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Users have noticed in recent weeks that Google requires devices to be unlocked for all tap-to-pay transactions, regardless of the amount. At the same time, Google Wallet appears to be testing his second change related to more frequent authentication.
Google officially says, “Your credit or debit card won’t be charged for retail payments unless you recently used a verification method like your fingerprint or PIN.”
The support documentation doesn’t specify the exact time period of “recently”, but people, myself included, have noticed that it’s getting shorter.
For example, when you’re in line at the supermarket, you unlock your phone and use it until you get to the checkout. The phone is usually still active (screen on) when it’s time to pay. This week, my Pixel 8 asked me to authenticate again when I tapped my device. I’ve never had to authenticate in this particular tap-to-pay situation before.
I’ve since noticed that Google Wallet asks me to re-authenticate 3 minutes after I first unlocked it with my fingerprint.
In fact, while testing with the timer, I noticed a new “For your security, you must verify your identity before you pay” prompt at the top of the Google Wallet app. This only happens on his Pixel 8 where I encountered the change.
This message did not appear on the other two Pixel phones I used side by side during my at-home testing. Unlock your phone with your fingerprint, activate the screen, and open and close Google Wallet every 1, 2, and 3 minutes until you see the “verify your identity” prompt — which I did.
This suggests that Google is either still testing this behavior or hasn’t rolled it out widely yet.
For comparison, Apple Pay on the iPhone requires you to authorize every transaction you tap to pay. Android and Google Wallet are moving closer in that direction, but still give more room.
Google Wallet details:
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