Add a payment method

You can add cards, bank accounts, and other payment methods to Google Pay.

Tip: You can add cards through some bank apps and websites. Check with your bank for more details.

Add a debit or credit card

  1. Open the Google Pay app Google Pay.
    • If you have multiple accounts in Google Pay, you can select the account to change:
      1. In the Google Pay app, at the top right, tap your profile picture or initial.
      2. Tap the account you want to use to add a debit or credit card.
  2. Swipe up from the bottom.
  3. Tap Add a card and then Debit or credit card.
  4. Use the camera to capture your card info or enter it manually.
  5. If you're asked to verify your payment method, choose an option from the list. Learn how to verify your payment method.
  6. Find and enter the verification code.

After you add a card, you might find a small charge on your account from Google Pay. This charge checks that your card and account are valid. The charge disappears and doesn't affect your balance.

All rewards stay the same

You'll keep getting the same security, benefits, and rewards with all cards on Google Pay.

Add a bank account (U.S. only)

Bank accounts can only be used for sending and receiving money. For quicker transactions, we recommend using a debit card.

US instructions

To add a bank account, you'll need to start sending money first.

  1. Open the Google Pay app Google Pay.
  2. At the bottom, tap Send.
  3. Choose the person you want to send money to.
  4. Enter the amount you want to send.
  5. TapSend. This will take you to a confirmation screen and won't send the money just yet.
  6. Next to the payment method you want to use, tapChange and thenAdd bank account.
  7. Enter your bank account info.
  8. TapSave.
  9. If your bank offers instant verification, you'll be asked to sign in to your bank account. If your bank doesn't offer it or you choose test deposit:
    • Google will make a small deposit in your bank account, which you'll see after 2–3 days.
    • To verify your bank info, confirm the deposit amount in Google Pay.
  10. Continue the payment or exit the app.

Add a PayPal or Visa Checkout account

You can add a PayPal account to Google Pay. You can use it in select countries to pay for some Google products and in participating stores, apps, and websites.

  1. Open the Google Pay app Google Pay.
  2. At the bottom, tap Payment.
  3. At the bottom, tap + Payment methodand then PayPal.
  4. Sign in to PayPal and follow the instructions.

You can also add a Visa Checkout (U.S. only) account to Google Pay. You can only use this account to pay in stores.

Your PayPal balance refills automatically (US only)

When your PayPal balance runs out, it refills with money from a debit card or bank account linked to your PayPal account. The default amount is $20, but you can choose another amount.

If your purchase is more than your balance, a multiple of your refill amount will be added to your account.

Find your PayPal PIN (US and DE only)

Some stores and websites might ask for your PayPal in-store PIN. Your default PIN is the last 4 digits of your virtual card number. Change your PayPal PIN.

How your info is shared with PayPal

When you set up PayPal as a payment method, Google will share your name, email, phone number, IP address, device info (including model, identifier, OS and network operator), profile image, location snapshot at time of setup, and Google Account signals (including account age and session length) with PayPal. Google will also receive your name, billing address, phone number, and PayPal account type and account activity from PayPal.

Every time you make a Google Pay payment with PayPal, Google will share your IP address and device info (including model, identifier, OS and network operator) with PayPal. Google will also receive your name and country from PayPal.

Set up a payment method for contactless payments

How you can pay using certain features

Important:The send or receive money feature is only available in the U.S. For the U.S. territories, this feature is supported only if the debit card was issued under a U.S.-licensed bank.

Accepted payment methods

Credit & debit cards

  • American Express
  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • Discover (U.S. only)
  • JCB (Japan and U.S. only)
  • Visa Electron (outside U.S. only)
  • Elo credit cards (Brazil only; Elo debit cards aren't accepted)

The types of cards accepted by Google services vary by location and product.

View supported payment methods by country for contactless purchases.

Note: You might notice temporary charges on your card when using a credit or debit card.

Bank account

In some countries, you can add a bank account to Google Pay.

E-money, QUICPay, & iD

Direct carrier billing

Some mobile devices and service plans can use direct carrier billing to make purchases on Google Play and YouTube.

PayPal

In some countries, you can use PayPal to pay for some Google products and in participating stores, apps, and websites.

Gift cards & promo codes

You can save your gift cards in Google Pay and use them in stores, in apps, and on the web. You can also use Google Pay promo codes.

For Google Play

Google Play gift cards and promo codes can be used to make purchases on Google Play in certain countries. They can't be used with other Google products like Google Voice or Project Fi. If you redeem a gift card or promo code, it will show in Google Pay as your Google Play balance.

Payment types that won't work

You can't add these payment methods to Google Pay:

  • Wire transfers
  • Bank transfers
  • Western Union
  • Moneygram
  • Virtual credit cards (VCC)
  • Health savings account (HSA)
  • Any escrow type of payment
  • Prepaid cards if you use automatic payments

Fix a problem

"Request failed. Something went wrong" or "Trouble verifying your payment method"

If you see this error message, try to add a different payment method. See above for accepted payment methods. If you're still having issues, contact us.

"Your transaction cannot be completed"

If you see this error message, try again later or try a different payment method.

"An unexpected error has occurred. To continue, use a different payment method or contact us"

If you get this error message, there was an issue with the payment method you tried to use. Try a different payment method from the list of accepted payment methods. If you still experience issues, contact us.

Already seeing payment methods

New to Google Pay and already seeing payment methods? If you paid for something through Google in the past, Google Pay saved your card.

Related articles

  • Edit or remove a payment method
  • Verify your payment method
  • Set or change a default payment method

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