Google to bring Android Pay to UK; banks, retailers in tow

Google has announced that it will bring Android Pay to the UK in the next few months. The search giant didn't specify the release date of its payment platform and mobile wallet, but said that it will partner with banks, retailers, apps and others to make payment on android smartphones easy.

"We're bringing together payment networks, banks and retailers to help you pay simply and securely," reads a statement on android official blog. It added that Android Pay will support MasterCard as well as Visa credit and debit cards from many banks, including Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society. 

Android smartphone owners can use Android Pay for contactless payments, and retailers that are in the list, include Boots, Costa Coffee, KFC, Greggs, Starbucks, Waitrose. The mobile wallet will also support several apps, including JD Sports, Deliveroo, Zara, Kickstarter, Fancy  and YPlan.

Apple Pay was launched in the UK last year and Samsung Pay is scheduled to come later this year, but Android Pay's entry is going to be a huge step forward for Google as the country has substantial number of Android phone users, perhaps amounting to more than half the total number of devices used in the country. It also has wide contactless terminals, making it a favourable place for payment platform to target.

Google first launched its mobile wallet in the United States in September 2015 and it is growing steadily with 1.5 million new registrations happening each month. In December last year, the search giant announced its launch in Australia but it is yet to be seen in reality.