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How to get a refund on Google Play Store purchases

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© nextpit by Irina Efremova

Sometimes, purchasing from the Play Store isn’t a happy experience. The app isn’t what it claimed to be, or the music is just rubbish. But if you want a refund, you need to act fast. Here’s how to return paid apps, games or media purchased in Google Play.

The process for a refund can differ depending on the kind of purchase that was made. Jump ahead to the section relevant to you.

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Know your statutory rights

In law, paid-for goods are generally covered by some basic principles: if they’re faulty or misdescribed, you should be given a repair, a replacement or a refund. It’s important to note that when consumer legislation talks about “satisfactory quality” they mean technical quality, not artistic: “this song doesn’t play” should trigger a refund, but “this song sounds like a bunch of drunks shouting into a bucket” doesn’t - unless the item wasn’t labeled properly and you thought you were getting the new Taylor Swift single.

With Google, the rights you have depend on what you’re buying and in some cases, what country you live in. 

If you live in the EU, some purchases are subject to different rules: 

  • If you buy digital content such as in-app items, apps, games, music, or movies on Google Play, you waive an automatic statutory right of withdrawal and our standard refund rules apply. 
  • If you buy a service from a developer or another third party, even if you buy it on Google Play, contact the seller to withdraw and get a refund.
androidpit new play store 2019
Free apps don't qualify for consumer protection unless they kill your pets or damage your device. / © NextPit

How to return paid apps and games or in-app purchases

Google’s Android App return policy is simple: if you buy an Android app or game and you aren’t happy with it for any reason, you can return it within two hours for a full refund. After that two hour period is up, though, you have a 48-hour window during which a refund request can be processed by Google. After that, it’s up to the app developer to decide whether or not you should get your money back.

For in-app purchases, while it's not easy to get a refund without the approval of the developer, you can try via the same process as with the 48-hour window.

To claim a refund within two hours of purchase:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap on the Menu icon and choose Order History.
  3. Select the app or game you want to return.
  4. Tap on Report a problem and select a problem from the drop-down menu.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to get your money back and uninstall the app or game.

If the two hour period has already passed you won’t see a refund button; it will say Uninstall instead.

To claim a refund within 48 hours of purchase:

  1. Open a web browser and go here.
  2. Scroll down to "Order History" and find the order you want to return.
  3. To the right of the order, click More.
  4. Select Request a refund.
  5. Complete the form and note that you would like a refund.

How to contact an app or game developer for a refund

On your mobile device:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Search for the app whose developer you want to contact.
  3. Tap on the app.
  4. Tap on Read More.
  5. Hope that the contact information isn’t “M. Mouse, Disneyland”.

How to get a refund on an ebook

Google Play generally gives you a 7-day return period on books (30 days on educational titles through Google Play for Education) but there are some exceptions, such as books that were only available for a very short period of time. To make a refund request, you need to contact Google Play Customer Support.

How to get a refund on a Google Play movie purchase

If the video clip is defective, you can get a refund at any time within 65 days - but if you’ve simply decided that Killer Klowns from Outer Space isn’t really the movie for you, you’ve got only 7 days. That period only applies if you haven’t started watching the movie: if you get three minutes in and think “this is rubbish!” that’s your tough luck. The same rules apply to TV shows.

hero store combined
Refund rights on movies and music differ from country to country. / © Google

How to get a refund on a Google Play Music purchase

Once again, Google will happily refund your purchase if you haven’t streamed or downloaded it; as soon as you do either of those things Google will only consider a refund if the track is technically, not artistically, inadequate. You’ve got 7 days to request a refund, or 14 if you live in the European Union. To request a refund:

  1. Using a web browser, go into your Play Store account.
  2. Look for Order History and find the item you want to request a refund for.
  3. Click on the menu icon.
  4. Select Report A Problem.
  5. Select I’d Like To Request a Refund.

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can contact the support team instead.

Have you tried to get a refund and been refused? What did you do? Let us know in the comments!

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David McCourt

David McCourt
Editor

David enjoys staying abreast of the latest technology and newest Android apps. Outside of the office, he can be found playing snooker and writing bad 00s indie songs.

