These are the 5 Google Wallet settings I change on every Pixel phone

Google Wallet is very convenient, but if you only use it with the default settings, you’re not getting the most out of the app. On my Pixel phone, I change a few usability and privacy settings, and create shortcuts to make it faster to use, and they really make a difference.

Get more detailed receipts

Don’t remember a purchase? Google Wallet will tell you where you did it

Once you start using Google Wallet all the time, you end up making payments every day, in different locations, using different cards. It can be difficult to keep track of everything. One thing you can do to make things easier is to enable more detailed receipts. It uses your location to record where you were when you made the payment, which is useful even if you don’t recognize the name of the company involved.

You need to enable location permission to use it. The easiest way to do this is to tap a payment card and then select one of your recent purchases, where you should be prompted to set it up. You must use a specific location for this to work. But for privacy reasons, you can keep the permission set to Allow only when using the app so that you are not followed all the time.

Enable lock screen shortcut

Open your phone directly in the Wallet app

You can reduce the number of steps it takes to access your wallet during checkout by setting up a shortcut on the lock screen. This places a Google Wallet icon in one of the bottom corners of your lock screen, taking you directly to the app. It does not bypass your security features. You will still be prompted to unlock your phone with a fingerprint (or another method) first.

To add it, long-press on your Pixel’s home screen and select Wallpaper and style. Swipe to the lock screen options and find Shortcuts. Now add Wallet as left or right button.

You also have the option to configure Wallet to open with a double press of the power button. You can find this in Settings > System > Gestures. Personally, I prefer to keep this option set to launch the camera instead.

Add the Quick Settings shortcut

Access Wallet even when using another app

In addition to adding Wallet to my lock screen, I add a shortcut in the Quick Settings panel that opens from the top of the screen. This allows me to quickly access the app even if I’m already using the phone for something else. Whether I’m reading an ebook or text message, or watching YouTube, I can simply open Quick Settings, tap the Wallet icon, and pay.

To add it, swipe twice from the top of the screen to display the full Quick Settings pane. Now press the To modify icon (the pencil). Here you can add, remove, reposition and resize thumbnails. Find the one for Wallet, then hold your finger on it and drag it up into position. You can resize it to make it one or two tiles wide.

Change verification settings

You don’t always need to use your fingerprint to pay

For greater convenience when using public transport, you can disable verification when paying. As long as the transportation company you’re traveling with supports it, you can simply tap your phone against the payment machine and the transaction will go through without you needing to unlock your phone. It works with travel cards first and will use your credit or debit card if you don’t have one.

To enable this, open Wallet and tap your avatar in the top corner. Now go to Settings > Verification settings > Public transport payments. Disable Verification required. The next time you travel, you won’t need to unlock your phone to pay, but it won’t affect other payments.

Lock privacy settings

Take control of how your Google Wallet data is used

The last settings I always change in Google Wallet are those related to privacy. As convenient as the app is, it can really suck up a lot of data over time. And while Google says it doesn’t sell or make your transaction data available to third parties, it will add to your overall profile: what you buy, how much you spend, where you spend it, etc. This information will, over time, affect the types of ads you see.

Privacy settings aren’t found in the Google Wallet app itself, but you can access them through it. Tap your account avatar and select Your data in Wallet > Manage Wallet and payment services data. This will take you to your Google page in your web browser, so you may need to log in if you haven’t already.

First, tap Manage payment datathen deactivate the personalization options and those allowing you to share your information. These allow your data to be used elsewhere. Now go back and select Manage pass data and also deactivate the personalization and information sharing options here.

There are other settings you can change to make your Google account more private,

SoC

Google Tensor G4

Display

6.3-inch Actua screen

The Google Pixel 10a is a barely updated version of the Google Pixel 9a, with a slightly brighter screen and an upgrade from Gorilla Glass 3 to Gorilla Glass 7i. Google shaved the remaining few millimeters off the camera bump, making it completely flat. Unlike previous versions of the Pixel a series, this model year does not share the same Tensor processor as the main Pixel 10.

Change your wallet settings on your Pixel

Google Wallet doesn’t offer a lot of customization options, but the ones it does have are very useful. I always make these changes when setting up the app on my Pixel, and they make it more easily accessible, more convenient, and more private.