Use a family payment method on Google Play
After joining a family group, family members can make purchases on Google Play using the family payment method or their own payment method.
How the family payment method works
- When the family manager signs up for Family Library or the Google Play Music family plan, they add a family payment method.
- Family members can use the family payment method to make purchases on Google Play or in-app purchases. The family manager is responsible for any purchases made by their family members using the family payment method. The family manager gets email receipt each time a family member makes a purchase.
- The family manager can turn on purchase approval settings for family members.
Make purchases using the family payment method
Family members can make purchases using the family payment method, or another payment method.
Family members can use the family payment method to make in-app purchases and to buy the following content on Google Play, including:
- Apps and in-app purchases
- Books
- Music
- Movies
- Games
- TV shows
- Magazine issues
Note: If content is eligible to be added to Family Library, you'll see the Family Library icon on the details page .
The family payment method can't be used for certain kinds of purchases, including:
- Devices from the Google Store, like phones and tablets
- Google Play balance
- Android Pay purchases
Payment options for the family manager
If you created your family group, use the instructions below to manage your family's payment method and track purchases.
If you're the family manager, you can update the family payment method.
- Open the Play Store app
.
- In the top left, tap Menu
Account
Payment methods
Change family payment method.
- Tap OK.
Choose the purchase approval settings for your family members.
The family manager can see a list of all the purchases made using the family payment method.
- Open the Play Store app
.
- In the top left, tap Menu
Account
Order history.
- Scroll through all past purchases. If the purchase was made by someone else in your family, you'll see "Purchased by" and their name.
Note: If you share a credit card with your family members, they may already have access to the credit card you use as the family payment method. You'll only see purchases made with this credit card in your Order history if your family member selects the family payment method to make the purchase.
Troubleshoot issues
If you don't see the family payment method as an option when you go to make a purchase, it's because the family payment method can't be used for that type of purchase.
You'll see this message if the family payment method that the family manager set up is expired.
To fix this, the family manager should:
- Open the Play Store app
.
- In the top left, tap Menu
Account
Payment methods
Change family payment method.
Either the family manager or the family member who purchased the content can ask for refunds for content purchased using the family payment method.
Refunds are returned to the family payment method.
Learn more about Google Play refunds.
Dan is a Google Play expert and author of this help page. Leave him feedback below about the page.