Is There a Standalone Device That Only Handles Google Wallet?
Asked by
MellowPine42
I'm planning to stop using a smartphone within the next six months, but I'd still like to keep using Google Wallet for contactless payments. Is there a simple device—such as a watch, ring, or other gadget—that can run Google Wallet without all the other smartphone features?
Answers
A Wear OS smartwatch is probably your best option. Google Wallet supports NFC payments on compatible watches, and you can pay with the watch even when your phone isn’t nearby.
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Google Wallet is tied to your Google account rather than being exclusive to a particular phone. Any compatible device that can access the account could potentially work, including a smartwatch or another internet-connected device. The main limitation is connectivity: devices without mobile service generally need Wi-Fi access to get online and set things up or use account-based features.
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MellowPine42: I’ve been able to make payments with a Wi-Fi-only Apple Watch while my phone was somewhere else, so a mobile data connection may not always be required once the watch is configured.