Hajra Naz
Physical Receipt Scanning with Google Wallet Google Wallet now has a feature that uses Android devices’ cameras to scan receipts. This is made possible with the Google Play Services update to version 26.40.
Users no longer have to manually enter data from offline transactions. The system automatically captures total purchase amounts, an itemized list of purchases, taxes, discounts, and timestamps.
All scanned receipts are searchable.
Bridging the Offline Payment Gap
Before this update, Google Wallet had no way of capturing cash, bank, or other offline payment transactions. Merchants who only accept cash and/or are paper-only merchants were also not captured by Google Wallet.
Before this update, users had no other option but to type in transactions manually. Scanning eliminates this administrative burden.
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Using the Scanner
Google places this option in a general menu category. Users open Google Wallet and tap the plus sign to access this option. From there, users can select “Everything else” to launch the scanner. Users can also access the scanner by taking a picture of a paper receipt. Older, saved receipt images can also be scanned.
Wallet allows you to preview the data it extracts before saving the transaction.
Current Issues
The tool uses some of the same code as Wallet’s general document scanner. As a result, complex invoices sometimes cause classification issues.
The system sometimes mistakes complex documents for digital passes instead of financial transactions. Simple receipts with clear typography tend to yield the best extraction results.
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Integration with the Ecosystem and Possible Future
Physical scanning, combined with Wallet’s current feature to automatically scan and digitally pull receipts and tracking numbers from users’ emails, further enhances the automation of Wallet’s spending ledger.
Play Services and device updates dictate the schedule for a wide rollout.
In the near future, Google’s merchant APIs announced at Google I/O will enable merchants to digitally send receipts, further reducing the need for camera scanning.
