Make in-app purchases in Android apps

With some apps, you can buy additional content or services within the app. We call these "in-app purchases." Here are some examples of in-app purchases:

A sword that gives you more power in a game.
A key that unlocks more features of an app.
Virtual currency that can be used for purchases.

Tip: To help protect against accidental or unwanted in-app purchases, check that purchase verification is turned on for your device. Learn more about purchase verification for Google Play.

Find out if an app offers in-app purchases

Before downloading an app, you can check if it offers in-app purchases:

On the Google Play Store app, in-app purchases will be by the Price or Install button.
On play.google.com/store, you'll see "Offers in-app purchases" below the name of the app.

Make an in-app purchase

You can make in-app purchases with the Google Play app on an Android device.

To make an in-app purchase:

Find the in-app purchase in the app or game.
Start the checkout process.
Apply promotions and promotional offers.
- To change the promotion applied to your order:
  1. Tap the promotion.
  2. Select a different promotion or remove the existing one.
  3. Learn more about Promotions on Google Play.
Confirm the desired payment method.
- To change the payment method, tap the current payment method.
Apply any promo codes.
1. Tap the current payment method Redeem code.
2. Enter the code.
3. Tap Redeem.
To complete your purchase, follow the on-screen instructions.

Use a promo code for an in-app purchase

You can redeem promotional codes for some in-app purchases using the Play Store app on an Android device.

To redeem a promotional code for an in-app item:

Find the in-app purchase you want to apply the promo code to.
Start the check-out process.
Next to the payment method, tap the Down arrow .
Tap Redeem.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.

Problems with in-app purchases

If you’re having an issue with an in-app purchase, troubleshoot and get help.

Pre-order or pre-register for apps, in-app products, books & audiobooks

You can pre-order select e-books, and audiobooks and have them appear in your library as soon as they're available. Also, some developers allow you to pre-order an item inside an app or game. You'll be charged for the purchase and can access the pre-ordered item on the date that the developer specifies. You can cancel your pre-order anytime before you’re charged. You can also pre-register for select apps and games that aren't out yet.

Pre-order an item

You won't be charged for pre-orders until the item is available in your app.

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play app .
Select the item you want to pre-order.
On the item’s detail page, tap Pre-order or Pre-register.

You’ll get an email when your pre-order is placed. You’ll also get a notification or email when you get the item or when it becomes available to download.

Important: A pre-order may be canceled if your payment is declined. If you used Google Play Store balance as your form of payment for your pre-order, your order will be canceled if you don't have enough credit in your account when the item is released.

How payments for pre-orders work

Until the item is available in the app, you won’t be charged for your pre-order. Before then, you can cancel your pre-order anytime.

Your pre-order will be canceled if:

The payment method is declined. If the payment method you provided isn’t working, you'll get an email to update it.
You use the Google Play Store balance as your form of payment and your balance is less than what is needed to pay for the item when the item is released.

If the item is eligible for Play Points, you'll earn them on the release date.

Pre-order changes & refunds

Pre-order details are subject to change. For example, developers can update the price or release date of the item. You’ll be notified if the release date changes. In the “Budget & history” page, you can find the status of your pre-order purchase, including the up-to-date expected release date.

For items enrolled in lower price guarantee, if the price changes after you’ve pre-ordered it, you'll pay the lower price between:

The price at the time you placed your pre-order.
The price on the date of its release.

Before you place the pre-order, check your item for a lower price guarantee tag.

If your pre-order item isn't available from the developer after the release date, we'll cancel the transaction and refund you. If this happens, you'll get an email.

Check the status or cancel your pre-order for in-app items, books & audiobooks

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play app .
At the top right, choose your profile icon.
Select Payments & subscriptions Budget & order history.
Select the item you want to cancel.
Tap Cancel preorder.

You'll receive a cancellation email after canceling your order.

In the “Budget & history” page, you can find the latest release date of your pre-ordered item. If the item can’t be delivered on the release date, the developer may update the release date. If the date changes from what you’ve previously agreed to, you’ll get an email.

Pre-register

Important: If you pre-register for an item, you can’t cancel your pre-registration.

You can pre-register for select apps and games that aren't out yet. Pre-registration is applicable only to apps and games and doesn’t include in-app purchases.

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play app .
Select the item that you want to pre-register.
On the item's detail page, tap Pre-register.

After you pre-register for an item and when it becomes available to download, you'll get an email notification.