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62 comments
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  • 1
    Mohammed Munir Jun 1, 2021 Link to comment

    Refund me


  • 1
    Koshlender Singh Mar 18, 2020 Link to comment

    I have transfer Rs. 5000/- by mistek to google play. Kindly the that amount. Pls call on 8810440229. I have raise same query to other links also. But i did't get any response.


    • marco sarli 39
      marco sarli
      • Admin
      Mar 18, 2020 Link to comment

      And you will never get any response. Read the article


  • 1
    MC26 Mar 13, 2020 Link to comment

    A developer dosent care for them constumers
    You purchase packs on game and you don't recieve anything then you ask refund or resend items... Answer (sorry we can't process your refund) What is going on must be something where you can claim all purchase and get rid of the game
    Anyone know how to do it?


  • 3
    Support Feb 20, 2020 Link to comment

    Google pay/play transaction failed amount ANY problem complaint contact customer care number 9002223308 // 6294203577 thanks you for any problem solve Me refund money all India 24x7 hours available complain
    Any offer

    Deactivated AccountDeactivated Account


  • 3
    Support Feb 20, 2020 Link to comment

    Google pay transaction failed amount ANY problem complaint contact customer care number 9002223308 // 6294203577 thanks you for any problem solve Me refund money all India 24x7 hours available complain
    Any offer

    Deactivated AccountDeactivated Account


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Jan 8, 2020 Link to comment

    and for the people asking for refunds on this forum and without even reading the article : you are just paying a tax on stupidity


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Jan 8, 2020 Link to comment

    I never buy anything but good to know


  • 1
    Siva kumari Dec 18, 2019 Link to comment

    I made payment on google pay it was failed Rs 2000 karur vysya bank kindly refund my amount


  • 2
    Virginia Dec 17, 2019 Link to comment

    I am paying £42 a month for a service that I didn't even know had been set up. Cancel it and refund me immediately please.


  • 2
    Virginia Dec 17, 2019 Link to comment

    I have had £42 collected since May, which needs to be refunded, what was this even for? A big rip off taking place.


  • 1
    NILESH WAGH Dec 17, 2019 Link to comment

    Sir refund my amount dobara payment ho gaya sir Rs 15500


  • 1
    Pallve Dec 6, 2019 Link to comment

    Sir plese rfund my money.


    • 1
      Lalsang RATHOD Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

      Sir my 2000 rupees debit but not credit


  • 1
    calvindavidson4@gmail.com Dec 1, 2019 Link to comment

    I am paying twice a month for one subscription to youtube tv. I want a refund. calvindavidson4@gmail.com 251-777-8638 Calvin Davidson 710 Nerene Baxter Road Vinegar Bend, AL 36584


  • 1
    Hasib Nov 24, 2019 Link to comment

    I need refund mony


    • 1
      Linda Ice Dec 10, 2019 Link to comment

      My Google play 🎁 card didn't work . Am I out a$100?


  • 1
    Yogesh Kumawat Nov 22, 2019 Link to comment

    5000 rs transaction done by phonepe plz refund my money


  • 1
    gilbreathrashi540@gmail.com Nov 1, 2019 Link to comment

    I made a payment on google play store for the game Designer home and was $20 dollars for gems I would like a refund because it was a mistake so can u please put the money back on my card for this purchase please my name is Rashi Gilbreath my email is gilbreathrashi540@gmail.com thanks


  • 1
    Rebecca208 Oct 18, 2019 Link to comment

    Am I Just S.O.L.??
    After a Security/System update on
    my 8 yr old son's device
    (unbeknownst to me at the time), it
    "defaulted" and/or reset some of
    the settings??!! This on turn
    allowed my son to make purchase
    of $52.91 on my PayPal account
    for a game on Google-Play
    WITHOUT my consent??!! He's 8yrs
    old, he THOUGHT he was
    downloading Free Games as
    usual?!!

    I've contacted the developer
    numerous times with no return
    reply?? I explained ALL of this to GooglePlay... Their response:. "My situation does NOT meet their refund policy guidelines"!! PayPal, basically told me the SAME THING,
    "It's not covered in their policy"??!!

    I simply can not afford to just let
    $52.91😕 go, LITERALLY!! Is there
    anything else I can do??

    Rebecca

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