Google Wallet Now Supports Aadhaar in India: Here Is Everything You Need to Know

It's been a while since Google Wallet launched in India and its feature set has grown a fair bit in the last year. Bringing the ability to store passes and transit tickets, the app is now expanding its capabilities in one of its biggest updates. Google Wallet now supports Aadhaar in India.

Google Wallet Is Getting Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials

The official Google X handle posted earlier today that Google Wallet now supports Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials. Expanding upon its existing partnership with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), users can now save their Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials directly within the Google Wallet app on their Android phones.

Google wallet aadhaar expansion post on X

According to Google, this creates a "secure, digital-first ID" designed to streamline the verification process. Moreover, to ensure user privacy, the digital IDs utilise selective disclosure, ensuring that when a user is asked to prove their identity, the app only shares the details required, keeping the rest of the information secure.

For the initial wave, Google has collaborated with players such as PVR INOX, Bharat Matrimony, Atlys, Mygate and Snabbit. The latter two could help verify delivery staff and gig economy workers with ease.

Google Wallet Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials — Image Credit: Google

Beyond the India push, Google has also announced that users in Singapore, Taiwan and Brazil can now create a secure ID pass within Google Wallet. This pass is generated using the user's passport information.

Once created and saved in Google Wallet, it should serve as a simple, private method for verifying age and identity for both in-person services and online account sign-ins in those respective regions.

That said, it's great to see Google expanding Wallet functionality and experience in India, which has been rather dry. Google Wallet in India does not allow users to store cards, as that functionality resides in Google Pay.

While the tech giant says that Google Wallet Aadhaar support is rolling out, we could not get it to work on our Pixel 10 yet. However, since the update is rolling out gradually, be on the lookout as it could roll out to you soon.