Over 5.3 billion, or nearly two-thirds of the world's ~8.2 billion people, now use digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Analysts predict transaction volumes will soar past $16 trillion by 2028.

Leading the charge are Apple Pay and Google Pay (now Google Wallet in most regions), the fintech giants powering seamless, secure, one-tap payments.

With 40% of online purchases made on mobile devices, these wallets are increasingly indispensable for consumers and businesses alike. This research dives into key 2025 statistics, adoption rates, and surprising trends for Apple Pay and Google Wallet. Whether you're an iPhone loyalist, an Android enthusiast, or a merchant eyeing faster checkout, you'll discover uncommon numbers and stats that unpin these wallets' operations.

Overview: Apple Pay vs Google Wallet

Apple Pay – The iPhone's Payment Powerhouse

Apple launched Apple Pay in 2014. It pioneered mainstream digital wallets. Apple thrived within Apple's tightly knit ecosystem of iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macs. As of writing, estimates suggest there are up to 744 million Apple Pay users on the network, up from 507 million five years ago.

Apple Pay processes billions of transactions annually and is available in over 90 countries, supported by 11,000 banks. Apple Pay dominates the US market with a 54% share of in-store mobile wallet transactions.

Google Wallet: Android's Versatile Contender

Google Pay, rebranded as Google Wallet in most markets by June 2024, launched in 2015 and serves 200-250 million users globally in 2025. Google Pay allowed users to store credit or debit card information digitally and transact with their smartphones or wearables.

Available in ~86 countries, Google Wallet leverages Android's open NFC technology for flexible features, like ticket sharing and file transfers. Google Wallet equally integrates seamlessly with Wear OS smartwatches. Google Wallet has ~48.6 million users in the U.S., projected to reach 57 million by 2028.

Unique Features at Glance: What’s New In 2025

Apple Pay's 2025 Highlights

1. Digital IDs and passports in Wallet: Apple confirmed at WWDC25 that starting in fall 2025, U.S. users can add a digital version of their passport or state ID to Wallet. It works at TSA checkpoints and supports 'Verify with Wallet' on eligible websites like Uber Eats, Turo, and banks.
2. Preauth payments for subscriptions: Apple Pay in iOS 26 adds Preauthorized Payments for users to set up recurring payments with a single authorization.
3. AI-powered order tracking: Apple Intelligence uses on-device AI to automatically extract and display purchase tracking information from merchant or carrier emails, and provide transaction summaries, reminders, and recommendations.
4. Enhanced boarding passes + indoor maps: Wallet boarding passes now include Live Activities with live updates and integrated indoor maps, helping you navigate airports easily.
5. CDCVM unlocks higher-limit transactions: Apple Pay now uses the Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) from Face/Touch ID for secure contactless transactions above traditional thresholds at supporting terminals.
6. Passkeys integration and streamlined sign-in: iOS 26 has expanded passkeys across iPhone and ecosystem apps, enabling passwordless, biometric sign-ins that are more secure and phishing-resistant.

Google Wallet's 2025 Highlights

1. Digital IDs with zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) age checks: Google confirmed at Google I/O 2025 that you can now store state IDs/passports (Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, West Virginia) and prove you're 18+/21+ in apps without revealing your identity.
2. Auto-linked boarding passes: After you check in, partner airlines can push boarding passes (and link loyalty cards) straight into Google Wallet with live gate/delay updates.
3. Nearby-passes notifications: Opt-in alerts surface the right ticket, loyalty card, or coupon when you walk into the relevant venue or store.
4. Generic private passes with secure images/biometric lock: Developers can issue business cards, memberships, event tickets, or insurance cards that stay hidden behind Face/Touch ID or PIN.
5. Transit Insights & season-pass support: Link a tokenized payment card to monthly/annual passes and see journey history, fare caps, and savings in Wallet.
6. Family-link supervised access for kids: In the US, UK, AU, ES, and PL, parents can approve tap-to-pay, get instant spend alerts, and remotely revoke a child's card or passes.

Apple Pay vs Google Wallet Market Adoption Rates: Who's Winning Where?

