Subscriptions on Google Play

A subscription is when you pay a recurring fee rather than a one-time price for content on Google Play. Depending on the subscription, you’ll automatically be charged on a monthly or yearly basis.

Subscriptions differ from regular Android app purchases in that there is no 15-minute refund window.

How to Subscribe to Content on Google Play

To purchase a subscription, first, you’ll need to download the app where the subscription-based content is available. For example, if you want to purchase a monthly subscription for your favorite news outlet, you’ll need to find that news channel’s app on Google Play, download and install it on your device.

Once you’ve downloaded the app:

  • Tap the icon to launch the app.
  • Access the section of the app that offers subscription-based content to purchase.
  • On the confirmation screen, choose an existing payment method or add a new payment method.
  • Confirm the purchase by selecting “Accept & subscribe.” Note that exact pricing on the "Accept & subscribe" screen may vary slightly from the price listed on Google Play based on currency exchange rates and that pricing may change from month to month or year to year.

    • Trial subscriptions

    Some apps allow for a subscription trial period. Trial subscriptions last a minimum of seven days, and you will be notified of the trial period in the purchase flow. Should you choose to cancel, follow the cancel subscription steps below before the trial expires, and you will not be charged for that subscription.

    Note: If you do not cancel, at the end of the trial period, you will be automatically billed for the subscription - you cannot sign up for multiple trials.

    Managing Subscriptions

    You can visit your My subscriptions page on Google Wallet to view your subscriptions.

    If you get a new device or perform a factory data reset on your device during your subscription, you simply need to re-install the app where you purchased the subscription, and as long as you’re using the same account you were before, you’ll continue to have access to this content. In other words, you will not need to re-purchase your subscription if the app to which you’re subscribed is uninstalled for any reason.

    Canceling subscriptions

    To cancel a subscription, visit your My subscriptions page on Google Wallet and use the Cancel subscription buttons.

    Important: Uninstalling an app will not automatically stop your subscription. You must cancel your subscription to end your subscription. If you uninstall the app without canceling your subscription, you will still be charged.

    Canceling a subscription will not retroactively refund subscription payments, and previously charged subscription fees cannot be pro-rated based on cancellation date. For example, if you purchased a one-year subscription on Jan. 1 for $10 and decide to cancel your subscription on July 1, you will have access to the subscription until Dec. 31 and will be charged the full $10, but you will not be charged another yearly subscription of $10 the following Jan. 1.

    Changes to Subscriptions

  • If an app for which you’ve purchased a subscription is removed from Google Play, your future subscription will be automatically cancelled, but past subscriptions will not be refunded.

    • Subscriptions Refund Policy

  • Unlike one-time Google Play purchases, there is no 15-minute refund window for subscriptions.
  • All refunds are at the discretion of the app’s developer, and all refund requests must be made directly with the developer. You’ll find developer contact information by selecting the app in question on Google Play - on the details page, you’ll find either a website, phone number or email address.