Need to send someone money or request money from someone? If you and the other person have Android devices and the Google Gmail app, you can send and receive money just as you can with Gmail on the web.
The ability to send money has been baked into the online Gmail service for a few years; the search giant added Google Wallet, now Google Pay Send, to its Gmail app in March 2017, meaning you can send and receive money on the go using your phone or tablet.
So far, the feature is limited to the Android version of Gmail. Apple iPhone and iPad users are out of luck, though they can use the Google Pay app to send and receive money. But you can't beat the convenience of having the feature built directly into an email app. Here's how to use it.
Google Pay Account
To use Gmail to send or receive money, you'll first need to set up a Google Pay account if you haven't yet done so. You can do this from the Gmail app, but you may find it easier to do it from the Google Pay website. Surf to the site and sign in with your Google account. Click on the option to "Add debit card." A pop-up will appear, where you can enter your payment information.
Send Money
To send money though the Gmail app, make sure Gmail is set up on your Android device. Open Gmail and tap on the icon to compose a new email. Tap on the Attachment icon. From the pop-up menu, tap Send money. The app displays a Google Pay screen. Enter the amount of money you wish to send. If Google Pay is not set up, you'll need to add a debit card here. Otherwise, tap the link to "Attach Money."
Add a Memo
You can add a memo if you wish. Tap on Done. And then tap on the Send button to send the email.
Claim Money
Your recipient then receives your email. If that person hasn’t yet set up Google Pay, he or she clicks on the link to Claim Money. If the person has set up Google Pay and has established a default debit card or other payment method, then the money is automatically transferred to his or her default account. Your recipient can then click on the View Transaction button in the email to see the transfer in Google Pay.
Transfer
Your recipient then signs into his or her Google account. That person is taken to the Google Pay webpage, where he or she is asked to add a debit card to collect the money you sent. Finally, that person clicks on the Transfer button to claim the money. The money is then transferred to the person’s debit card. Your recipient clicks on the Done button to finish.
Request Money
To request money, open Gmail and tap the icon to compose a new email. Tap the Attachment icon. From the pop-up menu, tap Request money. Enter the amount of money you wish to receive and then tap on the link to "Attach Request." Add a memo if you wish and then tap Done. Review the email and tap the Send button to send it.
Request Email
Your recipient then receives your email with the request for payment. That person can click the Pay Now link or Decline Request.
Transfer
The Google Pay page opens to display the request for money. Your recipient clicks on the Transfer button. That person may be asked to provide some details to confirm his or her identity. The money is then sent to you.
Once you and the other person have already set up your debit cards or bank accounts, those will automatically be used as the default for future transactions, making the process easier and quicker.
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I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld,PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters.I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
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