The application consistently prompted users for their smartwatch’s PIN or pattern.
An issue impacting Google Wallet led to ongoing authentication requests for Wear OS users. Over a week after initially recognizing the issue, Google confirmed the bug has been rectified. Wear OS users are now able to proceed with Wallet payments without needing to authenticate their purchase if their device is unlocked and worn on the wrist.
A modification in how Google Wallet processes contactless payments on Android devices may have resulted in an annoying bug for Wear OS users, but this has now been addressed. In a community announcement on Thursday, May 29, a Google representative stated that the problem causing Wear OS gadgets to incessantly request PIN/pattern verification has been resolved (via 9to5Google).
Users can now execute Wallet transactions without the need to validate their purchase every time. Once the smartwatch is unlocked and worn properly, Google Wallet contactless payments can be completed swiftly and effortlessly without entering a PIN or pattern.
The updated community announcement clarifies that a number of Wear OS users were “required to re-enter their PIN/password on their smartwatch during in-store transactions.” The company recognized the problem on May 20, and more than a week later, the resolution has been rolled out.
At first, it was uncertain whether this issue represented a behavioral change coinciding with modifications made to Google Wallet’s operation on Android. For smartphones, Google Wallet is now required to be unlocked with a passcode or biometric authentication for the application to be accessed. While the timing of the Wear OS bug’s emergence seemed to connect with this change, it turned out to be an error after all.
Not all Wear OS users experienced this issue, so if you have not encountered persistent authentication prompts, you may continue to use Google Wallet as usual. Nevertheless, the problem appeared to be quite common, as over 360 users reported encountering the same issue on the community post — and those figures only represent what we are aware of.
To obtain the fix, ensure your Google Wallet application is updated to version 25.17 on your Wear OS smartwatch. It remains uncertain whether the patch requires a server-side modification or if it necessitates an application update.
