You can purchase apps and digital content on Google Play using payment methods from your Google Account. If it's your first time making a purchase, your payment method will be added to your Google Account.
Update payment settings and fix issues
Find payment methods that you can use
Available payment methods vary by country. If your country is not listed, scroll down.
On 25 March 2025, US Cellular won't be accepted as a payment method for Google Play purchases. This means:
- For new purchases and subscriptions:
- You can't add US Cellular as a new payment method on Google Play.
- You can't sign up for new subscriptions on Google Play with US Cellular as your primary payment method.
- For existing US Cellular payment methods:
- If you've already added US Cellular as a payment method, you can still use it for non-subscription purchases on Google Play.
- Subscriptions that were started before 25 March 2025, with US Cellular as the primary payment method, will continue to be processed until 31 March 2026.
- To reduce any impact on your subscription, we suggest that you update your payment method before 31 March 2026.
You can add the following credit/debit cards to your account:
- American Express
- Discover
- JCB
- Mastercard
- Visa
Note: The types of cards accepted through Google Play may vary. If your card doesn't work when you think it should, contact your bank or card issuer for help. You may notice temporary authorisations on your account when using a credit or debit card.
In the United States, you can use your Google Pay balance to pay for your purchase. Simply make sure that there's enough money in your Google Pay balance to cover the total amount of the purchase.
With some mobile devices and service plans, you can charge purchases to your operator bill.
When you buy something, you'll see the charge on your operator account after 15 minutes.
Note: You may see an SMS (text message) starting with 'DCB' or 'DCB_Association' on your phone when you sign up for mobile phone billing. The message is automatically generated and sent to complete enrolment in mobile phone billing for your Google Play account.
Mobile phone billing troubleshootingIf you don't see an operator billing option, keep in mind that:
- Mobile phone billing is only available using the Google Play Store app. It isn't available on the Google Play website on a computer or mobile browser.
- Your account with your operator must be in good standing.
- If you use a device with dual SIM cards, make sure that you put the right SIM card in slot 1 and leave slot 2 empty.
- Mobile phone billing is not available on rooted devices.
- Some mobile phone operators can't be used to pay for subscriptions.
Check with your operator to make sure that:
- You haven't exceeded your operator's monthly spending limit.
- Your device and service plan allow premium content purchases.
- Your device can use mobile phone billing.
Cancelled purchases
Purchases that aren't successfully authorised with your operator are immediately cancelled. For help with unsuccessful mobile phone billing purchases, contact your mobile service provider.
Important: As of 15 June 2025, Play gift cards will no longer be available for purchase in Malaysia. Play gift cards and prepaid Play balance will expire on 31 January 2026. You will need to spend any remaining Play balance by that date. If you have unredeemed gift cards, you'll need to first redeem them to your Play Balance and spend it by that date to avoid losing the value of your Gift Card. Learn more.
Tip: Promotional Play balance will still be issued or held with applicable expiry dates. Check your remaining Play balance.
You can use your Play balance to:
- Buy apps and digital content on Play.
- Pay for subscriptions on Play.
To buy apps and digital content on Google Play, you can use Cash App Pay.
Tip: To use the service on Google Play, if you don't have a Cash App Pay account, create an account. To get more info on Cash App Pay, refer to the app or the Cash App Pay website.
You can use PayPal to buy apps and digital content on Google Play.
Important: If you have PayPal Security Key turned on, you have to add PayPal to your Google Play account using a computer or mobile web browser. You can't link it using the Play Store app. To add PayPal, select 'Add a payment method' under your payment methods in Google Play. Once you've added PayPal, you can use it to buy things from the Play Store app and the Play web store.
Google Play can't be used with:
- Bank transfers
- Bank transfers
- Western Union
- MoneyGram
- Virtual Credit Cards (VCC)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Transport cards
- Any escrow type of payment
Other countries
If your country is not on the list, available payment methods are listed below:
You can add the following credit/debit cards to your account:
- American Express
- Discover
- Mastercard
- Visa
Note: The types of cards accepted through Google Play may vary. If your card doesn't work when you think it should, contact your bank or card issuer for help. You may notice temporary authorisations on your account when using a credit or debit card.