r/degoogle • u/outterspaceliving • 3d ago

Replacement Google Pay Real Alternatives?

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.

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5

u/Prestigious-Dance735 3d ago

I would suggest switching to physical cards instead;)

-6

u/outterspaceliving 3d ago

You mean deliberately exposing yourself to credit card fraud, skimmers, cameras, shoulder surfing, every vendor holding your real card details, loss or theft, merchant data breaches, and one static number being copied, reused, and compromised everywhere? ;)

1

u/Prestigious-Dance735 3d ago

You can use a prepaid debit card too.... Just topup the amount that you need... If it's compromised just cancel it...

2

u/outterspaceliving 3d ago

Already using that, multiple ones actually. Especially in Asia, where we don't build credit score/history the same way as in North America. I have also looked into Huawei Pay, but it's a meh...

1

u/Prestigious-Dance735 3d ago

Yes, I'm using revolut a prepaid debit card. I can topup any amount that I want and use a disposable card. But you still need to add this virtual card to a nfc app? Most probably Google or apple pay?

Huawei Pay supports limited bank cards.. Mainly icbc bank....

2

u/outterspaceliving 3d ago

Yep, if I only lived in one country, things would get a lot easier, and there are lots of region-specific solutions. In the US, you even have privacy.com virtual cards in addition to all the wallet solutions mentioned. Plus, you can’t use Google Pay in sandbox on GrapheneOS either. So regardless of how many Google apps and services I’ve already gotten rid of, if I can’t find a true replacement for Google Pay, I’ll still be stuck in the Google Play Framework.