Following its update on Tuesday that brought its payment software to all Android phones – not just those with Near Field Communication wireless transmission — Google has now made it possible for iPhone users to get in on Google Wallet.
The iPhone app shares features with Wallet’s Android app, including the ability to store loyalty cards inside the app, rather than carry all of them around in your physical wallet. In addition, users will be able to send money to anyone with an email address.
This is a big play for Google, which seems to be moving quickly to try and compete with PayPal and Square in the mobile payment market.
It’s unclear if Google plans to add support for wireless money transmission to Wallet in the future. Currently, only users of particular NFC-equipped Android phones are able to use Wallet to pay for goods in brick-and-mortar stores. Apple hasn’t yet added NFC support to iPhones.
Previously on GeekWire: Google Wallet now available for all Android phones, NFC requirement nixed
