Google Pay has updated its Passes API to enable healthcare organisations, government agencies and other authorised bodies to create digital Covid-19 vaccination and test result certificates that Android users can store and display directly on their mobile device even if they have not installed the Google Pay app.

“Once a user stores the digital version of the Covid Card to their device, they will be able to access it via a shortcut on their device home screen, even when they are offline or in areas that have weak internet service,” Google explains in a blog post.

“To use this feature, the device needs to run Android 5 or later and be Play Protect certified. Installing the Google Pay app is not a requirement to access Covid Cards.”

“The information in the user’s Covid Card is not shared by Google with its various services or third parties and it is not used for targeting ads,” the company adds.

“A lock screen is required in order to store a Covid Card on a device. This is for added security and to protect the user’s personal information.

“When a user wants to access their Covid Card, they will be asked for the password, PIN or biometric method set up for their Android device.”

Google is initially rolling out the service in the US, but says that it is also planning to launch the Covid Card in “other countries”.

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