Google just made flight travel much easier, and it starts with the digital wallet on your mobile.
The California-based tech firm has released a smart new feature for Google Wallet on Android devices, which automatically shows your tickets and passes on your lock screen the moment you get near the location where you’ll need them.
For instance, when you're near a relevant spot like an airport gate, Wallet sends a push notification straight to your screen. So when you’re approaching the airport terminal, your boarding pass pops up — no tapping or searching required.
Google Wallet first made an appearance in the UK in January 2015
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Beyond location-based alerts, the update also keeps you informed about your flight status before you even leave home. Google Wallet now sends check-in reminders ahead of your departure, drawing this information directly from confirmation emails in your Gmail inbox.
This means you'll receive a notification prompting you to complete online check-in at the appropriate time, provided you've booked using the same email address linked to your Google account.
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Once your boarding pass is stored in the wallet, it continues working for you throughout your journey. If your airline pushes through any changes, such as a different departure gate or an updated flight time, your digital pass refreshes automatically to display the current information.
You can even access your saved passes without an internet connection, though receiving live updates requires mobile data.
If your airline pushes through any changes, such as a different departure gate or an updated flight time, your digital pass refreshes automatically to display the current information. | GOOGLE PRESS OFFICEThe catch? To enable the nearby notifications feature, you must grant Google Wallet permission to access your location "all the time."
This setting allows the app to continuously monitor where your device is, even when you're not actively using it. For some, though, handing over constant location tracking may feel like too much to exchange for easier pass retrieval.
Google Wallet's new feature may soon apply to concert tickets, shopping loyalty cards, entry passes, and more
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You can activate the feature in two ways. The first option lets you switch on notifications for individual passes through each pass's details screen. Alternatively, you can enable the nearby passes notification channel to apply the setting across all your stored documents at once.
If you'd rather manage things manually, the feature remains entirely optional.
According to the crew over at 9to5Google, the feature could also work for all sorts of passes in the future, such as the following:
- Concert tickets
- Shopping loyalty cards
- Entry passes for attractions or events