There can never be too much relativity & contradiction in something at the same time as in online shopping & second thoughts. We all have had the experience of buying things online & then thought about returning it & we did so. Having second thoughts from clothes to expensive electronics items such as SmartTV & Automatic Washing Machine.
We can easily put in a request for either a replacement or refund if you want to cancel the order all the way. However, what happens when you order something digitally and ask for a refund? The situations aren’t the same & as lenient as when we try to get a refund from the online shopping websites. For example, any order from the Google Play Store.
How to Get a Refund on Google Play Store
There can be many reasons you’d want to get a refund on Google Play Store that can be as simple as not getting the app as it claimed to be or the tracks you bought were not upto the mark. That’s where you will need to act fast if you’ve purchased any app/game/media from the Google Play Store.
Before starting anything, let’s get to know your statutory rights as a user once.
In case you are from one of the EEA countries, check out the statutory rights here.
Google Play Store Refund For Games or Apps (Within 2 hours)
In order to get a Google Play refund from the Play Store, what you actually need is the awareness that whatever you’ve received isn’t something you’ve asked for. Because if you want to get a Google Play Store refund, you will need to ask for it within 2 hours of it’s purchase (from the app). Follow the below steps & try to get the process started for Play Store refund:
- Start by opening the Google Play Store app.
- Click on the burger menu (top left corner of the screen); tap on Choose Account & the Order history
- Search the app/game you want to get a refund for & then tap on Refund.
- tap on Yes > the app will get uninstalled & the money will be refunded into your account.
As a notification, you will get a confirmation email about the refund. As soon as the refund gets processed, in the Order History, the display will show Canceled just next to the app.
Google Play Store Refund For Games or Apps (Within 48 hours)
Now, in case you weren’t able to put the request for Play Store refund within 2 hours, you can do it within 48 hours also (on condition that you send the request from the internet browser).
Just make sure that you’re signed in to your Google account on the browser & follow the refund process by visiting the Google link to fill out the form.
Get a Refund on Google Play Store (After 48 hours)
The situation might happen where you can forget about putting in the request for Play Store refund even within 48 hours & that is alright. Because you can still send the Google Play Store refund request if it’s been more than two days.
The only catch is that in this case you’d need to draft this refund request straight to the app developer with below steps:
- Open up the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap on the burger menu (top left); Choose Account & then Order history.
- Select the app/game you want Play Store refund for & click on View.
- Go down to the Developer section & select Send email.
- Follow the above process by explaining the whole issue about you seeking a refund with the appropriate reason.
Play Store Refund Process For In-App Purchases (Less Than 48 Hours)
It’s possible that Google can help you out with refunds for in-app purchases & to know about it, visit the link, fill out the form, & submit the refund request.
While filling out the form, keep your Google account signed-in as well as keep the Order number handy (mentioned in the email you receive after you make a purchase).
Normally, you will receive the response quickly however it can lead upto 48 hours.
Play Store Refund Process For In-App Purchases (More Than 48 Hours)
Similar to the app/media purchase on the Play Store, if you’re delayed by more than 48 hours to get a refund on in-app purchase, you need to contact the app developer directly with below steps:
- Start the process by opening up the Google Play Store app
- Click on the burger menu & then Choose Account > Order history
- Locate the app/media & select View
- Go to the Developer section & choose Send email
- Start explaining the reason for Play Store refund for the in-app purchase
Now, in case if you have set up any subscription, go ahead with canceling the same as well by following below path:
Google Play Store > Menu (top left) > Account > Subscriptions > Cancel
Please know that uninstalling any of the media won’t cancel the subscription you have set up for.
Get a Google Play Store refund For eBooks/Movies/TV Shows/Music
Not that much but the process to seek a Play Store refund for the eBooks/Movies/TV Shows/Music you have bought is a bit different. The request must be put in within 7 days of purchase & that too if you haven’t played or downloaded it yet.
Another thing is that you can’t place a Play Store refund for eBooks/Movies/TV Shows/Music via the app so you will have to visit the browser itself & follow the below steps:
- Visit Play Store account in your browser & log in
- Go down to Order history and select the content you need to return.
- Tap on the burger menu & select Report a problem.
- Choose the appropriate reason from the list & explain the reason of the refund
- Tap on Submit. You will receive a confirmation message on your registered email.
Wrapping Up
The second thoughts on something you just recently bought is quite a common feeling we all have but what about you bought anything from a digital store like the Google Play Store. How do we go about Play Store refund & getting the money back that we spent money on.
Go through the options thoroughly & choose the option that can get you the refund provided that you meet the criteria.
Next Read:
How To Change Your Country On Google Play Store
How To Fix Google Play Store Error Codes