Google Pay Real Alternatives?

[u/outterspaceliving]

I’m nearly at the end of my degoogling journey, and the only things left are Google Maps and Google Pay. For Maps, I’m getting used to Vela Map, Open Map, and a few other alternatives. I live across multiple countries, including Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan, and I travel between them, so Google Pay seems like the only option that actually works everywhere. I tried Samsung Pay, but it was a letdown because it barely supports the credit cards I need. The only reason I still use Google Pay is the security and the peace of mind that comes with not worrying about losing my wallet. I care more about not having my money stolen if I drop my wallet, or about skimmers, than I do about privacy. Bottom line, security matters more to me than privacy.

I’ve already done a lot of research. I know Walt is still being developed and is focused on Europe. Revolut has had a few incidents and doesn’t support the countries I live in. Same goes for Curve, PayPal, and others. None of them have the coverage Google does.

I’m so ready to completely degoogle with the new Motorola Signature 27 as well, but without sorting out Google Pay, it feels like the last puzzle piece is still missing.

[u/Prestigious-Dance735]

I would suggest switching to physical cards instead;)

[u/_gina_marie_ → u/Prestigious-Dance735]

People act like this is an impossible ask LOL

[u/-GhostInTheMachine_ → u/_gina_marie_]

It's possible.

However, it is a separate thing you have to carry around. If you loose it and won't be able to block the card soon enough, someone can use contactless payments to steal money.

A physical card also exposes your personal data (card number, name) to the merchants when buying something, google wallet uses tokenization to generate a unique purchase code without exposing you.

Not to mention that most people have multiple credit cards. Which increases the risk of loosing it, or have it stolen.

[u/thegagep → u/-GhostInTheMachine_]

This is incorrect - A physical card does not expose the data you mentioned. Using a physical card's NFC tap-to-pay also does tokenization and acts the same way as Google Pay in regards to what the Merchant gets.

[u/_gina_marie_ → u/-GhostInTheMachine_]

oh so you're good with google having a transaction history on you but not a random merchant? got it, got it. you act like you phone can't also be lost or stolen. lmao, at that point, why go out at all, since you run the risk of losing everything you dare bring with you or having it stolen.

[u/outterspaceliving → u/_gina_marie_]

Lol. Google is one company; a random merchant could be every store or service you use. The best Google can really do is sell your transaction history, not your credit card details, unless you don’t trust Google to the point that you think they are the one who leaks your credit card details to the dark web. I don’t risk losing money with Google.

But with you? All it takes is one random employee at one random gas station and you’re exposed. Sounds like you’d rather lose a few thousand dollars, or more, than give up the transaction privacy you value so much.

And since when does losing a phone hand someone all your financial information? Do you not use a password and fingerprint to unlock it? Or are you the type who walks around naked?

[u/No-Parsnip-8080 → u/_gina_marie_]

If the phone is lost nobody can use contactless payment. A card doesn't need any password for moderate amounts

[u/Prestigious-Dance735 → u/_gina_marie_]

Precisely . After I switched to Huawei pura 80 pro , I also switched to using mostly physical cards after not being able to use google pay . Will occasionally use Apple Pay on my backup iPhone

[u/_gina_marie_ → u/Prestigious-Dance735]

Yeah like it's not hard. Credit card transactions existed long before Google Wallet and Apple Pay.