The key facts

  • Starting October 27, Google Pay is available in Uzbekistan on Android and Wear OS devices with NFC
  • Google Wallet supports cards from nine banks: AVO Bank, Octobank, Uzum Bank, TBC Bank, Alokabank, Kapitalbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, NBU, and Orient Finans Bank
  • Payment goes through a linked bank card; there is no separate balance in Google Pay

The service went live on October 27

Starting October 27, Android and Wear OS users in Uzbekistan can use Google Wallet — the app through which Google Pay payments work. The service allows paying online, in mobile apps, and at compatible contactless terminals. Kun.uz reported this.

How payment works

The scheme is standard: the user links a bank card to Google Wallet, verifies their identity, and holds the phone near a contactless terminal — the device exchanges data with the terminal via NFC technology. Importantly, money is not deducted from a separate balance inside Google Pay, but directly from the linked bank card: it must have sufficient funds, and the bank must confirm the transaction.

Not all banks are supported yet

A key limitation: not just any card from Uzbek banks can be linked to Google Pay — each bank supports the service for its own cards separately. At launch, Google Wallet works with cards from nine banks: AVO Bank (Mastercard), Octobank (Visa and Mastercard), Uzum Bank (Visa), TBC Bank (Visa and Mastercard), Alokabank (Visa and Mastercard), Kapitalbank (Visa and Mastercard), Ipak Yuli Bank (Visa and Mastercard), NBU (Visa and Mastercard), and Orient Finans Bank (Visa and Mastercard). Thus, customers of other banks, as well as holders of cards from other payment systems, will have to wait for their banks to be connected. To pay in stores, you need an Android or Wear OS device with NFC and the Google Wallet app installed.