Google Wallet has upped its functionality when it comes to making your commute easier.
While being able to add transit cards to Google Wallet has long been a staple feature, it’s now possible to add those physical transit cards you already have and their balances to Google Wallet using NFC.
The new feature is part of the latest update to Google Play Services. Previously, transit customers who wanted to transfer their physical card details had to type them in. Using NFC cuts down on a cumbersome process.
How to use
To add an existing physical pass, open Google Wallet, select Add to Wallet, then Transit Pass. If the transit service you use offers it, you should see the option to add an existing physical card. You can then follow the on-screen instructions and hold the card against the back of your phone to transfer the pass.
The process will transfer over the balance that was on the physical card, any time-based active transit passes tied to the card like a monthly commuter pass, and the digital chip metadata which will let you tap your phone or watch to use the pass.
Things to know before you transfer your card
There are some caveats to turning a physical card into a digital one.
Once you transfer your physical card’s details over to Google Wallet, the physical card will no longer work. So if you want to share your card with a partner or child, it’s not possible to do so by keeping a digital version on your device and giving them the physical card.
Also, a transit pass can only be stored on one device at a time. That means that you can’t just switch between using your phone or watch.
If you want to transfer the pass between devices, open the Google Wallet app on the device where it is in use and tap View More and then View More Passes. Find and select the transit pass, tap the Menu dots, then select Move Card to Another Device. On the device that you want to add the pass to, open Google Wallet, select the transit pass, and then tap Activate.
