How to use my google pay balance

What to Know

• The two ways to pay with Google Pay are in-store payments and P2P payments.
• In-store: Look for the Google Pay or wireless symbol. Unlock your phone and hold it over the terminal.
• P2P: Receive or send money in Google Pay app to approved contacts using a bank account or debit card.

There are two ways to pay with Google, and both use the free payment platform called Google Pay. One use is for buying things and the other is for exchanging money with other users.

Previously called Google Wallet, Google Pay runs on Android [Google Pay for Android] and iPhone [Google Pay for iOS] and has a plethora of features: pay at physical and online stores, earn rewards, manage your money, and send and receive money with friends.

What Is Google Pay?

Google Pay is a combination digital wallet and online bank, plus some. Keep your physical cards in one place by storing debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, coupons, gift cards, and tickets. Send money directly to anyone's account, get cash back when you redeem offers, order food, pay for gas, check out easier online, and even pay for street parking in some areas.

The app uses your card information to make purchases, so you don’t have to transfer money to a special account or open a new bank account to spend your money. When it's time to buy something, the card you choose is used to pay wirelessly.

Android users and compatible smartwatch owners can pay wirelessly with their phone at supported stores, similar to Apple Pay on iOS devices. Both platforms can take advantage of Google Pay's online features to do things like split expenses with other users, earn rewards for qualified purchases, view your financial information in one place, and pay for goods at some stores and gas stations.

How Does Google Pay Stack Up Against Samsung Pay and Apple Pay?

Google payments are allowed anywhere you see the Google Pay or wireless symbol. Some of the places you can use it include Whole Foods, Walgreens, Best Buy, McDonald’s, Macy’s, Petco, Wish, Subway, Airbnb, Fandango, Postmates, DoorDash, and many others.

Here's how to use Google Pay in stores:

Google Pay for P2P Payments

Sending and receiving money through Google Pay is convenient and super easy. Funds can come directly from your debit card or bank account, as well as from your Google Pay balance, which is a holding place for money that you don't want to keep in your bank.

When you receive money, it's deposited to whatever payment method is chosen as your default, which can be a bank, debit card, or your Google Pay balance. If you choose a bank or card, the funds go directly into that bank account. Setting the Google Pay balance as your default payment keeps incoming money in your Google account until you move it manually.

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Google Pay Limits

You can add up to five total payment methods (debit card or bank account) to your Google Pay account.

The total amount of money allowed in your account is $25,000, which includes your rewards balance. There's also a maximum single withdrawal limit of $5,000 (verified identities) or $700 (unverified identities).

Here are other limits to be aware of (over a rolling 7-day period):

• Pay friends and family: $5,000 (verified identities) or $500 (unverified identities)
• Minimum withdrawal: $1.00
• Maximum withdrawal: $20,000 (verified identities) or $700 (unverified identities)
• Total withdrawals: 30

You can't add money to your account until your identity has been verified. Here are some other limitations when adding money to your Google Pay balance:

• Minimum deposit: $10
• Bank deposits: $1,500 in a 7-day rolling period
• Debit card deposits: $500 in a 7-day rolling period

These limits are imposed when purchasing items through your Google Pay balance:

• Maximum single transaction amount: $2,000
• Daily maximum total transaction amount: $2,500
• Total transactions: 15 per day

See Google Pay Limits for more information about your limits for sending, receiving, and transferring money.

More Information on Google Pay

Some websites support the ability to check out with Google Pay. When you see this option, you can quickly pay without having to enter your card information since it's already stored in your Google account.

The service was previously available from the web at pay.google.com, where you could send and receive money without the app. Google phased out that option in early 2021.

Google Wallet used to offer a debit card that let you spend your balance in stores and online, but that's been discontinued and there isn’t a Google Pay card you can get.

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