What you need to know
- The first beta version of Android 15 includes a new default wallet app option in the existing list of default apps.
- Previously, alternatives to Google Wallet were allowed in the Google Play Store, and the Default payment app option was hidden in the Settings app.
- Now the new Default wallet app setting clearly covers more than just contactless payments, including digital car keys and store loyalty cards.
Google made the first beta version of Android 15 available to testers on April 11, after two versions of the Android 15 Developer Preview. There’s more to discover, but one new change affects the way Android handles default payment and wallet apps.
After users update to Android 15, they will see a new option in the Default applications list in settings. Now you can choose a Default wallet appwhich will be used for digital payments, car keys, store loyalty cards and more.
9to5Google spotted a default wallet app selection in Android 15’s Settings app after updating to the first beta. “Wallet apps can store your credit and loyalty cards, car keys, and other things that help with various forms of transactions,” the setup description explains. Most people will see two options, Google Wallet or No, but there will probably be more soon. The Amex it will appear if you have it installed, and Amex seems to be the only known third-party app that supports setting it as the default wallet app in Android 15.
When you select the default wallet app, it will become the app that manages all NFC-related tasks. This includes payments and things like unlocking with digital keys or using store loyalty cards. The new setting effectively replaces it Default payment application option in previous versions of Android, which for some reason was not in the Default applications list. Instead, choosing a default outgoing payment application is found on five menu pages: settings > Connected devices > Connection settings > NFC > Contactless payment > Default payment application.
Interestingly, it may be difficult to use this new feature due to a possible bug affecting the first beta version of Android 15. As reported in the Google News Telegram, the NFC settings page appears to be down and no longer shows settings to enable or turning off that feature. This was confirmed by Android Central, which also noticed a blank NFC page in settings on two different devices.
Since this page isn’t working, Android doesn’t seem to know if NFC is enabled or disabled. That means NFC-enabled features from Google Wallet to Digital Keys likely won’t work in the first beta of Android 15. One Android Central staff member tried to make a purchase with his Pixel after the update, and the terminal wouldn’t recognize the phone. Let’s hope no one has installed this pre-release version of Android 15 on their main phone because some may find it hard to live without contactless payments.
The issue has been reported separately on the issue tracker.
However, the Android 15 beta has added some great features and tools, such as improved app archiving, better security, and new accessibility software.