Subscribe to services or content

You can subscribe for paid premium services and features on certain apps with Google Play.

When you subscribe:

• The subscription is for an indefinite term, and you'll be charged at the start of each billing period according to your subscription terms, for example, weekly, annually or another period.
• If you accept a trial offer, you'll get an email when your trial is about to end.
  • At the end of your trial period, the first billing period begins and you automatically get charged the amount in your subscriptions terms.
  • To avoid charges, cancel the subscription before the trial period expires.
• You might find a payment authorisation on your payment method up to 24 hours before the next billing period starts, but you’re only charged on the billing period renewal date. To remove the payment authorisation, cancel the subscription before your next billing cycle begins.
• You can cancel your subscription at any time in subscriptions on Google Play. When you cancel, you'll lose access to the subscription at the end of your current billing period, unless you purchased your subscription with a payment plan. Refer to 'Stop auto-renewal of a payment plan' below to understand how cancellation works for payment plans.
• For certain jurisdictions, you have these options:
  • Cancel your subscription with immediate effect and lose access.
  • Cancel the subscription at the end of the current billing cycle.Learn how to cancel your subscription.
• You can also add a second payment method to your Google Play account to help prevent interruptions to your subscription service in case your primary payment method expires or fails. Learn how to add a backup payment method.
• If your payment is unsuccessful, you may have a grace period to update your payment method. During the grace period, you may still be able to use your subscription. When the grace period ends, or if there's no grace period, your account may be placed on hold for up to 60 days during which you can't use the subscription. During any grace period and account hold period, Play will periodically retry the payment. If the payment issue isn't resolved before any grace period and account hold period ends, the subscription is automatically cancelled.
• Some apps and games are restricted based on the content rating because they target only users who are aged 18 and above or because app developers have chosen not to make them available to users aged under 18. This means that app visibility and purchases, including subscription sign-ups, are limited to users who meet the age criteria. Developers may change their age criteria at any time and subscriptions are subject to cancellation if your account or developer settings change and no longer fit the criteria.
  • Learn more about Apps & Games content ratings on Google Play and how to set up parental controls on Google Play.
• Google may share subscription data that doesn't personally identify you with developers to help them offer subscriptions.

Tip: If you use a Chromebook and have the Google Play Store installed, tap Android.

Important information for Paytm users in India

Important: From 15 July onwards, PayTM eWallet will no longer be available as an accepted form of payment on Google Play.

Users are advised to add an alternative form of payment in their Play account. Users are also advised to update their existing subscriptions with the alternative payment method to avoid interruptions. Learn how to manage your payment methods and the list of accepted forms of payment on Google Play in India.

Important information for mobile billing users in India

Important: From 31 July 2024 onwards, Idea and Vodafone mobile billing will be suspended as an accepted form of payment on Google Play.

Users are advised to add an alternative form of payment in their Play account. Users are also advised to update their existing subscriptions with the alternative payment method to avoid interruptions. Learn how to manage your payment methods and the list of accepted forms of payment on Google Play in India.

Subscribe to services and content on apps

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your Google Play Store app .
2. Make sure that you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
3. Find and open the app that offers premium services for a fee.
4. Tap Subscribe.
5. Choose your subscription option and review your subscription and plan details.
6. Select a payment method.
7. Tap Subscribe.

Tip: To cancel a trial subscription and avoid charges, cancel your subscription before the trial period ends.

Subscribe to an app with a promo code

There are two types of promo codes.

If your code uses words and numbers, like HAPPYHOLIDAYS2020

1. On your Android phone or tablet, download and install the app.
2. In the app for your subscription, find the subscription that your code applies to.
3. Go through the checkout process until you reach the payment method listed.
   • If you don't have a payment method: add one.
4. Next to the payment method, tap the Right arrow .
5. Tap Redeem code.
6. Enter your code, then follow the on-screen instructions.
7. Confirm that your purchase uses the promotion.
8. Tap Subscribe.

1. Open the Google Play app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Payments and subscriptions  Redeem gift code.
4. Enter the code
5. Tap Redeem.
6. Download and install the app for your subscription.
7. In the app, find the type of subscription that your code applies to.
8. To confirm that your purchase uses the promo code, check your basket.
9. Follow the in-app steps.
10. To complete your subscription, open the app.

If you can't redeem or subscribe with your promo code, learn how to fix problems with codes.

Subscribe with a season pass

A season pass is a recurring or non-recurring subscription that grants you access to a season of content. If you purchase a recurring season pass, it’ll automatically renew at the start of the next season, on the date set by the developer. Some season passes may be purchased with a payment plan. 

You can cancel a season pass at any time. When you cancel your season pass, you’ll lose access to the subscription at the end of the current billing period or, if you purchased your subscription with a monthly payment plan, at the end of your payment plan. See section titled 'Stop auto-renewal of a payment plan' below for more information on cancellation behaviour for season passes on payment plans.

For more details on your season pass, visit subscriptions on Google Play or contact the app developer.

Subscribe with a payment plan

When you subscribe to content using a payment plan, you commit to multiple payments over a specified period of time. If you purchase a recurring payment plan, it’ll automatically renew on your renewal date. 

For information on payment plan availability, go to location eligibility for subscription payment plans. If you are on a payment plan, visit subscriptions on Google Play or review your email receipt for information about your plan. Payment plans are subject to the Google Play payment plan Terms of Service.

Stop auto-renewal of a payment plan

Once your payment method is charged for a payment plan, you can't cancel any remaining payments for that payment plan. However, you can choose to stop your payment plan from auto-renewing. This means that you won't be charged on your next subscription renewal date, which you can view in Subscriptions on Google Play or on your email receipt, and you can continue to access your content until then. If you choose to stop your payment plan from renewing, you'll still be responsible for any remaining payments on your current payment plan. Google Play will not issue refunds except as otherwise provided in Google Play's refund policy.

Subscribe with a prepaid plan

Prepaid plans are subscriptions for a fixed duration of time offered by some apps, and they don’t automatically renew. If your payment method doesn’t support recurring subscriptions, a prepaid plan might be a good option for you.

Unlike regular subscriptions, prepaid plans are used to purchase access to subscriptions for a set amount of time. When the term ends, you lose access to the subscription.

If you want to continue your access to the subscription after the prepaid period ends, you can:

• Extend the prepaid plan.
• Switch the plan to a recurring subscription.

Not all apps have a prepaid plan option available. Prepaid plans don’t support trials at no cost.

To sign up for a prepaid subscription plan:

1. Open the Google Play app .
2. Make sure that you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
3. Find and open the app that offers prepaid plans for a fee.
4. Tap Subscribe.
5. Choose the prepaid plan that you want to purchase.
6. Select a supported payment method.
7. Tap Buy.

Start a subscription from a website 

1. On the website that offers a subscription, select Subscribe with your Google Account or Subscribe with Google.
2. Make sure that you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
3. Select a subscription offer (for example, yearly or monthly). This may depend on the types of subscription the website offers.
4. Confirm your payment method and billing address.

Find out how to add an existing subscription to your Google Account.