Require a password or authentication for purchases

You can help prevent accidental purchases on your device from apps and games available outside of the Family section by turning on authentication (apps and games in the Family section automatically request authentication before purchasing through Google Play’s billing system).

Authentication means certain information, like a password, must be entered on your device to make a purchase. If needed, you can change or reset your Google Account password.

To approve purchases with your Google Assistant, learn how to set your payment info.

Important: Purchase authentication settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

Turn authentication on or off

Except for your play.google.com settings and certain Google Assistant settings, which apply across devices, authentication settings apply only to the active account on the device where you add them. If you use your Google Account on more than one device, repeat the steps below for each device. If you use multiple accounts on your device, repeat the steps below for each account on the device. Additionally, authentication settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

Change authentication settings on your mobile device

1. Open the Google Play app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Settings  Authentication Require authentication for purchases.
4. Choose a setting.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: To change authentication settings you will need your Google password. Visit account recovery if you don't remember your password. 

Change your Google Assistant authentication settings

1. On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings." 
2. Under "Popular settings," tap You  Payments.
3. Turn Pay through your Assistant on or off.
4. Turn Confirm with fingerprint or face and Confirm with Voice Match on or off.

Learn how to make payments with Voice Match.

Change authentication settings on your Chromebook

If you're using the Play Store app on your Chromebook:

1. Open the Google Play Store app .
2. Click Menu   Settings.
3. Click Authentication preferences.
4. Choose a setting.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip:

• This will only work if you're using the Google Play Store app on your Chromebook. Find out more about how to use the Google Play Store on Chromebooks. 
• To change authentication settings you will need your Google password. Visit account recovery if you don't remember your password.

Set up fingerprint authentication (on select devices)

If your device allows fingerprint authentication, you can approve Google Play purchases made through Google Play’s billing system with a fingerprint scan.

You'll only be prompted for fingerprint authentication if the app requires it or you've followed the steps above to require authentication for purchases.

1. Open the Google Play app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Settings Authentication.
4. Turn on Biometric authentication.
5. Enter your password. 
6. Tap OK.

Tip: To set up fingerprint authentication you will need your Google password. Visit account recovery if you don't remember your password. 

Change authentication settings on Android TV

Tip: To change authentication settings, you need your Google password. Visit account recovery if you don’t remember your password.

Change authentication settings on play.google.com

This setting applies to purchases made through Google Play's billing system. Authentication is required for all remote app installs through the web.

1. Go to play.google.com.
2. At the top right, click your profile icon.
3. Click Settings & devices.
4. Under "Authentication Preferences," select a setting.
5. Click Update.

Tip: To change authentication settings you will need your Google password. Visit account recovery if you don't remember your password.

Change authentication settings in Google Play Games on PC

1. On your computer, open Google Play Games .
2. At the top, click your gamer name.
3. Click Settings .
4. Next to "Reset purchase authentication settings," click Reset.

What authentication settings mean

If you turn off authentication for purchases, it may result in unauthorized purchases. You assume responsibility for all charges including unintended or unauthorized purchases.

You can select a payment method to make purchases through Google Play. Learn more about setting up and managing a family group on Google Play.

Tips:

• Authentication settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.
• Authentication is always required for every purchase made through Google Play’s billing system for an app or game designed for ages 12 and under, even if you have your settings set differently.
• When you create a family group on Google Play, your family members can use the family payment method to make purchases through Google Play's billing system. Learn how to set up and manage a family group.

For all devices (other than through play.google.com)

For all purchases through Google Play's billing system on this device (default setting): Authentication is required for every digital content purchase through Google Play's billing system (including within apps).

Every 30 minutes (mobile device only): Every time you authenticate for a purchase, you can continue to buy all forms of digital content through Google Play's billing system (including within apps) for the next 30 minutes without authenticating again.

Never: Authentication is not required for any purchases through Google Play's billing system.

Important: Authentication settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

For play.google.com

These settings apply when you’re signed in to play.google.com on any device and only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system. These settings don’t affect your authentication settings outside of play.google.com (for example, when you’re in the Google Play app on your mobile device).

All purchases and app installs through play.google.com (default setting): Authentication is required for every digital content purchase through your Google account on play.google.com.

Only app installs through play.google.com: When you’re signed in to play.google.com, authentication isn't required for digital content purchases like paid content and in-app purchases. Authentication is required for remote app installations through your Google account on play.google.com.

Tips:

• If you share your devices with others or want to prevent purchases of kid-friendly content through play.google.com, turn on authentication for purchases.
• Authentication settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.