Google integrates money transfer in US Gmail app for Android

Google is going to make it possible for users of the Android app of Gmail to make payments between themselves. Users can now transfer money to others, with the payment added as an attachment to the email. For now it only works in the US.

Google says the new functionality for the Gmail mobile app is not limited to people with Gmail email accounts. This update is only available for Android. Whether and when this payment functionality will also be available for Gmail on iOS is unclear.

The service is completely free for both the recipient and the payer. Payment requests can be made directly from the Gmail app without the need for a dedicated separate payment app. The money received can be credited directly to the recipient’s bank account from Gmail.

Sending money to others via Gmail has been around since 2013, although this was not yet possible via the mobile app and only with Gmail in the browser on desktops and laptops. This service works via Google Wallet, which must be linked to a bank account. Payments via the app also work via Wallet, but users do not need to have this app installed separately.