Google Play: How to add and manage payment methods
Updated: 02/11/2023
Google Play is a digital marketplace run by Google to support Android devices. This online service is where Android users can find and download apps, games, films, and various other types of media. Over two million apps and games are available on the platform, which generates over $120 billion for app developers.
In 2021, there were over 140 billion downloads from Google Play and 2.5 billion monthly users. The digital service can be accessed on computers and via smart devices like mobile phones and tablets.
Some apps cost a small fee to download, whilst others are free. You may find apps that are free to download from Google Play have upgrade options within the app, such as YouTube Premium. Google Play lists each app’s cost and whether they have in-app purchases.
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What payment methods does Google Play accept?
You can use various payment methods to buy apps from Google Play. Your preferred payment method will be added to your Google Account for future use.
Google Play accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit and debit cards (including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express)
- Paypal
- Prepaid cards
- Google Play giftcards
Google Play doesn’t accept the following payment methods:
- Bank transfer
- Virtual credit cards
- Western Union
- Transport cards
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- MoneyGram
Adding a Payment Method on Google Play
To add a payment method on Google Play, follow these simple steps:
Android
Step 1: Open Google Play Store
Tap the Google Play Store icon on your Android device’s home screen to open it.
Step 2: Go to Payment Methods
Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen, and then select “Payment methods” from the menu that appears.
Step 3: Add a Payment Method
Tap on “Add a payment method” and select the type of payment method you want to add, such as credit or debit card, prepaid card, or Google Play balance. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your payment information and save it to your account.
Computer
Step 1: Open Google Play Store
Visit play.google.com and click on your profile icon in the top right.
Step 2: Go to Payment Methods
Click on “Payments and subscriptions” followed by “Payment methods” on the menu.
Step 3: Add a Payment Method
Select “Add a payment method” and follow the on-screen instructions. The payment method you choose will be added to your Google Account.
Managing Payment Methods on Google Play
Once you’ve added a payment method on Google Play, you can edit or remove it by following these steps:
Android
Step 1: Go to Payment Methods
Open the Google Play app on your Android device. Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, and select “Payment and subscriptions” from the menu that appears. Tap “Payment methods” from the next menu.
Step 2: Select a Payment Method
Select the payment method you want to manage from the list of options available, such as your credit or debit card, prepaid card or Google Play balance.
Step 3: Edit or Remove the Payment Method
To edit the payment method, tap the pencil icon next to it, and make the necessary changes. To remove the payment method, tap the trash can icon next to it, and confirm that you want to delete it.
Computer
Step 1: Go to Payment Methods
Visit play.google.com and click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
Step 2: Select a Payment Method
Click on “Payments and subscriptions” and then “Payment methods”.
Step 3: Edit or Remove the Payment Method
Click on “Edit payment methods” and the pencil icon next to it. Select the payment method you want to edit and make the necessary changes. You can also select “Remove” to delete the payment method from your Google Account.
How can I change payment method when making a purchase on Google Play?
You can change your payment method when you purchase a product. You’ll need to select the app you want to buy and go to the product page. Next, tap the arrow under the app’s name and select “Payment methods”. You can select an existing payment method or select the option to add a new payment method.
You can complete your purchase after selecting the payment method you want to use. If you add a new payment method, the details will be saved to your Google Account and available for future use.
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How do I get a refund from Google Play?
You can request a refund from Google Play if someone fraudulently used your account, you accidentally made a purchase, or you think you were missold a product. Since 28 March 2018, the refund policies differ slightly for the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK compared to other countries.
Google offers refunds to customers who buy faulty products or apps that don’t match their product description. You may also be able to request a refund if a friend or family member made a purchase using your account. You’ll need to report unauthorised purchases within 120 days to be eligible for a refund.
You can contact the app developer directly or request a refund through the Google Play website. If you request a refund directly through the Google Play website, the time it takes to process will depend on your payment method and your operator. The refund will be paid via the payment method you used to make the original purchase.
Below is an overview of the usual timeframes:
- Credit/debit card: 3-5 working days
- Prepaid card: 1-30 working days
- Google Play balance: 1 working day
- Online banking: 1-10 working days
- Paypal: 3-5 working days
Use a prepaid card for Google Play
Prepaid cards are a popular alternative to debit, credit and other payment methods. You can decide what funds to add to your card, which can help you budget your spending on Google Play. Unlike credit and debit cards, you won’t have an overdraft, which ensures you keep within your spending limits.
Cybercriminals can’t access your bank account through a prepaid card as there isn’t a direct link between the two. Your money will be safe if your Google Play account is hacked or your card details are stolen because they can only access the money on your prepaid card.
You can add a prepaid card to your Google Play account in the same way you would any other payment method. However, it’s worth remembering that you can only spend what’s on your card. The transaction won’t go through if you don’t have enough money on your prepaid card. Any app subscriptions you have will also stop until you put sufficient funds on your card.
Another safe method is to add a Mastercard Gift Card to your PayPal account. The prepaid gift card isn’t directly linked to your bank account, which provides extra security against cyber attacks. You can also open disputes through Paypal. If you think you were wrongly charged or were missold a product, you can use Paypal to message the seller and request a refund.
