Use your Google Pay balance to pay businesses (US only)

Important: This article is specific to users who previously set up a Google Pay balance to make contactless, in-app, or online payments where Google Pay is accepted. At this time, it is not possible to set up a new Google Pay balance card.

Make purchases with your Google Pay balance

You can use your Google Pay balance for contactless, in-app, or online payments anywhere Google Pay is accepted. Learn more about how to make contactless payments.

Tips:

You can't use your Google Pay balance to make contactless payments with a smartwatch.
When you use your Google Pay balance card, if you’re asked whether your card is a debit or credit card, select debit card.

Common questions about using Google Pay balance for purchases

What if I didn't set up a PIN?

If you didn't previously set up a PIN and can't complete a transaction, transfer your Google Pay balance. Learn how to transfer money out of Google Pay (US only).

Are there transaction limits on payments made with Google Pay balance?

The transaction limits on payments made with your Google Pay balance are:

Maximum amount in a single transaction: $2,000.
Daily maximum total transaction amount: $2,500.
Up to 15 transactions per day.
Additional limits on the dollar amount or frequency of transactions may be imposed in accordance with the Google Pay Terms of Service.

Why was my transaction unsuccessful?

Common reasons for an unsuccessful payment made with your Google Pay balance are:

You may have reached the transaction limits.
You may have insufficient funds in your Google Pay balance. If the amount in your Google Pay balance is smaller than the transaction amount, the transaction will be unsuccessful.
General problems with contactless payments.
If you didn’t set up a PIN, some terminals may not let you complete your transaction.
If your transaction was unsuccessful for a reason other than these, contact us for help.

Why is my Google Pay balance less than expected after my recent purchase?

When you make a purchase with your Google Pay balance, two key steps occur:

Authorizing the purchase: This is an initial hold on your transaction amount to ensure that there are sufficient funds in your balance to cover the transaction and any incidentals or tips.
Capture: This is the final charge posted by the merchant, which is the final amount deducted from your balance.

When you make purchases for contactless, in-app, or online transactions using your Google Pay balance, in some cases, you may initially observe a difference in the amount held from your available balance versus the amount you made a purchase for. This is due to merchant authorization, where an additional amount from your Google Pay balance may be held, to ensure your account has sufficient funds.

Example: You have a balance of $200 and you make a purchase at a restaurant for $50. Your available balance might be deducted for $60, while your transaction shows as "processing" for $50. Based on the final amount charged by the merchant, this authorization amount will be adjusted. In this case, if you didn't incur any additional expenses, such as tips, $10 is credited back to your available balance.

Transaction status: It's important to note that transactions that show in the "processing" state may not reflect the final amount. Authorizations appear as a "processing" transaction until the merchant completes the transaction and charges the final amount. The authorization process doesn’t transfer funds to the merchant. It’s our way of telling the merchant that the funds for a purchase exist. The final amount reflects only when the merchant charges the final amount, during which you should no longer see the transaction as processing.

Processing times: A transaction remains in the "processing" state until the merchant finalizes the transaction, which usually happens within 7 days, but in some cases may take up to 30 days.

Can I disable my Google Pay balance for contactless, in-app, and online payments?

You cannot disable the card without closing out your payments profile, which is not recommended. We recommend you transfer out the balance if you don't want to use the SV card.

Can I use my Google Pay balance everywhere I can use a debit card?

Your Google Pay balance is a virtual form of payment and not a physical card. It doesn’t have a full 16-digit card number and can only be used for specific purchases.

You can use your Google Pay balance for:

Contactless payments wherever Google Pay and VISA® are accepted
Purchases within apps or online with businesses where you can “Buy with Google Pay”

You can’t use your Google Pay balance for:

Businesses that don't accept Google Pay and VISA®
Online or over the phone purchases when you’re required to enter a full card number
Subscription or other automatic recurring payments
For international purchases

How can I tell if a transaction was made with my Google Pay balance?

Users can view SV card transactions on the Google Wallet website , it would just appear under SV balance transactions.

1. Open the Google Wallet website.

2. Click Payment Methods Google Pay balance Recent Transactions.

What if I’m asked for my card number?

Your Google Pay balance card doesn’t have a full 16-digit card number. If you’re asked for the card number for the transaction you make with your Google Pay balance, you can find the last 4 digits in the Wallet app.

Open the Wallet app .
- If you're not already signed in to your account, sign in.
At the top, tap the card icon .
To find your Google Pay balance card, swipe left or right and tap it.

How do I dispute a payment?

If you think there's an error in your Google Pay balance transaction, including fraud, you can dispute the transaction. Learn more about our Customer Service and Error Resolution Policy.

Is there a fee to use my Google Pay balance to pay businesses?

There’s no fee to make contactless, in-app, or online purchases with your Google Pay balance. However, sometimes you may find that your available balance doesn’t match the transaction amounts while the transaction is in the "processing" state. Learn more about your balance after a purchase.

Can I use my Google Pay balance outside of the US?

You can only use your Google Pay balance for purchases in the US and US territories, at US merchants for transactions in USD. You can’t use it for international purchases.