Google rolled out support for a digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate card for the Pay app on Android devices, which can now store and display COVID-19 test and vaccination information.

The updated Passes API is available for government and healthcare providers or authorized third parties in the U.S. It gives developers the ability to create digital COVID-19 vaccine and test cards.

When a user wants to access their COVID Card, they will be asked for the password, pin or biometric method set up for their Android device. The device will require the lock screen in order to store the card.

The function will first be made available in the United States and will then be expanded to other countries, a Google Developers blog post written by Irfan Faizullabhoy stated.

“Once a user stores the digital version of the COVID Card to their device, they will be able to access it via a shortcut on their device home screen, even when they are offline or in areas that have weak internet service,” Faizullabhoy explained. “To use this feature, the device needs to run Android 5 or later and be Play Protect certified.”

The app is typically used for storing things like boarding passes and gift cards, although users do not need to have the Pay app in order to download and display vaccine and test information, the blog post noted.

A link to a separate page offers more information about the COVID Card and its privacy and security features, as well as instructions for adding shortcut icons to the home screen for easier access to the information.

The help center also notes that once people add the COVID Card to their device, it can be deleted at any time.

While the COVID-19 information is stored locally on the user’s device and vaccination or test information is not shard with other Google services or third parties, Google said it does use information about how the COVID Card is used – for example, how often the digital card is used daily.

Google also provides users with the option to share the COVID Card with others. To do this, users access their COVID Card on their device and show it to another person.

“When you allow another person to scan the QR code that’s displayed on your COVID Card, you allow them to read your COVID vaccination or test information that’s stored within the QR code,” the help center entry stated.

Google’s announcement comes as governments across the globe are developing and rolling out digital COVID certifications to ease travel for those who have been tested and vaccinated.

The "EU Digital COVID certificate (EUDCC)" as it is officially known, came into force July 1, and should be valid in 27 E.U. member states, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.