Can I Use Google Pay Without a Bank Account? [NO, and This is Why]

Google Pay is fast becoming a widely accepted payment method. A lot of people have begun to use Google Pay as a way of paying for goods and services in stores where the contactless payment method is accepted. One of the many questions asked by prospective users of the payment gateway is whether they can use Google Pay without a bank account.

There are so many benefits associated with Google Pay as a payment method but it comes with a lot of modalities. In a short while, I will be showing you whether Google Pay can work without your bank account or not. The ease of paying using Google Pay is untold. You can simply send and receive money to anyone using your smartphone.

Another interesting fact about using Google Pay is that you can send money to someone even if the person does not have Google Pay. The platform allows users to store their financial information securely such as credit & debit cards, gift cards, and rewards cards to make online payments. With Google Pay, you can shop online, pay in stores, perform mobile recharges, and more.

Now to the main focus of today’s article – can I use Google Pay without a bank account?

Can I use Google Pay Without a Bank Account?

You cannot use Google Pay without a bank account. Google Pay is a popular payment gateway but it requires a connection with your bank account. To use Google Pay, you need to link the app to a bank account and the mobile number attached to the bank account. Without a bank account and a mobile number, you cannot use Google Pay. 

It is important to understand why Google Pay will not work unless you connect your bank account to the payment gateway. To use Google Pay, the platform requires your bank account details which would be used to create a UPI PIN. A UPI PIN is a number you enter whenever you add a new payment account or make a transaction.

How to Add a Bank Account on Google Pay

You already know that it is not possible to use Google Pay without a bank account. In essence, you can only use Google Pay to pay for orders and services only when it is connected to your bank account. There are two ways to add a bank account on Google Pay and I will be showing you how to do so with ease.

Method 1: Adding a Credit/Debit Card 

This method involves using the Google Wallet app. To add your bank account to your Google Pay using the add credit/debit card, follow the steps below:

• Unlock your device and open the Google Wallet app. You can download it from the Google Play Store
• Scroll down to the bottom of the app and tap the Add to Wallet button
• Click on Payment Card. This will reveal all the cards you have saved on your Google account previously
• Next, click on Add New Credit or Debit card. You can add a card by taking a photo of it or entering its details manually
• Click on Save at the bottom of your screen
• Read the terms and conditions of your card’s issuer before tapping Accept
• You will be asked to verify the card just entered. This is pretty easy. Just choose any of the verification methods you are presented with

Once you complete this process, you will get a notification informing you that your card has been added to Google Pay and will be able to make contactless payments anywhere Google Pay or GPay is accepted. If you do not get such a message, an error has occurred and you would need to repeat the process or try the second method below.

Method 2: Using Your Bank’s Mobile App or Website

You can use your bank’s mobile app or its internet banking facility to add a payment method on Google Pay. Sadly, not all banks are compatible with Google Pay or have made the provision for customers to use Google Pay through their platforms. 

Here’s how to add a bank account on Google Pay using your bank’s mobile app or website:

• Open your banking app or log on to your bank’s website
• Log into your bank account and access your dashboard
• On your dashboard, locate the Add to Google Wallet or Add to GPay button where you can connect your bank account to Google Pay
• Click on the button and follow the on-screen instructions to connect
• Once done then you can use your Google Pay wallet to make payments anywhere you see the Google Pay and GPay symbols

As I stated earlier, not all banks and financial institutions support the use of Google Pay. You may not find the buttons to add both payment methods. Contact your bank to understand why.

Unable to Add a Bank Account in Google Pay (Possible Causes and How to Fix)

If you are unable to add a bank account in Google Pay, there are a couple of reasons why. The following are reasons why you may be unable to add a bank account in Google Pay:

• Your bank does not work with UPI PIN
• Outgoing SMS services on your phone are turned off
• Your bank does not support Google Pay

Your Bank Does not Work with UPI PIN 

Google Pay requires a UPI PIN before you can add any payment method. If your bank does not support the use of UPI PINs, you may have a hard time adding it to your Google Pay. Check that your bank supports the use of UPI PINs and if you still encounter the problem, you will have to reset your UPI PIN.

Outgoing SMS Services May be Turned Off 

If the outgoing SMS service on your phone is turned off which is often seen in certain phone operators, you will need to turn it on to add a bank account in Google Pay. Contact your phone operator and ask that your outgoing SMS service is turned back on to be sure where the problem is coming from.

Your Bank Does not Support Google Pay 

The bank may not be compatible with Google Pay which is a major reason why you may be unable to add a bank account in Google Pay. Not all banks have made the provision for their customers to use Google Pay as a payment method. You will keep getting error messages if you try to connect a bank account that is not compatible with Google Pay.

Google Pay Alternative: 8 Digital Wallet Without Bank Account

Looking for a Google Pay alternative? I understand that you may want a digital wallet without a bank account where you can make payments, and send & receive money. The following platforms allow you to send and receive money without adding your bank account. 

• Venmo
• PayPal 
• Taler 
• Lydia
• Samsung Pay
• Square Wallet 
• Apple Pay
• DASH

These payment methods allow you to make payments and send & receive money without adding a bank account. If you need a Google Pay alternative, any of them will suffice. My personal favorites are Venmo and PayPal. Samsung Pay is also a great option. whichever digital wallet you choose from the list above, you can be sure they will serve their purposes.

Final Thoughts on Can I Use Google Pay without a Bank Account 

You cannot use Google Pay without a bank account. The payment gateway only works when it is connected to a bank account. If you need to use a digital wallet without a bank account, you can consider PayPal, Venmo, Samsung Pay, etc.