Google’s Tez is Live: The UPI-Based Digital Payment App for India

Google launches digital payment app for India called Tez, which works on Android and iOS smartphones.

Google is finally entering the digital payment space in India with Tez. 

(Photo: The Quint)

Google’s digital payments mission in India goes live with Tez, its UPI-based payment platform. The app will be available on both Android and iOS, but India’s majority preference for the former could mean Google pushes faster updates for Android users.

Google relies on its existing user base via Gmail and Chrome to develop its Tez payment ecosystem. 

Tez has been rolled out for both consumers as well as businesses.

Features of Tez

• Supports multiple Indian languages
• Available on iOS and Android
• Works on phones with up to KitKat on Android and iPhone 4S
• Cash mode payment works via phone’s mic and speaker
• Tez available for consumers and merchants
• Login for Tez via Google ID
• Payment process applicable via UPI login/finger ID

Understandably, users will be required to login to Tez with his/her Google ID, without needing you to create a new profile. As Google puts it, Tez has been first made in India, for the country, and by partnering with banks like ICICI, HDFC and Axis among others, with equal focus on features that will be handy for consumers pan India.

We had discussions with Sundar Pichai earlier this year for Tez, and congratulate Google for developing a UPI-based app for India.

Arun Jaitely, Finance Minister of India

By integrating with UPI, Google has won the brownie points from PM Narendra Modi’s regime, which was highlighted by the presence of no less than Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

With Tez, Google plans to tap into existing 300 million mobile internet users in India, expected to reach 650 million by 2020. 

In terms of features, Tez supports multiple Indian languages – Hindi, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati among others.

Currently, Tez is integrated with over 55 banks in India, which works only if you have a India-based mobile number (as mentioned on the Tez website).

Google also claims that Tez, in terms of security, is protected by its service called Tez Shield, which ensures that the payment process via Tez doesn’t fall prey to mishaps.

Google is the latest global brand to endorse UPI after Uber’s recent announcement, with more names expected to join the ranks in the coming months.