How to Set up Your Kids With Google Wallet
If your child has their own Android device, you no longer have to worry about lending them your credit card or keeping cash for purchases when you’re not around. Kids can now use Google Wallet to pay with a tap – with some parental supervision, of course, so they don’t get into too much financial trouble without your knowledge.
Google announced the feature last fall , and in February announced it would be included in the expected Google Family Link update. Google Wallet and tap-to-pay for kids is now available to families in the US, UK, Australia, Spain and Poland.
How Google Wallet works for kids
Kids can use touch to pay for purchases at stores that accept Google Pay or contactless payments. They must have a supervised Google account and an NFC-enabled Android device (or tethered Wear OS watch) with the Google Wallet app and screen lock enabled.
It’s important to note that children cannot use Google Wallet for online or in-app purchases, or for Google services such as Play and YouTube. While there are no additional expense controls, you will receive an email every time a successful transaction occurs so you can keep an eye on your payments. Transaction history is also available in the Family Link app.
Kids can also store passes such as loyalty cards, gift cards, boarding passes, and event tickets in Google Wallet. They can be added without parental permission and you will not be notified if and when they are used.
How to set up your child to pay with one touch
To add a payment card to your child’s Google Wallet, open the Wallet app on their phone and tap Add to Wallet > New Credit or Debit Card , then tap More > Next after reading the prompt. You will need to sign in to your Google account, after which you can take a photo of the card or enter the information manually. You’ll also need to agree to Google’s and card issuer’s terms and conditions to proceed, and you may be asked to confirm your payment method with a code sent by email or text message, or by calling or logging into your bank’s app.
Parents can also remove cards from Google Wallet, either from a specific device or through Family Link. Open Family Link, select your child’s account, and select Manage > Wallet > Payment Options & Transactions . Then select the card and click Remove > Remove . You won’t be able to remove other types of passes from your child’s wallet unless you completely block access to passes in Family Link settings.
Please note that your child must be a cardholder or an authorized user of cards added to Google Wallet.