Google Wallet may require PIN for Wear OS-based payment transactions
What's the story
Google Wallet, the widely-used payment app on Wear OS, may soon necessitate users to input a PIN code before executing tap-to-pay transactions.
This potential modification follows the recent increase in authentication requirements on Android phones.
Until now, users could make payments by simply launching the watch app and tapping their device.
The new requirement has not yet been implemented uniformly across all devices.
Implementation issues
Inconsistencies noted in new security feature
The new PIN requirement for Google Wallet on Wear OS has not been consistently observed across all devices.
For instance, during several transactions conducted on a Pixel Watch 2, no such requirement was noted.
This inconsistency suggests that the change may still be in the rollout phase or could be under testing.
The speculated reason behind this potential change is to enhance security.
Concerns
It may disrupt user experience
The Google Wallet's upcoming feature for smartwatches is seen as somewhat disruptive.
One of the key advantages of using a watch for payments is its constant presence on the user's wrist.
Interestingly, Wear OS already prompts for PIN entry if it detects that the watch has been removed from the wrist, making this new change somewhat puzzling.
Additionally, this feature implies that users must open the app first; otherwise, their initial tap will fail.
Disappointment
Impact on individual preferences for Wear OS
Earlier this week, Google confirmed an intentional change to its Wallet app on smartphones.
Now, similar changes are being observed on the watch counterpart.
The new facility could potentially disappoint users who find Wear OS a convenient alternative to phone-based transactions.
In general, unlocking with a fingerprint is generally considered more convenient than entering a PIN on a small screen.