Filipinos can now pay faster and safer with their smartphones, as Google Wallet and Google Pay have officially launched in the Philippines. Android users can link their e-wallets, along with cards from major banks, enabling easy tap-to-pay transactions without needing cash or physical cards.
Google Pay Launch
During its November 18 launch, Google Pay Philippines announced that Google Wallet now supports nine Philippine issuers, including major players like China Bank, EastWest, RCBC, UnionBank, and Zed Financial, along with digital banks and e-wallets such as GCash, GoTyme, Maya, and Wise.
These issuers allow a mix of Mastercard and Visa credit, debit, and prepaid cards to be added to the app, though cards from BPI and BDO remain unsupported for now.
Getting Started
Getting started is simple: just make sure your phone’s NFC is switched on, open Google Wallet and designate it as your default payment app, then add any compatible cards or linked e-wallets you use. Once set up, you can make payments by simply tapping your phone at terminals that accept contactless transactions.
More Than Just Payments
Google Wallet can also store membership and loyalty cards, gift cards, tickets, passes, keys, and IDs. For example, flight or train tickets booked online may show an “Add to Wallet” option so you can access them directly on your phone.
Google Pay, on the other hand, uses encrypted payment codes, keeping your real card numbers safe. Additionally, Android has two-step verification, allowing users to remotely erase data if their device is lost or stolen.
Google Wallet is currently available only on Android devices. However, Apple Wallet continues to serve iOS users, and Apple Pay may launch in the Philippines in 2026
