Google Wallet for kids will be available in 2025 with Family Link

Abner Li | Oct 30 2024 - 10:03 am PT

After debuting on the Fitbit Ace LTE, Google Wallet with tap-to-pay will be available next year for kids using Family Link-managed Android devices.

Google tells us today that supervised kids in Family Link will be able to download the Google Wallet app on their Android phones. This will allow them to make tap-to-pay transactions in stores. They won’t, however, be able to use cards saved in Google Wallet for online payments.

Like the full experience, a device PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition is first needed to authenticate NFC payments.

Google Wallet for kids will also support gift cards and event tickets. Private passes like IDs and health cards will not be supported at launch.

Parents, which have wanted this feature, will need to approve every credit or debit card added to their child’s phone. Any existing payment card can be added to a kid’s Wallet. Meanwhile, their Family Link app will let them view recent transaction history and remotely remove a card, as well as block passes.

Google already built a lot of this infrastructure out for its Wear OS-powered kids smartwatch earlier this year, noting the “the positive response of tap-to-pay on Fitbit Ace LTE.” The company emphasizes how this “new experience is built with safety in mind.”

“Following the positive response of tap-to-pay on Fitbit Ace LTE devices, we’re expanding tap-to-pay for kids to Google Wallet. The new experience is built with safety in mind, and will allow parents to supervise their kids’ usage – including approving new cards, easily removing cards and viewing transaction history.”

—Google

This is rolling out starting next year for some Google Wallet users in several countries, including the US, before a wider expansion over time.