- Google Pay website will no longer support payments from January 2021
- The giant is also ditching the old Google Pay app for Android and iOS
- Google Pay has brought a 1.5 percent transfer fee for instant transfers
Recently, Google Pay received a major update in the US that brought a list of new features to deliver an enhanced payments experience.
However, with the arrival of the updated Google Pay, the search giant has decided to do away with the older Google Pay app for Android and iOS devices and discontinue support for peer-to-peer payments through its dedicated website.
The new changes are specific to the US market. Additionally, the company has introduced a transfer fee for Google Pay users for transactions with a debit card in the US.
The Web version of Google Pay in the US has started notifying users that it would no longer allow transferring of money starting January.
“Starting early in 2021, you won’t be able to use pay.google.com to send and receive money from other people. To send and receive money, use the new Google Pay app,” reads a banner placed on top of the Google Pay website.
The site, however, seems to continue to allow users to manage their payment methods and subscriptions.
End of the old Google Pay App
In addition to the discontinuation of the payment plan for its website, Google Pay is ditching the old app. The old Google Pay app existed for Android and iOS devices prior to the latest update.
Google has also added a transfer fee of 1.5 percent or a minimum of 31 cents. These charges will be applicable when transferring money out using a debit card. A support page has been provided to explain the update.
“It can take 1–3 business days when you transfer money to your bank account. Debit card transfers are usually instant. There is a fee of 1.5 percent or $0.31 (whichever is higher) when you transfer out money with a debit card,” the company said on the support page.
Importantly, there is no fee involved when using bank transfer. Though, the 1.5 percent charge will be applied to instant transfers. This wasn’t the case earlier, when Google Pay charged zero fees for transferring money using a bank account or debit card.
Google earlier revealed that it was bringing a waitlist for bank accounts being launched on Google Pay next year. This list was inclusive of Citigroup and 10 other institutions.
The update also enabled contactless payments in stores. This update also brought the ability to view analytics and explore cashback promotional offers from merchants including Burger King and Target.