Google Wallet is no longer compatible with older versions of Android and Wear OS, and soon the app may not work for some users. The tech giant has now increased the Wallet app requirement to Android 9 or later for smartphones and Wear OS 2.0 or later for smartwatches. The main reason for this change has been cited as security and the availability of new features. It appears that Google Wallet will not be able to add new security updates to older versions of the operating software.
This update was recently added to the Google Wallet support page. The page now specifies that the wallet app will now require Android 9 or higher. It also said: “To help keep Wallet features more secure, we need to be able to push security updates to your device. Security updates are not available for Android versions below 9.0.” The same requirements update has been applied to Wear OS and will now require Wear OS 2.x to run the app. A report from 9to5Google has highlighted that these requirements will be applicable from June 10.
According to the support page, the reason for this move is that the Wallet app will not be able to provide security updates to older versions of Android and Wear OS. Notably, Google Wallet was launched in 2022 and supported Android 5 and later. Last year it was switched to Android 7, which is being boosted again. The tech giant has also mentioned that the new features it plans for the wallet app will not be backward compatible, noting that the company plans to introduce new features soon.
Finally, Google launched its Wallet app in India on May 8. However, unlike other marketplaces, the app did not replace Google Pay as a unified wallet and payment app. Instead, Google Wallet now works alongside Google Pay and acts as a platform for storing boarding passes, loyalty and gift cards, event passes, car keys and public transport tickets.
The Android maker said it has partnered with more than 20 companies in India, including PVR, Inox, Air India, Indigo, Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Ixigo and Pine Labs. Google also intends to partner with more companies in the coming months.
