Android Pay is coming to the UK, Google’s first market in Europe, in coming months

Now signing up 1.5 million users each week in the U.S., Android Pay, Google’s payment platform and mobile wallet for Android devices and apps, is now coming to the UK, with dozens of partners including banks, physical retailers, apps and payment platforms in tow. Google is not giving an exact date for the launch except to note that it will be “in the next few months.” This is Google’s first market in Europe, and it looks like it’s the second outside of the U.S., after Google announced the launch of Android Pay in Australia in December.

For context, Apple Pay launched in the UK last year, and Samsung has said that its own-brand mobile wallet will be coming to the UK this year. People had been noticing hints of Android Pay’s imminent UK plans, but this is the first official confirmation from the company.

In a sense, considering that Apple made an earlier move to turn on Apple Pay here, and banks like Barclays have put in legwork to build their own mobile wallets and contactless payment apps, Google is somewhat late — or at least took its time bringing Android Pay to this market.

One of the reasons may have been that it was trying to get a sufficient number of partners on board to come in with a splash. Today, that seems to be what it has in its announcement.

Included are eight big banks — but not all of them, with some of the biggies left out including Barclays and TSB. Google’s Pali Bhat, a product management senior director at Android Pay, says more banks are still getting added.

As for retailers, the launch list includes 11 brands, including drugstore chain Boots, Costa Coffee, Waitrose and Starbucks, as well as the London transport network.

Android Pay late last year also started integrating with apps, so some of the biggies that were already working with Google on this are now extending support to the UK, along with some new additions. They include food delivery startup Deliveroo (which is the UK’s answer to Postmates), fast fashion chain Zara and JD Sports.

Similarly, there are a number of payment providers also working with Google, including Holland’s Adyen, Klarna, and Stripe. Last year, when Android Pay was made public, payment giants like Visa Europe weighed in with their support.

Google also announced that it would be adding more retailers and apps to Android Pay in the U.S. extending the service to “millions” of new locations. New additions include Best Buy, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and Rubio’s in addition to Eat24, Eventbrite, and Ticketmaster. It’s also starting a loyalty program with Plenti to make it easier for you to earn loyalty points and redeem rewards through your Android phone at their participating retailers.