ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google Pockets can do rather more now than retailer playing cards.
- The app gained a number of main options in 2026.
- You can provide your youngster their allowance, undergo TSA, and extra.
Most individuals know by now that Google Wallet can do issues in addition to retailer your bank cards, however you may need missed that Google has added quite a bit to its digital pockets app in simply the previous few months.
Along with a large dwelling display screen and interface redesign, Google launched a number of vital options in 2026 that make the app rather more helpful (it’s even reportedly coming to iOS quickly, according to Android Authority).
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I’ve began utilizing Google Pockets increasingly more not too long ago, and I’m persistently stunned after I discover new methods to keep away from reaching for my actual pockets. Right here’s a take a look at my favourite additions this 12 months.
1. Preserve a watch out for orders
There’s no scarcity of how to simply monitor your incoming packages, however now there’s yet one more. In June, Google rolled out the power to view your online orders and monitor your packages in Pockets.
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You will have to have package tracking enabled in Gmail, however after getting that on, you’ll be able to see your detailed receipts, monitoring numbers, and transport standing contained in the Pockets app.
2. Breeze by means of airport safety
In June of this year, Google introduced a partnership with the Transportation Safety Administration that made Pockets the primary digital pockets appropriate with the PreCheck Touchless ID program. Because of this at 65 US airports, you’ll be able to present your cellphone as an alternative of your bodily ID when you have TSA PreCheck.
Right here’s the way it works: Once you look into the digicam on the TSA checkpoint, the system compares the reside picture to your saved digital ID. You will have to arrange your ID cross and save your boarding cross to Pockets, however after getting that able to go, you’ll be by means of airport safety extra rapidly than ever.
3. Give your kids cash securely
August 2026 noticed the rollout of a new allowance feature for Google Wallet that allows you to ship cash to a toddler’s account — both frequently or at any time when wanted. Your youngster can then use their cellphone to faucet to pay.
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This can be a unbelievable choice when you don’t need your youngster to hold a bodily card or money that they could lose, and it has the safety of not having the ability to be used on-line in any respect. I attempted this with my son, and this technique was by far his favourite over a card.
4. Add your driver’s license
This function isn’t new, however extra states have been added in 2026. Residents in 11 states can now add their official state driver’s license or ID card to Google Pockets: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Ohio.
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A number of extra states, together with North Carolina, are including the potential as early as spring 2027. Including your ID to Google Pockets isn’t an entire alternative to your bodily card, however you should use the digital model for age verification at taking part retailers and inside choose apps.
5. Switch your transit card by means of NFC
Customers have been ready so as to add transit playing cards to Google Pockets for a while now, however a September replace to the app added the power to switch bodily transit playing cards (and their balances) to your Pockets through NFC. Earlier than, you needed to manually kind all the knowledge to switch a card.
