Among the many essential applications if we own a Wear OS watch is Google Wallet, which allows us to make purchases with our wrist and without having to take out our cell phone or credit card. And soon, the youngest members of the family will be able to enjoy these benefits too.
Google confirmed today 9to5Google that from 2025 will allow the use of Google Wallet for minors, although as expected there will be certain limitations and controls on their spending to avoid serious problems. Despite this, and perhaps surprisingly, Google promises that the experience will be very similar to what Google Wallet users already have on Wear OS watches.
Google Wallet for Kids will allow make payments simply by touching the dataphonejust like you can do with your cell phone or an adult smart watch. In the same way, Wallet can also be protected with the same methods, such as a PIN, password, fingerprint on the mobile phone or facial recognition, to unlock access to payments.
All cards that we have already stored in Google Wallet can be transferred to the minor’s account and used on the smart watch; However, they must first be approved one by one.
Google is also implementing some changes to prevent abuse and accidental payments. To get started, Google Wallet for kids You will not be able to make online payments with cards saved in the application; It will only authorize payments in physical stores, and thus prevents the child from being able to use the watch to pay in applications or games, for example.
What will be allowed is that Google Wallet stores gift cards and tickets for events; For example, so that the minor can participate alone in an event or so that he can make a purchase with the right amount of money.
To use Google Wallet for Kids, you’ll need to add your account to Family Link, the app that lets you manage family accounts. It will also be from here that we will be able to manage access to the cards that we have in our account, in addition to withdrawing authorization to use a card remotely. At any time it will be possible check transaction history and eliminate cards and block passes and entries.
This is actually not the first time these features will be available. Google has already launched one with the Fitbit Ace LTE, the brand’s first Wear OS watch designed for children. But with the update expected in 2025, all Wear OS watch users will be able to access these same features, such as one-touch payment.
