Google Tightens Security: Now Requires Verification Just to Open Google Wallet

In 2024, Google Wallet introduced a security feature requiring users to verify their identity a few minutes after unlocking their phone. Initially, this only affected tap-to-pay transactions, but now it appears that the verification requirement has been extended to accessing the entire app's homepage. After three minutes of inactivity, users must authenticate via PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint, or face recognition to access their digital wallet. This change is part of Google's efforts to enhance security as digital wallets store increasingly sensitive information like state IDs, passports, and medical data. However, it also introduces a trade-off between security and convenience, especially for frequently used features like loyalty cards and transit passes. The new behavior has been observed in version 25.18 of Google Wallet on Pixel and Samsung devices.