Digital tap-to-pay transaction volume (including Apple Pay and Google Wallet) is projected to grow by ~150% by 2028. By 2027, digital wallets are expected to be the de facto alternative payment method for U.S. POS transactions.

Apple Pay's Global Reach

Apple said during Apple Pay's 10th anniversary last year that hundreds of millions of consumers use the payment method to check out on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores globally.

• Apple Pay Global Users:
  1. Apple Pay had an estimated 744 million users worldwide in 2024, from 507 million in 2020, representing a 26.2% growth (CAGR of 6.0%), with a projected 1 billion by 2030.‍
  2. In 2022, Apple Pay processed $6 trillion in transactions globally, generating $1.9 billion in revenue (0.14% per transaction).
  3. Analysts indicate that Apple Pay's transaction volume reached 15 billion in 2022 and 20 billion in 2023.

• Apple Pay U.S. Stats:
  1. Apple Pay had 60 million users in the United States (21.2% of the population) in 2024, growing to 63.9 million in 2025 (6.1% growth from 2024), and 67 million in 2026 (CAGR of 6.7% from 2020).
  2. 54% of in-store mobile wallet transactions were made with Apple Pay in 2024, up from 48.9% in 2023; 14.2% of online payments, up from 12.7% in 2023.
  3. Apple Pay facilitated $199 billion in in-store orders in 2022, representing 3.1% of total U.S. merchant sales.
  4. Over 85% of U.S. retailers accept Apple Pay, with retail (14%), fashion, manufacturing, and food/beverage industries being key adopters.
  5. Over 1 in 5 U.S. consumers (21.2%) used Apple Pay at least monthly in 2024.

• Apple Pay Non-U.S. Highlights:
  
  • UK: 63% in-store, 39% Apple Pay penetration. Apple Pay is supported by 3,000+ banks/card issuers and 250 fintech/challenger banks in Europe.
  • Australia: 50% in-store, 65% mobile payment market share.
  • China: Limited adoption due to Alipay/WeChat Pay dominance.
  • Demographics: Gen Z leads in Apple Pay users with 73.1% weekly usage; Millennials and Gen X follow closely.

Google Wallet's Global Reach

Google does not share precise user or transaction data. However, industry forecasts and consumer surveys provide insights into Google Wallet's adoption.‍

• Google Wallet's Global Users:
  1. As of April 2022, Google Wallet had an estimated 150 million users worldwide. Estimates put Google Wallet’s user base growth at approximately 200–250 million users globally, assuming a conservative 10–15% CAGR based on mobile payment market growth and Android’s global device share (over 70% of smartphones).
  2. Forecasts predict Google Wallet users could reach 300 million by 2028, driven by Android’s dominance in emerging markets like India and Southeast Asia.
  3. Google Wallet integrates with major payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and regional fintechs, particularly in India and Southeast Asia.
  4. The global digital wallet market processed $9 trillion in 2023, with Google Wallet estimated to hold a 3–5% share of mobile wallet transactions (compared to Apple Pay’s ~10–15%). This suggests Google Wallet processed approximately $270–450 billion in 2023, though this is an estimate.

• Google Wallet's U.S. Stats:
  • There were 48.59 million Google Wallet users (14.5% of the US population) in 2024, projected to reach 50.94 million in 2025, 53.06 million in 2026, and 56.95 million in 2028.
  • 17% of in-store mobile wallet transactions and 20–25% of online payments are made with Google Wallet.
  • Google Wallet accounted for ~2–3% of total U.S. merchant sales in 2024, with approximately 10–12% of U.S. consumers using Google Wallet at least monthly in 2024
  • 70–80% of U.S. retailers accept Google Wallet.
• Non-U.S. Highlights:
  • India: Google Wallet (still branded as Google Pay in India) led with 82% in-store penetration and 80% online penetration in 2024. India ranks among the top countries for proximity mobile payments, with Google Pay dominating alongside PhonePe.
  • UK: 37% in-store, 32% online.
  • France: 25–30% in-store, trailing Apple Pay’s 60%.
• Demographics: Google Wallet is most popular among ages 25–44; Gen Z and Millennials use it weekly at 60–70% and 45–50%, respectively.

