In a strategic move aimed at consolidating its payment services, Google has announced the imminent closure of Google Pay in the United States. The decision comes as the tech giant shifts its focus towards bolstering its digital wallet offering, Google Wallet.
In a blog post released on Thursday, Google revealed that the standalone Google Pay app in the U.S. would cease operations by June 4, 2024. However, it's important to note that the Google Pay app will continue to operate as usual in other regions such as India and Singapore.
According to the announcement, Google Wallet has garnered significantly higher usage compared to Google Pay, particularly among Android users. Its versatility in storing credit cards for tap-to-pay transactions, digital IDs, and public transit passes has solidified its position as a more practical alternative.
This move is not unprecedented for Google, which has a history of introducing and subsequently discontinuing products based on market demand and commercial viability. The Google graveyard is replete with examples such as Jamboard, Stadia (its cloud gaming service), and Google Play Music.
Despite the impending closure of Google Pay, users need not fret. Until June 4, they can continue utilizing the U.S. version of the app for their payment needs. Furthermore, even after the shutdown, users will still have the option to transfer funds from their Google Pay accounts to their bank accounts via the Google Pay website.
