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How To Send Money In Gmail On Android
by Lily Feinn
Westend61/Westend61/Getty Images

It can be difficult to choose from all the third-party payment apps that help send money securely using your mobile device, but as of March 14, Android users can save that space on their phone by using their Gmail app to transfer funds. If you're wondering how to send money in Gmail on Android, I have good news: This new feature is a fast, easy, and, most importantly, a secure way to send and receive money on the go. There are no fees for either the sender or the receiver, and no additional apps to download. To get started, all you need is access to your Gmail on your Android device, the recipient's email address, and a U.S. bank account or debit card.

As TechCrunch points out, Google Wallet users have been able to send and receive payments over Gmail on the web since 2013; however, this is the payment feature's debut on mobile platforms. While the mobile version of the feature is currently only available on Android, recipients of payments do not have to be signed up with Google Wallet or even have a Gmail address to access the cash. Non-Android users being paid through the new feature will receive a link to the Wallet website where they can transfer the funds to their bank account. So far the feature is only available in the United States and requires a U.S. bank account or debit card to be linked to your Google Wallet to work.

To learn more about how to use the new mobile payment feature, check out Google's announcement on their blog. Here's how to get started using the popular email's money transfer feature, and make splitting that dinner bill as easy as a few taps:

1

Update Your Gmail App

This new mobile feature started rolling out on March 14, so you will want to make sure that your Gmail app is up-to-date on Android. Simply head over to the Google Play Store, view recent updates, and make sure that you are running the latest version of the Gmail app.

2

Start An Email To The Recipient

After you have completed the update, open the Gmail app, and start drafting an email to the person that you wish to send money. Enter their email address, a subject, and you don't have to even write anything in the body of the email if you so choose.

3

Add An Attachment

Once you are happy with your email and ready to allocate the funds, tap on the attachment icon (the one that looks like a paper clip) in the upper right-hand corner of your email and a dropdown menu will appear. Select the new "Send money" option, which will be located underneath "Insert from Drive."

4

Select The Amount You Wish To Send

Tapping the "Send Money" option will bring up your Google Wallet attached to your gmail account. You will be able to both receive and request payment from the email without having to go through another payment app. Simply type in the amount on the payment screen, double check that the bank account or debit card on file listed below is the one you would like to use, and tap continue.

5

Add A Memo

Once you confirm your payment amount, Google will prompt you to add an optional memo (like Venmo does). You can add emoji, or say what the money is specifically (for like "rent" or "movie date"). Tap the "Done" button when you've completed writing your memo, and it will attach the complete payment to your email just like a picture or document.

6

Tap Send!

Once you hit the "Send" arrow, your email with the payment is transferred securely to the recipient. Just like with photos or files, it's free to send and receive money, and the recipient can access the payment and transfer it to their bank account without a Gmail address or Android device. All they have to do is open the email and click the "Claim Money" option on the attachment. They can set an account for automatic transfer or enter in wherever they wish to send the payment. There is no delay in processing — so the money will go directly to your bank account. It's as easy as a few taps!