Android 15 supports selecting a new 'Default Wallet App'

Google released the first beta of Android 15, and with it, a new option to set the default wallet app.

Android has long had the ability to set system-wide default apps, but not every category is available yet. Over time, settings have added more options, such as the default assistant and, more recently, the default notes app. Now, in Android 15, Google adds the ability to set the default wallet app.

This feature, which is available by default in Android 15 beta 1, allows users to set the default app as their “wallet” app on the device. It is an app that handles NFC payments. On the Pixel, it's set to Google Wallet, and the only app that works on the system so far is the AMEX app, but it still doesn't do anything new (at least that we've noticed).

It seems reasonable to expect that in the future, other applications such as banking/credit card applications will retain this functionality. Google describes the “wallet app” as:

Wallet apps can store your credit and loyalty cards, car keys, and other things to help with a variety of transactions.

It is noteworthy that Apple is currently under heavy criticism for not allowing it Other Apps Used as Digital Wallets on iOS. While Android has never banned third-party apps from being used as a wallet app, this setting will make it easier for other apps to contribute.