Virtual card numbers are temporary or masked versions of your real card details. They help you pay online or in apps without exposing your actual card number.
Important: You can create a virtual card online or through your bank then use it for online or in-app transactions with Google Chrome autofill. This card is different from virtual cards you create on a device after you add a card to the Google Wallet app.
When you save a credit card in your Google Account, you may be able to turn on a virtual card. Virtual card numbers can be shared with merchants for online or in-app transactions to keep your actual card number info more secure.
Important: This feature is only available for select banks or networks in select countries or regions. For up-to-date availability information, check article Use virtual card numbers to pay online or in apps.
To use virtual card numbers in Google Chrome, you first need to add a supported payment card to your Google Account and enable virtual card features (availability depends on your bank and region).
Start by opening Chrome and going to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Payment methods. Add your card details if they are not already saved. If your card supports virtual numbers, Chrome will show an option to use a virtual card during checkout.
When you are paying on a website, select your saved card in the payment form. If virtual card support is available, Chrome will offer to generate a virtual card number instead of using your real one. This number is used for that transaction while keeping your actual card details hidden.
On mobile devices like Android and iPhone, virtual cards may also work through Chrome Autofill or your device’s payment system, depending on support from your bank and region.
Using virtual card numbers improves security. It reduces the risk of fraud because merchants do not see your real card number. If a virtual number is compromised, it can be limited or disabled without affecting your main card.
However, not all banks or regions support this feature yet. You may need to check with your card issuer or Google Pay availability in your country.
About virtual cards
A virtual card is a digital version of your actual card, with a randomly generated number that replaces your actual card number. Your virtual card is shared with the merchant when you pay online or in-app with Google Chrome autofill to help keep your actual card information safe.
You can check out faster when you pay online if you allow Google to fill out forms automatically in Chrome.
If you use autofill on Chrome, your bank can send a temporary code to your phone to verify your identity.
You can't use virtual cards on certain merchant sites or apps that opted out of accepting virtual cards.
Tip: The virtual card number, expiration date, and CVV can be different from your physical card. For safety, some card issuers change your virtual card number or CVV for different merchants or transactions. Learn how to find and manage your virtual card number.
Use a virtual card or turn it on or off
Turn on a virtual card at check out
When you make a purchase online in Chrome, you may be able to turn on a virtual card. If you check out with an eligible card:
- Not yet saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card before you complete your purchase.
- Already saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card after you complete your purchase.
If you turn on a virtual card, the next time you make a purchase, you can use the virtual card number to check out.
Turn on a virtual card in Google Chrome
- Open Chrome
.
- Go to chrome://settings/payments.
- At the top, make sure to turn on:
- Save and fill payment methods.
- Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved.
- Find the card that you save in your Google Account.
- If there are no cards, next to “Payment methods,” click Add.
- Follow the onscreen steps.
- Next to the card that you want a virtual card for, click More
Turn on virtual card.
- Only eligible cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
- On the next screen, read the Terms of Service.
- Click Yes.
Turn on a virtual card on the Google Wallet website
- Go to wallet.google.com.
- On the left, click Payment methods.
- Select a payment method.
- Click Turn on.
Only eligible cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
If you can’t turn on a virtual card
Try to turn on your card again. If it doesn't work, contact your bank to confirm that your card is in good standing and eligible to be a virtual card.
Make a purchase with your virtual card
You can use your virtual card when you shop online. When you check out on a website:
- Choose the virtual card from your payment method options.
- Let Chrome fill in the payment info automatically. You may be asked to verify your identity with a code, fingerprint, or other method.
- Check out as usual.
Tip: If Chrome doesn’t automatically fill out the form after you select your virtual card, enter your virtual card info manually. Learn how to find and manage your virtual card number.
- At the bottom of the screen, click View card.
- Copy and paste or enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV.
- Finish checking out.
In summary, virtual card numbers let you make safer online payments by masking your real card details, and Chrome can help generate and use them during checkout when supported.