Apple Pay vs Google Pay: Security, Privacy & Trust

• Tokenization for secure transactions: Both platforms protect against card fraud, reducing chargeback risks. Apple Pay's Secure Element (SE) chip provides a slight edge for hardware-based security.
• Biometric Auth Standards: Apple Pay enforces uniform biometric authentication through Face ID or Touch ID for most transactions. Google Wallet offers a similar program, but functionality may vary depending on device capabilities and user settings.
• Data encryption and storage: Apple Pay and Google Wallet are PCI compliant, which ensures minimized merchant exposure to sensitive card data. Apple Pay’s on-device storage is perceived as more secure by privacy-conscious consumers.
• Privacy policies and data sharing: Apple Pay's strict no-tracking policy enhances consumer trust, while Google Wallet incentivizes merchants with features like loyalty integration.
• Merchant data exposure: Both protect merchants from handling sensitive card data, lowering liability. Apple Pay’s minimal data sharing aligns better with privacy-focused markets.
• Consumer trust and brand perception: Apple Pay’s stronger trust drives higher adoption in premium markets (e.g., U.S., UK), while Google Wallet’s trust is robust in Android-heavy regions like India.
• Regulatory compliance and trust signals: Both meet merchant compliance needs, but Apple Pay’s privacy focus gives it an edge in trust-sensitive regions. Google Wallet excels in high-adoption emerging markets.

Which Wallet Should You Choose?

Choose Apple Pay If You:

• ‍Own an iPhone, Apple Watch, or Mac.
• Value seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem (e.g., passkeys, AI tracking, Safari checkout).
• Want tightly enforced biometric security and offline Express Mode for transit.
• Frequently use public transit in cities like London or Tokyo.
• Shop at U.S. retailers (85% accept Apple Pay).
• Prefer automatic loyalty cards and boarding pass syncing.
• Manage family devices and want parental controls.

Choose Google Wallet If You:

1. Use an Android phone or Wear OS smartwatch.
2. Prioritize privacy features like ZKP-based age checks.
3. Share tickets or files often via NFC and Bluetooth.
4. Shop online with Chrome and use virtual card numbers.
5. Live in or travel to Android-dominant regions (e.g., India, Brazil).
6. Want real-time transit updates and contextual pass alerts.
7. Use Family Link to manage child access and permissions.

How Chargeflow De-Risks Digital Payments

Chargeflow is the leading chargeback prevention and recovery solution for eCommerce businesses leveraging digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. The full-stack, AI-assisted platform helps merchants automatically recover false chargebacks. With Chargeflow, you can:

• Prevent chargeback fraud before it happens.
• Track and categorize disputes from perp to reason code.
• Excavate comprehensive insights for accurate dispute response.
• Monitor transaction trends to optimize payment strategy.

Chargeflow has consistently outperformed its counterparts, as illustrated in this case study published by Stripe! If you're looking to recover disputed transactions, whether initiated through Apple Pay or Google Wallet's flexible Android integration, Chargeflow is your ideal solution. It boosts your dispute win rate, enhances the user experience for customers, and frees up time to focus on core business operations.

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Surprising Trends Shaping Payments in 2025

• ‍Tap-to-Pay Boom: Digital wallet transactions are projected to grow 150% by 2028, with Apple Pay and Google Wallet leading U.S. POS adoption (52% by 2027).
• Digital IDs Take Off: Apple Pay and Google Wallet both support IDs, but Google's ZKP tech offers some privacy edge, while Apple's TSA integration appeals to travelers.
• Gen Z Drives Payment Adoption: 73.1% of Gen Z use Apple Pay weekly; Google Wallet trails but gains among younger Android users.
• India's Google Dominance: Google Wallet's 82% in-store share in India contrasts with Apple Pay's struggle against local giants like PhonePe.
• Chargeback Dispute by Autopilot: Merchants accepting digital payments, as well as financial institutions supporting payment flow, are shifting from manual dispute workflows to automated case management with Chargeflow, receiving impressive recoverability rates.
• Transit Integration: Apple Pay's 90% share in London's transport network outshines Google Wallet's growing but smaller transit presence.

By 2030, expect wallets to integrate with AR/VR payments, crypto, and IoT devices, with Apple and Google competing for ecosystem dominance.