Google has announced a host of new features for its rebranded and much-improved Wallet app that debuted in May 2022. It’s adding support for state IDs and driver’s licenses, as well as the ability to create digital versions of some physical passes.
Google Wallet has let you store different types of cards, keys, digital IDs, passes, and more since the beginning. Over the past year, the company has added several new abilities to the app. The latest update now gives you more reasons to stop carrying a physical wallet. Once the update rolls out, you can create digital versions of any physical pass that has a barcode or QR code, like a gym membership card or transit QR tickets. Simply click a picture of the physical card and you have a digital version that goes with you wherever you take your phone. Not only it’s convenient, but you also have a backup of the pass in case it gets misplaced.
In August last year, Google was spotted working on bringing TSA-compliant digital IDs to the Wallet app. The company is now rolling out this feature as well. It’s initially available for Maryland-issued IDs, such as a driver’s license. You can show the digital ID in Google Wallet at TSA PreCheck lines at select airports. Google says the feature will be available to residents of Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia in the coming months. The company is also working on giving users more ways to use their digital IDs, including booking a car with Turo and verifying their online accounts. Note that your phone must be running Android 8.0 or later and that has a screen lock enabled to use this feature.
Google Wallet is also adding health insurance cards and Messages integration
This Google Wallet update also brings support for health insurance cards. The company is working with Humana to develop a digital version of the latter’s insurance cards for its members in the US. Meanwhile, in the UK, the support comes through the UK government’s HMRC app. Users will be able to save their National Insurance Number from the app to their Wallet.
Additionally, Google is integrating Wallet with its Messages app. You will soon be able to save your train tickets, flight boarding passes, or restaurant reservation details received in Messages to Wallet. The company will initially roll out support for Vietnam Airlines, Spanish train operator Renfe, and restaurant reservation system TagMe. Last but not least, Google Wallet is readying corporate badges for employees of supported companies and expanding support for local transit passes to more countries, including Deutschlandticket in Germany.