Manage purchase authentication in the Google Pay app

To help prevent unauthorized transactions in the Google Pay app, you can leave "purchase authentication" on. When "purchase authentication" is on, certain information, like the password for your Google Account, must be entered before you can complete an in-app purchase.

Tip: Purchase authentication can help prevent unauthorized transactions on a shared device.

How purchase authentication works

Important: Purchase authentication settings in the Google Pay app don’t apply to other apps or online services.

When "purchase authentication" is on, you need to complete a step to authenticate the Google Account used in the Google Pay app on your device before the in-app purchase is completed.

To authenticate, you can require either:

• Entering your Google Account password before each in-app purchase. This is the default purchase authentication method that will be turned on in your settings for the Google Pay app. If needed, you can change or reset your Google Account password.
• Providing the information needed to unlock your device’s screen before each in-app purchase, for example, using your fingerprint. You can choose to make this your primary authentication method.

Turn purchase authentication settings on or off

Tip: Purchase authentication is only available for Android users in the US.

These purchase authentication settings apply separately to each device where you use the Google Pay app. If you use the Google Pay app on more than one device, you can manage purchase authentication settings for each device separately.

1. Open the Google Pay app .
2. At the top right, tap your profile picture or the account icon .
3. Tap Privacy & security  Purchase authentication.
4. Manage your purchase authentication settings.
   1. Turn Require authentication for purchases on or off.
   2. Turn Use screen lock for authentication on or off.
5. Enter your Google Account password. You'll need to enter a password if you turn Require authentication for purchases off or when you first turn Use screen lock for authentication on.

Important: If you turn Require authentication for purchases off, it may result in unauthorized in-app purchases through your Google Pay app on your device. You assume responsibility for all charges including unintended or unauthorized in-app purchases.