Google Wallet Updates Minimum OS Requirements for Enhanced Security

Highlights

• Google Wallet to require Android 9 or higher and Wear OS 2.x from June 10th
• Change aims to enhance security due to lack of updates for older Android versions
• 6% of Android users on outdated versions affected by the update
• Google Wallet launched in India, offering digital storage for non-financial items

Effective June 10, 2023, Google is increasing the minimum operating system version that must be running on an Android phone or Wear OS smartwatch for a person to use the Google Wallet app.

Again, this is on security grounds.

As per the support documentation for Google, the Google Wallet app will require at least Android 9 on phones and Wear OS 2.x on smartwatches.

As fate would have it, security updates are no longer given to Android versions below 9.

That will affect the users who are still rocking Android 7.0 Nougat or Android 8.0 Oreo on their gadgets.

While Android 14 is the current version, and Android 15 is expected soon, a sizeable 13.6% of Android users were still on versions 8.x or below as of October 2022.

According to a new support document, “Google Wallet will require Android 9 or higher on your phone and Wear OS 2.x or higher on your smartwatch” on June 10. As for why this version bump is happening, Google Wallet says “security updates aren’t available for Android versions below 9.”

Wear OS Impact

Starting from June, Google Wallet for Wear OS smartwatches will need version 2.x at least, which is originally based on Android 8.0 Oreo.

The changes follow on from news last August that Google had axed Play Services support for Android 4.4 KitKat, instead requiring at least version 5.0 Lollipop.

Google Wallet Debuts in India

In related recent news, Google has officially released its Google Wallet app in India, and it’s now available to download in that country from the Play Store.

Google Wallet vs Google Pay

While the names may sound confusing, Google Wallet and Google Pay offer different functionalities in India.

Google Wallet is a digital wallet that securely stores items like boarding passes, loyalty cards, IDs, and tickets—reducing the need to physically carry a card or tickets.

Google Pay in India focuses more on facilitating financial transactions and UPI payments to individuals and businesses.

Despite the similarities in the name, both Google Wallet and Google Pay will coexist in India, serving different functions—non-financial and financial.

FAQs

Why is Google Wallet increasing the minimum OS requirement for its app?

Starting June 10th, 2023, Google Wallet will require Android 9 or higher and Wear OS 2.x to ensure users benefit from the latest security updates, as older versions no longer receive these critical updates.

What will happen to users on older Android versions like 7.0 Nougat or 8.0 Oreo?

Users with devices running Android versions below 9 will no longer be able to use Google Wallet after the new requirements take effect, impacting those who have not upgraded their devices.

How does the OS requirement change affect Wear OS users?

For Wear OS smartwatches, the required version will be 2.x or higher. Watches on versions below will need to be updated to continue using Google Wallet, aligning with the new security standards.

What’s the difference between Google Wallet and Google Pay in India?

In India, Google Wallet is used for storing digital items like tickets and loyalty cards, while Google Pay focuses on financial transactions and UPI payments.

Also Read: Google Wallet Expands Features to Revamp Commute Experience

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