Google Wallet Hack Brings Support for Verizon Galaxy S III

While Google Wallet support for the Verizon Galaxy S III remains unofficial, a hack has made the service available to those that wish to use it on the device.

Mike Beauchamp and Dustin Evans have, according to Engadget, successfully gotten Google Wallet up and running on the Verizon version of the Galaxy S III, a version of the Galaxy S III that is not officially compatible with Google’s mobile payment service.

With a bit of rooting and some tweaking, owners of the Galaxy S III can successfully get Google Wallet to work. XDA-Forums and Evans have both provided instructions on how to get Google Wallet working with Verizon’s version of the Galaxy S III though they will only appeal to those with some skills in customizing an Android phone.

Novice users might want to avoid the hack as there is always a chance something could go wrong with the device.

Verizon has blocked Google Wallet from functioning on its devices because it has its own mobile payment service on the way, a service called ISIS.

ISIS is rumored to be launching on August 20th for T-Mobile though nothing has been confirmed and release dates remain uncertain for AT&T and Verizon.

Near Field Communications, or NFC, allows smartphone users with chips embedded to tap their phone on a payment terminal to pay for goods and services.

Many Android phones employ NFC chips, though phones like the Verizon Galaxy S III are unable to take advantage due to carrier restrictions.