Use virtual card numbers to pay online or in apps

When you save a credit or debit card to your Google Account, you may be able to turn on a virtual card number. Virtual card numbers can be shared with merchants for online or in-app transactions to keep your actual card number info more secure.

This feature is currently available for eligible cards in the US only.

About virtual cards

Virtual cards are a safer way to pay online or in-app. When you use a virtual card to make a purchase, the app replaces your physical card number with a unique virtual card number. When you check out, the virtual number hides your personal payment details and helps to protect you against fraud.

You can use your virtual card for online or in-app purchases.
When you pay online, you can check out faster if you allow Google to automatically fill out your virtual card payment info and CVC.
- If you use autofill, your bank may send a temporary code to your phone to verify your identity.

Tip: The virtual card number, expiration date, and CVC may be different from your physical card. For added security, some card issuers change your virtual card number or CVC for different merchants or transactions.

How to turn on & use a virtual card

Important: To turn on a virtual card, you must have autofill turned on.

Turn on a virtual card when you check out

When you make a purchase online with Chrome, you may be able to turn on a virtual card. If you check out with an eligible card:

Not yet saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card before you complete your purchase.
Already saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card after you complete your purchase.

If you turn on a virtual card, the next time you make a purchase, you can use the virtual card number to check out.

Turn on a virtual card with pay.google.com

Go to pay.google.com.
At the top, click Payment methods.
Find the card that you want.
Select Turn on virtual card.
- Only cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
Select Turn on Got it.
- Under your card, you’ll find “Manage virtual card.”
- If you can’t turn on the virtual card, you can still use Autofill to pay with the regular card number.

If you can’t turn on a virtual card

If you can’t turn on a virtual card, retry the process with the same steps as above. If that doesn’t work, contact your bank for more support.

Make a purchase with your virtual card

You can use your virtual card when you shop online. When you check out on a website:

Choose the virtual card from your payment method options.
Let Chrome fill in the payment info automatically. You may be asked to verify your identity with a code, fingerprint, or other method.
Check out as usual.

Tip: If Chrome doesn’t automatically fill out the form after you select your virtual card, enter your virtual card info manually.

At the bottom of the screen, click View card.
Copy and paste or enter the card number, expiration date, and CVC.
Finish checking out.

Common questions about virtual cards

How do I turn off a virtual card?

With a mobile browser or computer

Go to pay.google.com.
Select payment methods.
- For Computer users: At the top, click Payment methods.
- For Android users: At the top left, tap Menu Payment methods.
Find the card that you want to remove.
Select Manage virtual card.
At the bottom, next to “Turn off virtual card in autofill,” select Turn off.
On the confirmation pop-up, select Turn off Got it.
- Any virtual cards you’ve used previously will no longer be active.
- Even after a virtual card is turned off, it may still be active outside of Google Pay.
To suspend or cancel a virtual card outside of Google Pay, contact the card issuer.

Tip: If you want to re-add a virtual card that you turned off, follow the steps above. This process turns on a new virtual card.

Do I need the Google Pay app to use virtual cards?

No, you don't.

How can I find & manage my virtual card number?

Go to pay.google.com.
Select payment methods.
- For Computer users: At the top, click Payment methods.
- For Android users: At the top left, tap Menu Payment methods.
Find the card that you want.
Select Manage virtual card View and manage virtual cards.
- You’re taken to the card issuer website, where you can manage your virtual card.

Tip: If you make a transaction and turn off your virtual card, you can still find the card number on your card issuer website.

Is there a fee or charge to use a virtual card?

Google doesn’t charge a monetary fee to use a virtual card. However, you’re still subject to any fees or charges that your bank would impose on the transaction if you had used your regular card.

Do virtual cards have a single card number?

Some card issuers use one virtual card number for your card with a new CVC for each merchant. Other issuers create separate virtual card numbers for each merchant that you shop with. Either way, your physical card number is hidden from merchants.

Do I have to reenter my virtual card info each time?

No. Once your card info is saved in your Google Account, Chrome or Android automatically enters it into the proper fields when you check out. For each transaction, you can choose either a virtual card number or your physical card number. You may have to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or another method.

Does a virtual card mean that I have multiple cards with separate credit lines?

No, the virtual card number replaces your physical card number, but is used the same way. Your credit line, balance, fees, and transaction info stay the same. You use your virtual card number during the checkout process. Instead of your actual card info, the merchant gets your virtual card number, expiration date, and CVC.

Why am I asked to verify my identity?

Each time you use a virtual card to make a purchase, your bank and card network check if your transaction is secure. This process may ask you to verify your identity. To continue, you may need to unlock your phone, provide a code, or enter a card security code (CSC).

If I lose my card, can someone create virtual cards with it?

They might be able to. Report your missing card to your bank or card issuer. Any virtual cards created or used after your card went missing are deactivated.

Can I set up a virtual card to be used with only one merchant?

Some virtual cards support dedicated virtual cards for a merchant. For more info, go to your card issuer website.

How do I fix a chargeback issue or unauthorized transaction?

Contact your bank or card issuer.

Returns and in store pick ups

To make a return, or pick up an item in store that you bought with a virtual card, you may have to find the last 4 digits of your virtual card number. The last 4 digits of your virtual card are different from your physical card. To find the virtual card number, refer to the receipt from the merchant or go to your card issuer website. If neither of these have the last 4 digits you can contact your bank for support.

Return something you bought online with Google Pay

If you used Google Pay to buy something from a non-Google website or app, contact the merchant's customer support team. Refunds are deposited to your linked bank account, not your Google Pay balance.

Return a Google product

To return a purchase from Google, contact the support team for the product.

Fix issues with order delivery or quality

If the product or service you ordered was missing or unsatisfactory, to cancel the order or fix the issue, contact the merchant’s customer support.

Fix issues with incomplete payments to merchants

For more info on incomplete payments, contact your bank.

Related resources

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