GPay Discontinued in the US: Will Indian Users Be Impacted?

Google Pay, popular called GPay, will stop working in the US as a standalone app this year, and users will no longer be able to send, request, or receive money from others through the US version of the app. The company, in an official statement on its blog, has announced that the app will cease to be available for users after June 4, 2024, as Google Wallet continues to serve as the primary platform for securely storing payment cards used for tap and pay in stores, along with other digital items such as transit cards, driver’s licenses, and state IDs, among others.

"To simplify the app experience, the US version of the standalone Google Pay app will no longer be available for use starting June 4, 2024. You can continue to access the most popular features—tapping to pay in stores and managing payment methods—directly from Google Wallet, which is used five times more than the Google Pay app in the US," said Joris van Mens, Group Product Manager, Google Pay, in the company’s official blog. 

What Existing GPay Users in the US Need to Do

The company has stated that existing users will have until 4 June 2024, to transfer their GPay funds to either their bank accounts or spend the amount as needed. Additionally, the company has provided a website called "Deals Destination" where users can find the best shopping options. "You can continue using the US version of the Google Pay app until June 4, 2024, to view and transfer your Google Pay balance to your bank account," states the blog. In addition this, users will also be able to view and transfer their funds into their accounts even post 4 June 2024 using the Google Pay website.

Will Indian GPay Users be Impacted?

The company has clearly stated that their users in India and Singapore will not be impacted by this move in any manner. “For the millions of people who use the GPay app in India and Singapore, nothing will change as we continue to build for the unique needs in those countries,” says the company.

According to a survey by AltIndex.com, GPay is used in India more than countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. There are nearly 67 million active users of the app in India with several retailers and businesses in India accepting it as the preferred mode of payment, says a survey by Watcher.guru.