Google Pay® offers convenient ways for anyone with an Android device - such as a smart phone or watch - to make in person and online payments more conveniently.
If you’re new to Google Pay Malaysia you’ll probably be wondering how the service works, how safe it is, and how to get started. This guide has you covered with everything there is to know about Google Pay (GPay) Malaysia. Also, we’ll cover why getting the Wise card can be the easiest way to start using Google Pay.
Before we move on to how to use Google Pay in Malaysia, let’s start with the basics: is Google Pay available in Malaysia, and if so, which banks and cards are supported?
Google Pay has been available in Malaysia since November 2022. Originally 4 banks offered Google Pay supported cards, but more banks and card networks have been added, with other banks and providers likely to launch Google Pay compatible cards in Malaysia in future, too.
At the time of writing, the Malaysian banks and providers which offer Google Pay compatible cards are as follows¹:
It’s helpful to know that some cards issued by participating banks may not be Google Pay compatible - if you’re unsure about whether your card can be used for mobile payments you’ll need to double check your card or account terms and conditions, or talk to a member of bank staff directly.
Google Pay sits as part of the Google Wallet®² app, which is a digital wallet you can use to hold payment cards, as well as tickets, loyalty cards, and even your vaccination records. Google Pay is free to use, and the app can generally be accessed through any NFC capable Android® devices running Android 5.0 (Lollipop®) or higher.
With Google Pay you can add one or more payment cards - Google Pay compatible credit or debit cards - to your phone, to make mobile payments when you’re out and about by simply tapping your phone or other smart device on the payment terminal. You can also use Google Pay when shopping online, for more convenient and secure transactions no matter where you shop.
When you use Google Pay there’s no extra fee to pay. Any charges you’d pay to use your physical card - such as interest fees when using a credit card - will still apply, but you’ll also continue to collect any rewards, cash back or loyalty points you’d collect when using your physical card.
New to Google Pay Malaysia? We’ll look at how to set up Google Pay in more detail in just a moment.
Google Pay is safe to use. Using a mobile payment method has a practical advantage in that you’ll not need to carry round cash or a physical card - which reduces the risk of loss or theft. During the payment process, Google Pay doesn’t share your real card information with the merchants, which adds another layer of security to the transaction.
Mobile payment services like Google Pay have also invested heavily in security measures to keep customers safe, including verification and authentication processes which mean your device can’t be used by others. If you’re unlucky enough to lose your phone or device you can use Find my Phone to track it down, or remotely erase data so your cards are removed if you’re concerned.
Google Pay is available on select Android phones and smart devices in Malaysia, for people who have Google Pay supported cards. Let’s take a look at how to set up Google Pay in Malaysia so you can start making convenient mobile payments:
You’ll be able to enter your card details manually, or use your phone’s camera to scan the card and auto populate the card details to the app. Once you’re set up you’ll be able to simply tap to pay wherever contactless payments with Google Pay are accepted. Easy.
You may have heard people talking about topping up Google Pay, by adding funds to a balance held on your account. However, this service is only available at present in the US³.
In Malaysia you won’t need to top up Google Pay to use the service, simply link an eligible payment card and you can start transacting - the payments are billed or debited directly against the card you’ve chosen.
There are a few Google Pay limits you’ll want to know about, although some of them may vary depending on your specific bank and the card you choose to use.
For example, HSBC Malaysia states you’ll need to enter your PIN for any mobile payment over the value of 250 MYR⁴. Hong Leong Bank customers will also need to use their PIN for payments of 250 MYR or above, but may also have daily limits for payments made without a PIN, which depend on their card type⁵. These limits are set for security, and can be checked with the bank or card issuer directly.
If you’re unsure about your own card’s Google Pay limits, ask your bank to confirm.
If you’re looking for a contactless card which lets you use Google Pay both at home and abroad and doesn’t require you to be a customer of a certain Malaysian bank - the Wise international prepaid debit card might be the one for you. You can open a Wise account for free online, and order a linked international card for just 13.70 MYR.
Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
It’s not just a card that can be linked to Google Pay. Wise card is perfect for anyone living an international lifestyle or shopping online, with the option to hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market exchange rate in the Wise account (with no annual or hidden fees), make local cash withdrawals from 2.3 million ATMs - and spend any currency you hold for free with your card.
Plus, you can generate up to 3 virtual cards in the Wise account alongside the physical Wise card.
Here’s how to order a Wise card and link it to Google Pay:
At the time of writing, there are no Maybank Google Pay supported cards. You can use cards from other major Malaysian banks like CIMB and HLB instead, or a non-bank alternative like Wise.
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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