How to add and remove credit cards from Google Pay - Android Police

Mobile payments are easier than ever, with more vendors supporting services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay than ever before. The explosive adoption rate is partially because of the COVID-19 pandemic as retailers scrambled to find a way for a more hands-off experience at their stores. If you somehow haven't jumped on the mobile payment bandwagon yet, this is arguably the best time to start, as most of the kinks have been ironed out.

It's simple enough to get going on Google Pay. You just have to add your credit card details to your account, and then you can use your phone in place of your card next time you check out. Here's how to add and remove credit cards from Google Pay.

Set up Google Pay

Before you can use Google Pay, you will have to set up your account by connecting it with your Google account and phone number. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to the Google Pay app on your phone.
   1. Not every device comes with the app pre-installed. If you don't have it, you can always download it from the Google Play Store.
2. The next screen will ask which account you want to connect to. Pick the account you want to use.
3. Next, add your phone number to connect it to the service.
   1. Google verifies that the number you provide is the same one associated with your card provider. When adding a new credit card or bank account, Google will prompt the bank to send you a verification code to protect the account. As such, you need to have the same number on your Google Pay and bank accounts. Linking your phone number also allows people to send you money directly.

Your Google Pay account is now set up, and you're able to start adding cards.

How to add a credit card to Google Pay

You will obviously need to attach your credit card details to use Google Pay. The process is simple, and if you have ever added a card to an online account you will be able to do this easily enough.

1. From the main screen on the app, tap the card button at the top.
   1. The actual text of the button varies depending on whether you have cards already synced with the account. It may say something along the lines of "Set up contactless."
2. Swipe over until you see a blue card outline that reads "Add a payment method" and tap the "Add a card" button at the bottom.
   1. If you have credit cards linked with other Google services (like the Play Store), they may show up here. If you select one of these cards, Google will still ask you to confirm the security code and billing address.
3. Once the card is added, you will receive a code via text or email to confirm the addition.

Once you type in the code, your card should automatically appear. You can now use it to make contactless payments right from the lock screen.

How to remove a credit card from Google Pay

If you are done using Google Pay permanently, or you simply need to replace your credit card, you'll want to remove any old or unnecessary cards from the account.

Luckily, removing a card from Google Pay is even simpler than adding one. To remove a card, just follow these steps.

1. From the Google Pay main screen, tap the card button at the top.
2. Tap on the card you wish to remove. More details about it should pop up.
3. Click the three dots in the top right corner and click "Remove payment method".
4. A pop-up will appear confirming you want to do this. Click "Yes, Remove".

And just like that, your card is removed from the Google Pay account.

Google Pay is a pretty robust payment service, allowing you to process transactions, send and receive money from friends, and even view bank balances. It also has multiple layers of security, so your financial details are well-protected. The service is growing in popularity, but Apple's massively popular pay service still dominates the market (though Apple Pay is far from perfect). Despite the stiff competition, Google Pay is continually improving as the company refines the service and brings in professional help to steer it into the future.

For more help with Android, check out our tips and tricks for taming your Google Photos collection, as well as our roundup for the best Android devices.

Amazon introduces the Eero Pro 6E, its first Wi-Fi 6E mesh router

Related Topics

About The Author

Caleb Clark (3 Articles Published)

Caleb is a full-time writer who spends most of his time covering mobile devices and consumer tech. He also publishes on Medium about video games, books, and some times movies. He also has a YouTube channel for tech reviews and video essays. He has a wife and three kids, and spends most of his free time with them or playing tabletop games.

More From Caleb Clark

How to add and remove credit cards from Google Pay - Android Police