approve in the Merchantrade Money app. For Text me a code, enter the OTP received in SMS.
- Done! Your card is ready to use with Google Wallet.
Before making your first payment, make sure these settings are enabled in your Merchantrade Money app:
Go to Settings > click Card Settings
Enable:
✔️ Visa payWave
✔️ Mobile Wallet
These settings are required before you can make contactless payments with Google Wallet.
Ready to Try Google Wallet?
Now that you know how Google Wallet works, setting it up only takes a few minutes.
Add your Merchantrade Money card and start paying with your Android phone or Wear OS smartwatch wherever Visa contactless payments are accepted.
Fast. Easy. Secure. Tap phone jer.
