Developers can now offer alternatives to Google Play’s billing system to their users that pay for digital content and services in the following countries:
- European Economic Area (EEA) countries
- Australia
- Brazil
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- South Africa
- South Korea
- United States
- United Kingdom
Google Play’s billing system
Google Play's billing system allows you to safely and securely purchase digital products and in-app content, including subscriptions. Your payment information is securely stored to your Google Account and will not be shared with app developers. To prevent accidental purchases, you can require authentication anytime you make a purchase.
When you use Google Play’s billing system, you can also set a monthly budget, check your payment history, manage your subscriptions all in one place through the Subscription center, and set and manage parental controls. You can set up a family group and if you're a parent in the group, you can set up a family form of payment for members to use and require your permission for purchasing or downloading content on Google Play. If you experience an issue with a purchase on Google Play, you can also request a refund through Google Play.
Google Play's billing system makes it easy to pay with a range of payment methods globally. Depending on your country, payment methods may include local mobile phone billing, eWallets, cash and Play gift cards and you can earn Play Points with your purchases. Learn more about available forms of payment.
Learn more about how Google Play’s billing system works.
Alternative billing systems for users
Depending on your country and the developer’s election to participate, developers may offer you a choice of billing systems for each purchase. Your choice will determine:
- Who secures your purchase, processes your payment, and stores any payment information
- Who provides customer support for the purchase
- Which benefits are available with your purchase
- In EEA countries, who is responsible for applicable consumer rights
We believe that this choice will help you make an informed decision when you make purchases within the Play ecosystem.
Tip: For users in EEA countries, an alternative billing system may be offered to you without the choice of Google Play’s billing system.
Tips:
- Google doesn't secure any payment information you share with a developer or an alternative billing service provider, such as your billing address and payment method details.
- When you choose Google Play at checkout, the features available are:
- Play gift cards or Play Points
- This feature is only available in selected countries.
- Purchase controls
- Play subscription management
- Play Pass offers
- Play gift cards or Play Points
- To learn how alternative billing systems provide billing features and benefits, contact your developer.
Alternative billing for children
A child can buy digital content in apps, and they can use either Google Play or a different way to pay offered by the developer. Purchase approvals in Play won’t apply if a child uses the billing system from the developer.
The first time a child tries to make an in-app purchase on apps that offer a different way to pay, their parent or guardian will be required to sign in before the purchase is made to review a message. This message will talk about the other ways their child can pay for in-app digital content. The next time a child tries to make an in-app purchase in this same app, the child’s parent or guardian will not be asked to sign in to view this message, and the child will be able to proceed without parent involvement.
If a child uses a different way to pay for the in-app content other than Google Play, then the developer:
- Secures the purchase, processes the payment, and keeps payment information.
- Helps with any questions or issues.
- Provides any other help with buying.
Google secures purchases made with Google Play. If your child is eligible for Play features such as Play gift cards, Play Points, subscription management, and Play Pass offers, those will be available only when purchases are made with Google Play.