Google Wallet has introduced a new feature for families in the United States. Parents can now create a secure balance for children and teens under 18. After setup, kids can use Google Pay to make contactless payments with their Android phones or Wear OS smartwatches.
The feature only supports tap-to-pay transactions through NFC. It does not work for online purchases. This gives parents a simple way to let their children make in-store payments without giving them a physical bank card.
Parents stay in full control through Google Family Link. They can send money directly from their own account to their child’s balance. Google also says support for scheduled automatic payments will arrive soon.
In addition, parents can set spending limits and monitor purchases as they happen. If needed, they can instantly lock or unlock their child’s balance.
Setting up the feature requires a few things. The child must be under 18 and use a supervised Google Account. The family also needs to have a Google Family Group. Only the family manager can complete the initial setup through Google Family Link or the Google Wallet website.
After the balance is created, another parent in the family group can also help manage it, if available. The child must also install the Google Wallet app on an Android phone or a Wear OS smartwatch to start making payments.
Detailed instructions, available through the source link, explain how the new feature gives parents more control while allowing kids and teens to make secure contactless payments. At the same time, it removes the need to carry a separate payment card for everyday purchases.
