Google Is Building Support For Digital COVID Vaccine Cards Into Android

Google is allowing Android users to store a digital immunization card, known as a COVID Card, on their phone using Android’s built-in passes system. In the beginning, the functionality will only be available in the United States, and it will rely on support from healthcare professionals, local governments, and other organizations that are authorized to dispense COVID vaccines. COVID test results will also be stored using this capability.

According to a Google support page, your COVID Card will include information on when you were vaccinated and the vaccine you received. Your healthcare provider’s app or website, as well as messages or emails sent to you, can all be used to store the card.

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When you store your card to your smartphone, Google advises that you add a shortcut to it on your home screen, and it will prompt you to do so. Google claims that the card will not be saved in the cloud and that the information you provide will not be used for advertising purposes, although it does admit that it will gather some data, such as how many times you use your card and on which days. And you won’t have to have the Google Pay app downloaded to save and access cards.

Some jurisdictions, such as New York and California, have their own digital immunization cards in place, but Google’s version might make the procedure easier for other authorities.