Have you ever immediately regretted buying an app on Google Play? Or have you downloaded an app that doesn't work as expected, has bugs, or displays misleading ads? If so, you might want to know how to apply for a reimbursement of applications purchased on Google Play.
In this article, we will explain how to request your money back for an application that you are not satisfied with, along with the conditions and deadlines that you should consider. In addition, we'll provide guidance on how to avoid hassle when requesting a refund and get the most out of Google Play apps.
Requirements to request a refund
Before requesting a refund, you should know that some applications are non-refundable and that you must meet some requirements:
- You must have purchased the app through Google Play. You should contact the seller or developer if you bought it from another store or platform to see if you can get a refund.
- You have to request the refund within the established period. Per Google Play policy, you have up to 48 hours after purchase to request an automatic refund. After that time, the app developer decides to accept or reject your request. Consider the terms of each application before purchasing it because some developers may offer different terms than Google Play.
- You must have a valid Google account. This is the account with which you signed in to Google Play to purchase the app and with which you must sign in to request a refund.
Tips and recommendations
Before buying an app, read the description carefully, characteristics, ratings and comments of the users. Thus, you can get an idea of the quality and performance.
Take advantage of free versions or trials of an app. Many apps offer a free version with some limited features or a free trial for a limited period of time. Therefore, you can try them without any commitment before making the decision to buy them or not.
Don't overuse the refund system. Google Play can identify if you request too many refunds quickly or if you use the returned applications after receiving the refund. This could be a violation of the Google Play terms and may result in the suspension of your account or loss of your right to request future refunds.
Steps to request a refund
If you meet the above requirements, you can request a refund by following these steps:
- Open the Google Play app on your Android device or visit the Google Play web page on your computer or mobile browser.
- Click or tap the menu icon, which is made up of three horizontal lines, and then click on “Account”.
Select the "Order History" tab and find the app you want to return. - Click the "Refund" button or "Request a refund" is what you should do. If you don't see this button, the time to request an automatic refund has expired and you should contact the app developer.
- Confirm your request following the instructions on the screen. You may need to provide more information or answer a few questions about the reason for your return.
- Wait for an email response. You will receive the refund within 3 to 5 days working days if your request is accepted. If your application is rejected, you will receive an explanation as to why, and you can contact Google Play customer service if you have any questions or complaints.
How to contact the app developer
You should contact the app developer to determine if you can get a refund if you have requested a refund after 48 hours of purchase or if there is no refund button in your order history. He developer is responsible to establish your own refund policy and provide technical support and customer service for the application.
To contact the app developer, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play app.
- Find the app you want to return and click on your name to see your file.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the tab and tap or click "Additional Information".
- Look for the section "Contact the developer" and tap or click the email, phone number, or web page that appears. If there is no contact information, you can search the Internet for the developer's name to see if you have any other way to contact them.
- Describe your situation to the developer and request a refund. Being polite and respectful, please provide all the necessary information, including your name, your Google account, the name of the app, the date and amount of the purchase, as well as the reason you want to return it.
- Wait for a response from the developer. If they accept your request, it will explain how to get reimbursed. If he rejects it, he will tell you why and you can try to negotiate or accept his decision.
How to avoid accidental or unauthorized purchases
Other situation that may lead to requesting a refund is that you bought an application by accident or someone used your device or Google account to buy an app without your permission. This can happen if you do not activate purchase verification or if you share your account or device with other people.
Google Play purchase verification must be activated. This option allows you to set an authentication method (such as fingerprint, password, or facial recognition). to confirm each purchase on Google Play. Therefore, you will prevent purchases from being made by mistake or without your consent. Open the Google Play app on your Android device, tap or click the menu icon, which is made up of three horizontal lines, and then click “Settings” to enable this option. Then click on «Request authentication to make purchases» and choose the method you want.
Don't share your Google account or device with other people. If you do, make sure you don't store your payment methods in your account and sign out of Google Play when you're done using it. If possible, you can also create different profiles or accounts for each user of the device.
Check your order history on Google Play frequently. Therefore, you will be able to identify any suspicious or unidentified purchases and request a refund as soon as possible. To access your order history, open the Google Play app on your Android device or visit the Google Play website on your computer or mobile browser. Click or tap the menu icon, which is made up of three horizontal lines, and then click "Account". Then, choose the tab «Order History» and review all the purchases you have made with your account.
Enjoy without regrets
Do you know how to request a application refund purchased on Google Play, as well as the conditions and terms that you must take into account. We have also given you some tips and recommendations for avoid trouble when requesting a refund and to prevent accidental or unauthorized purchases.
Now you only have enjoy the best apps from Google Play with no regrets. Remember that Google Play is a platform that offers you millions of apps from different categories, for all tastes and needs. So don't hesitate to explore the apps in the Play Store and discover everything they can offer you. And if you ever buy an app that doesn't convince you, you know how to request a refund. Download!