4 settings that make Google Wallet the fastest payment app
The advantage of mobile payments is that they are more practical than a physical card. Even the slightest friction ends up feeling more tedious than simply removing your wallet. While Google Wallet is truly great, there are a few often hidden tweaks that can make the checkout process even better.
Don’t let Google Wallet compete for attention
First of all, if you have other apps that have their own Tap-to-Pay feature, such as PayPal, Samsung Wallet, or a specific banking app, your phone will always ask you which one you want to use. Make sure Google Wallet is set as default to save time.
Since the exact location of these settings can vary greatly between Android devices, the quickest route is often to use the search bar and search for “NFC” or “Contactless Payments.” Once you find this section, tap “Contactless Payments” or “Default Payment”. Just select “Google Wallet” and you should be good to go. The next time you try to pay by contact, there won’t be a fight on the front line.
Bypass the lock screen for quick transactions
By default, Google Wallet requires you to unlock your phone to make purchases, which is a good security feature. However, this slows down the process a bit. If you don’t mind giving up the extra security, you can disable the need to unlock your phone to use contactless payment.
Once again, you will find this option in the “NFC” section of your phone’s settings. Look for a toggle called “Require device unlock for NFC” or similar wording. In some regions around the world, you may also have the option to enable it only for “low value payments”, reserving full unlocking only for large purchases.
Stop searching for your favorite card
While this tip won’t technically speed up app load time, it can speed up your time on Terminal. If you use a specific card 90% of the time, you shouldn’t have to swipe your other cards and passes every time you buy a coffee.
This time we will discuss the Google Wallet app itself. Navigate to the card you use most often and select it to view its details. Find the three-dot menu in the top corner to open the menu, then select “Default to contactless payment.” Now, when you place your phone on a payment terminal, that card will be used without any interaction on your part.
Add a quick launch shortcut
When using your aforementioned favorite card, you don’t even need to open Google Wallet. However, for all your other cards and passes, finding the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer is a hassle. There are several ways to make this faster.
On Pixel and many other Android devices, you have the option to add a Wallet shortcut directly to the lock screen. Find Lock Screen Settings and dedicate one of the shortcuts to Google Wallet. The next time you wake up the screen, there will be a quick access shortcut to open the app and see all your payment options.
The second thing you can do is add Google Wallet as a quick settings toggle. This will place the app next to toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, etc. The process of editing Quick Settings tiles varies by device, but it generally requires you to fully expand the panel and tap an “Edit” button. Like the previous tip, this also works from the lock screen of most phones.
By making sure Google Wallet is first in line and setting your preferred card as default, you’ve already saved precious seconds. Whether it’s a quick lock screen shortcut or a dedicated quick settings toggle, you should be able to instantly access Google Wallet no matter what you’re trying to pay for. Mobile payments are supposed to be better than a physical card, so don’t let that slow you down.
