Samsung blocks Google Wallet from Galaxy Z Flip 5's cover screen

Samsung is upsetting Google Wallet users.

Samsung formally debuted the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 at Unpacked following months of speculations and leaks. Existing Galaxy Z Flip 4 users are probably aware that you must unlock the phone in order to access your virtual wallet because the cover screen does not support the Google Wallet app. Now, it has been revealed that the recently updated Galaxy Z Flip 5 lacks this feature as well, according to a disclosure by 9to5Google senior editor Ben Schoon.

Schoon noticed that it appears as though the Google Wallet software won't launch on the Galaxy Z Flip 5's cover display. This isn't a typical restriction, as the Motorola Razr+, which makes use of a sizable cover screen, can operate Google Wallet without any problems, as noted in 9to5Google's follow-up post. Samsung Wallet is still fully functional on the exterior screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Schoon discovered that even though Google Wallet can be added to the Galaxy Z Flip 5's outside screen thanks to the Good Lock module, it will not open and would prompt users to "open phone to continue" instead.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5's new Flex Window AMOLED cover display measures 3.4 inches, a major improvement over the Galaxy Z Flip 4's 1.9-inch panel. It's not really unexpected that Samsung hasn't enabled compatibility with the new foldable as it hasn't historically supported Google Wallet on the Galaxy Z Flip series.

This precise restriction was discussed in a prior post on the Google Wallet support page. One user suggested utilizing a third-party app like Cover Launcher, which enables users to run whole apps on the cover screen of virtually any clamshell folding phone. Instead of using a native Samsung solution, consider CoverScreenOS as another strong substitute. In any case, the larger cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of its greatest selling factors, so this isn't good for the maker. Every program, including Google Wallet, was anticipated to be able to take advantage of the extra space on the new foldable device from the manufacturer. However, that hasn't happened yet.