So you’re stuck at home with some extra time on your hands. When you feel like taking a break from all the shows you’ve been watching, perhaps you can make time to figure out how to transition to cashless payments.
We’re dealing with a unique situation right now and cashless transactions is one of the little ways in which we can help with social distancing measures. Not to mention, it’s also pretty convenient.
If you already have a bank account, chances are you’re already using that bank’s mobile app. If not, we encourage you to do so. But we’re not going deep into that. Today, we’re looking at other payment services that will help you go cashless.
GCash
We partnered with GCash a while back for this quick How-To video. But if you don’t feel like watching, the text comes right after.
Before anything else download the app on the App Store, Google Play, or AppGallery.
Step 1. Open the GCash app and enter your mobile number. Tap “Next” to proceed.
Step 2. Fill in the mandatory information. These include your First Name, Last Name, Birthday, Address, Email Address. When you’re done, tap “Next” to proceed
Step 3. Review your information. Gotta make sure everything’s accurate and matches any official ID you have with you. If you have a referral code, input it using the drop down below your information. Afterwards, tap “Next”.
Step 4. Set your Mobile Pin by inputting a 4 digit MPIN. It’s very important that you can easily remember your MPIN. It serves as your password to access your GCash account. You also need it for your future GCash transactions. So yeah, don’t use your birthday or any birthdays of anyone you’re super close with. Protect your MPIN like your life depended on it. Tap “Submit” to move on.
Step 5. You will receive a 6-digit authentication code via SMS in the device authentication page. Enter the code to authenticate your device.
Step 6. Enter your 4-digit GCash MPIN and click ‘Log In’ to enter the app.
Congratulations! You’re now on GCash. There’s a ton that you can do here. This is where I connected my bank account so I’ve been using GCash to move money around my other accounts, transfer money to my family and friends, load up my prepaid sim, and of course the usual in-store transactions. You can also link it to your Lazada account for your online shopping needs.
For more information, visit the GCash Help Center.
PayMaya
PayMaya is very similar to GCash in that they practically let you do the same things. As mentioned earlier, these are making cashless payments, transferring funds, as well as online shopping. Personally, this is the account I used for most of my app subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, and NBA League Pass.
Again, make sure you have the app. Get it on the App Store, Google Play, or AppGallery.
Step1: Register with your name, email and mobile number. The mobile number can be with any network you’re currently using.
Step 2: Create a password. Unlike GCash which uses an MPIN, the PayMaya password is a lot more like the usual passwords you use for your social media accounts. Again, make sure it’s secure and something easy for you to remember.
Step 3: Receive a verification SMS. Enter this verification number on the app.
Step 4: Click the VIEW CARD button.
Step 5: Input your address and birthday.
Step 6: Receive a confirmation that your account has been activated
PayMaya also has these cashback promos every now and then. That means anything you purchase, a percentage of that goes back to your account. Here’s a quick little video on that.
To find how you can maximize PayMaya just head on over to their Support Page.
GrabPay
Grab has surprisingly expanded its GrabPay services to more than just hailing rides, deliveries, and paying for GrabFood.
You can now also do the following:
- Cashless payment for Grab services (GrabCar, GrabFood, GrabExpress, GrabMart)
- Buy prepaid load
- Pay bills (Cablielink, Cignal TV, Destiny Cable, DFA, Easytrip, Globe, Manila Water, Maynilad, Meralco, Metro Cebu Water, MMDA, NBI, Pag-IBIG Fund, PLDT, Sky Cable, Smart, Smart Bro, SSS, Sun Celular, UNICEF, VECO)
- Pay in-store
- Pay online
- Send money for free (person-to-person and bank transfer)
Registering is pretty straightforward. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play, and then register using your phone number, Facebook account, or Google account.
For more on what else you can do with GrabPay and how they’re expanding, you may visit their Help Page.
You can also use these services to donate towards efforts in fighting COVID-19. For other ways to help check out our Where To Donate article.
Google is slightly moving away from Material Design. Last week, a set of icon changes saw Android adding splashes of gradients to its formerly flat app icons. To poke fun at Android’s move away from flat designs, a user on X created a mockup of Android running Apple’s Liquid Design. Google, however, had a response ready in the chamber.
On X, @Micetor made a mockup of Android, specifically on the upcoming Pixel 11, using Apple’s latest Liquid Design aesthetics. It looked much like what an iPhone does except with Google’s icons and fonts.
Clearly, Google does not need to reply to any unsubstantiated mockups about its ecosystem. But they still did.
Sameer Samat, Google’s head for the Android ecosystem, personally replied to the mockup with a simple rebuttal: “Not happening!”
Not happening! Y'all are wild. 😂
— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 5, 2026
Despite using the design language for over a decade, Google does not want to drop Material Design altogether. Though the new gradients have revitalized the design language somewhat, the essence of flat design is still there.
Apple, on the other hand, wants a return to 3D. Liquid Design mimics the transparent aesthetics of Windows Vista. Though a bunch of users have found the design polarizing, other brands have started copying the design for themselves, incorporating elements on Liquid Design on their interfaces.
Whatever Google is doing, it’s coming in due time. The company is hosting its annual Google I/O on May 12 to showcase new developments coming to the Android ecosystem, including its design.
SEE ALSO: More iPhone switchers this year than Android switchers, report says
Apps
iOS 26.5 will support end-to-end encryption RCS messaging
The final update should come out within the month.
Back in 2023, Apple finally adopted the RCS messaging standard, ensuring that iOS and Android users could communicate more seamlessly despite being on different platforms. This year, the platform is adding an improvement to the feature: end-to-end encryption.
Starting with the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will now support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iOS and Android users (via 9to5Mac). Besides the seamless communication, users on both platforms can start enjoying secure messaging with one another.
Apple has been testing the feature since February. Now, the company is confident enough to release the encryption technology in a new build for iOS 26.5 meant for developers. At this point, it’s just waiting for an actual release.
Why is this a big deal? Encryption adds an extra layer of security for your messages. Plus, end-to-end encryption means that messages is encrypted and decrypted only by the sender and the receiver. Third parties, which includes Apple, cannot intercept and access your information.
With the feature on, both messaging platforms on Android and iOS will show a lock icon to signify that, yes, your messages are encrypted.
Though the current build isn’t meant for end users just yet, it’s expected that iOS 26.5 will launch within the month, if not by next week.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review
Apps
YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally
The update is rolling out globally now.
Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.
Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.
Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.
There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.
Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.
There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.
SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing
-
Singapore1 week agovivo Y Series launches in Singapore with bigger battery, durability upgrades
-
Automotive2 weeks agoThe VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers
-
Gaming1 week agoPRAGMATA is not for the faint of heart
-
Features2 weeks agoA Galaxy summer to remember
-
Laptops6 days agoSpotlight: ASUS Zenbook A16
-
Gaming1 week agoStar Wars: Galactic Racer launches October 6
-
Gaming6 days agoStranger Than Heaven is a Yakuza prequel with Snoop Dogg
-
News6 days agoiPhone 17 is the best-selling phone of 2026 so far
