Set up Google Wallet

For Android owners. Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) lets you complete any web checkout that supports it in about five seconds with fingerprint or face unlock, without ever typing your card number.

Naming note. What used to be called "Google Pay" was renamed to "Google Wallet" in 2022. Some banks and merchants still say "Google Pay"; they mean the same thing. The app on your phone is called Google Wallet.

What you'll need

An Android phone running Android 9 or later with Google Play Services.
A screen lock set up (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face unlock). Wallet requires one — biometric is recommended.
A debit or credit card from a Canadian bank that supports Google Wallet (all major banks and most credit unions do).

Install Google Wallet if it isn't already

Open the Play Store.
Search for Google Wallet.
Tap Install (or Update if you have an older version called "Google Pay"). On most newer phones, Wallet is pre-installed.
Open Wallet. Sign in with your Google account if prompted.

Add a card to Google Wallet

Open Google Wallet.
Tap Add to Wallet (or the + button).
Choose Payment card.
Either point your camera at your physical card to scan it, or tap Enter card details manually and type the card number, expiry, and CVV.
Confirm your billing address.
Read and accept the terms.
Your bank will verify the card. Most banks offer two options:
- In-app approval: if you have your bank's mobile app, it may show a Wallet verification prompt — tap approve.
- Code by SMS, email, or phone: your bank sends a short code; type it back into Wallet to finish.
Done. Your card now appears in Wallet.

Tip. You can add multiple cards. The first one is your default; you can change which is default by opening Wallet, tapping the card, then tapping Set as default for payment.

Use Google Wallet at any web checkout

Once a card is in Wallet, any Chrome (or other supported browser) checkout that accepts Google Pay shows a G Pay button. To complete a purchase:

Tap the Google Pay button on the checkout page.
A payment sheet shows your default card, billing address, and shipping if relevant. Review.
Authorize with fingerprint, face unlock, or your screen-lock PIN.
The transaction completes. You'll get a notification and the checkout page will move on.

Common issues

The G Pay button doesn't appear on a checkout I expected

Google Pay only appears when (a) you're using Chrome or another supported browser on Android, and (b) the merchant has wired Google Pay into their checkout. Manifold services use Stripe Checkout, which shows Google Pay automatically when your device supports it.

"Couldn't verify your card"

This is almost always a bank-side check, not Google's. Open your bank's mobile app and check whether they require you to approve the Wallet enrollment there. If your bank doesn't have an app, request a verification code by SMS or call the number on the back of your card.

Wallet says "Add a screen lock to use Google Wallet"

Wallet requires a screen lock for security. Go to Settings → Security & privacy → Screen lock and set up at least a PIN. Fingerprint or face unlock makes payments faster.

Removing a card

Open Wallet, tap the card, tap the menu (three dots), then Remove payment method. This only removes Google's local token — your actual card and bank account aren't affected.

How private is this?

Like Apple Pay, Google Wallet doesn't send your real card number to the merchant. The merchant gets a device-specific virtual account number (a "DPAN") that's useless to anyone else. Even Google itself sees only summary data, not the merchant-level detail of every purchase. This is meaningfully more private than typing your card into a web form.

Next: How saving a card on Manifold checkout works →