Google Wallet ‘verify it’s you’ request appears minutes after unlock – 9to5Google

Users have noticed in recent weeks that Google is requiring device unlocks for every tap-to-pay transaction regardless of the amount. At the same time, Google Wallet appears to be testing a second change related to more frequent verification.

Officially, Google says your credit and debit card wont be charged for retail payments unless youve recently used a verification method, like your fingerprint or PIN.

While the support documents dont specify the exact duration of recently, people myself included have noticed it get shorter.

To give an example: When Im in line at the supermarket, I unlock and use my phone until I get to the register. Usually, the phone is still active (screen on) when its time to pay. This week, when I tapped the terminal, my Pixel 8 asked me to authenticate again. In the past, Ive never had to verify during this specific tap-to-pay situation.

Since then, Ive found that three minutes after initially unlocking via fingerprint, Google Wallet wants me to re-authenticate.

In fact, in testing with a timer, Ive noticed a new For your security, you need to verify its you before paying prompt at the top of the Google Wallet app. This is only appearing on that Pixel 8 where I encountered the change.

The message did not appear on two other Pixel phones that I had side-by-side during the at-home tests unlock phone via fingerprint, keep the screen active, and open/close Google Wallet at 1, 2, and 3-minute intervals until the verify its you prompt appears Ive performed.

This suggests Google is either still testing this behavior or has yet to widely roll it out.

For comparison, Apple Pay on the iPhone requires that you authenticate every tap-to-pay transaction. Android and Google Wallet is moving closer in that direction, but is still providing more leeway.

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Google Wallet 'verify it's you' request appears minutes after unlock - 9to5Google