ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google Pockets can do far more now than retailer playing cards.
- The app gained a number of main options in 2026.
- You can provide your baby their allowance, undergo TSA, and extra.
Most individuals know by now that Google Pockets can do issues in addition to retailer your bank cards, however you may need missed that Google has added lots to its digital pockets app in simply the previous few months.
Along with a large dwelling display screen and interface redesign, Google launched a number of vital options in 2026 that make the app far more helpful (it’s even reportedly coming to iOS quickly, in keeping with Android Authority).
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I’ve began utilizing Google Pockets increasingly more not too long ago, and I’m constantly stunned after I discover new methods to keep away from reaching for my actual pockets. Right here’s a take a look at my favourite additions this yr.
1. Preserve an eye fixed out for orders
There’s no scarcity of the way to simply monitor your incoming packages, however now there’s another. In June, Google rolled out the flexibility to view your on-line orders and monitor your packages in Pockets.
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You will have to have package deal monitoring enabled in Gmail, however after you have that on, you possibly can see your detailed receipts, monitoring numbers, and transport standing contained in the Pockets app.
2. Breeze by way of airport safety
In June of this yr, Google introduced a partnership with the Transportation Safety Administration that made Pockets the primary digital pockets suitable with the PreCheck Touchless ID program. Which means at 65 US airports, you possibly can present your cellphone as a substitute of your bodily ID if in case you have TSA PreCheck.
Right here’s the way it works: While you look into the digital camera on the TSA checkpoint, the system compares the dwell picture to your saved digital ID. You will have to arrange your ID go and save your boarding go to Pockets, however after you have that able to go, you’ll be by way of airport safety extra rapidly than ever.
3. Give your youngsters cash securely
August 2026 noticed the rollout of a brand new allowance function for Google Pockets that allows you to ship cash to a baby’s account — both regularly or each time wanted. Your baby can then use their cellphone to faucet to pay.
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This can be a implausible choice should you don’t need your baby to hold a bodily card or money that they could lose, and it has the safety of not having the ability to be used on-line in any respect. I attempted this with my son, and this technique was by far his favourite over a card.
4. Add your driver’s license
This function isn’t new, however extra states have been added in 2026. Residents in 11 states can now add their official state driver’s license or ID card to Google Pockets: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Ohio.
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A number of extra states, together with North Carolina, are including the aptitude as early as spring 2027. Including your ID to Google Pockets isn’t a whole substitute on your bodily card, however you should use the digital model for age verification at taking part retailers and inside choose apps.
5. Switch your transit card by way of NFC
Customers have been ready so as to add transit playing cards to Google Pockets for a while now, however a September replace to the app added the flexibility to switch bodily transit playing cards (and their balances) to your Pockets through NFC. Earlier than, you needed to manually kind all the data to switch a card.
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