Who Needs a Wallet? Google Brings ID and More to an App
Google Wallet for Android just became a whole lot more versatile with the introduction of a new feature called "Everything else."
This latest update, now available to users in the U.S., allows you to create digital versions of various passes, ranging from ID cards and insurance documents to library memberships and even concert tickets.
Google Wallet has long been a useful tool for making secure digital payments, but with this new feature, it's evolving into a more complete digital storage solution. The "Everything else" feature significantly increases the app's functionality by allowing users to digitize various types of physical cards and documents. No longer is the app limited to just payment methods, now, it can also securely store your ID, library card, or even a student ID.
Adding a pass is straightforward. Users simply take a picture of the physical pass, and Google Wallet automatically extracts the relevant information. Once the information is captured, users can edit common fields, such as name or membership number, and even add additional details specific to their needs. The app also provides the option to categorize the pass under several types, including:
- Business cards
- Car insurance
- Driver's license
- Events & tickets
- Health insurance
- ID cards
- Library cards
- Loyalty cards
- Passports
- Residence permits
- Student IDs
- Tax ID cards
- Vehicle registrations
- Voter ID cards
There's even an "Other" category for those documents that don't quite fit into the predefined categories, offering additional flexibility.
Given the sensitive nature of some of these documents, Google has added extra privacy measures. Documents classified as sensitive, such as health or government IDs, are marked as private and are not synced across multiple devices, ensuring your personal information stays secure. Accessing these passes requires authentication, adding an extra layer of security.
Currently, the "Everything else" feature is fully rolled out only in the U.S., and there's no official word on when it will be available in other countries. However, given Google's track record of expanding its services globally, it's likely just a matter of time before users in other regions can also benefit from this feature.