With an update in its Passes API, Google is making it possible to store digital versions of either COVID-19 test results or vaccination cards on users’ Android devices. The update in their Passes API will enable developers at healthcare organizations, Government agencies and other organizations authorized by the public health authorities to create digital versions of tests and vaccination cards that can then be saved directly to the users’ device. The Passes API is normally used to store things like boarding passes, loyalty cards, gift cards, tickets and more to users’ Google Pay wallet.
It was reported on Techcrunch.com, that Google has confirmed that Google pay app is not required to store the digital card. Users without the Google pay app will have the option to store the digital version of the COVID card directly to their devices where it is accessible from a home screen short cut.
Google will not be storing a copy of the card, hence anyone who needs to view or store it on multiple devices will need to download it individually on each one from the heath care provider or other organizations’ app.
The cards display the healthcare provider or organization’s logo and branding at the top, followed by the person’s name, date of birth and other relevant information, like the vaccine manufacturer or date of shot or test. According to a support document, healthcare providers or organizations could alert users to the ability to download their card via email, text, or through a mobile website or app.
As reported by Techcrunch.com, upon reaching for a comment on which healthcare providers are interested in or planning to adopt the new technology, Google avoided names but promised there are some other big partners and states in the pipeline, and that they do have permission to share those names at this time. They also stated that over the next few weeks these companies shall be revealed.
Googles aim is to give developers the ability to begin building tools to export the data they have in their own systems about people’s COVID tests and vaccinations to a local digital card on Android devices. To what extent these digital cards will become broadly available to end users will depend on developer adoption. This means that upon update of the Passes API , Android users will not be immediately be able to whip up a digital version of their COVID vaccination cards!
The Android device needs to run Android 5 or later for the feature to work and it will need to be Play Protect certified, which is a licensing program that ensures the device is running real Google apps. Users will also need to set a lock screen on their device for additional security.
Google says the update will initially roll out in the U.S., followed by other countries.
Google’s digital vaccination card will represent a digital copy of a paper card. It’s not tied to any government initiatives nor is it a “vaccine passport.” Google simply enabled updated user to leave behind taking screen shots of the card and in some cases even laminating it.