Bought the wrong app, got charged for a trial you meant to cancel, or paid for an in-app item that never arrived? Both major app stores have a refund process. Neither guarantees a refund, but a clear, prompt request has a far better chance than a vague one weeks later.
Before you ask: who sold it?
The store that charged you handles the refund. A purchase made inside an iPhone app is usually billed by Apple. A purchase inside an Android app is usually billed by Google Play. A subscription bought on a developer’s website is handled by the developer, not the store. Check your receipt email or card statement first.
Apple: App Store, Apple Arcade and in-app purchases
- Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with the Apple Account that made the purchase.
- Choose Request a refund, pick a reason, and select the item.
- Submit, then watch for an email with the decision.
You can also start the process from the purchase receipt email. Apple reviews each request and the outcome is not guaranteed. Requests made soon after the charge, with a clear reason, tend to be handled faster.
Google Play: apps, games and in-app items
- Open play.google.com in a browser, or the Play Store app, and find your order history.
- Select the order and choose Request a refund or Report a problem.
- Pick the reason and submit.
Google states that if less than 48 hours have passed since purchase, you may be able to request a refund through Google Play. After that window, Google generally directs you to the app’s developer, whose contact details are listed on the app’s store page.
Subscriptions are different
Cancelling a subscription stops future charges; it does not refund the current period. If a renewal charged you unexpectedly, cancel first (see how to cancel app subscriptions), then request a refund for the renewal with a short explanation, for example that you had not used the service since renewal.
How to write a request that works
- Be specific. “Accidental purchase by my child”, “trial converted after I cancelled” or “item not delivered” are clear reasons.
- Be prompt. Ask as soon as you notice.
- Be factual and brief. One or two sentences is enough.
- Do not use the app after the charge if you are asking for a refund on the basis that you did not want it.
Children and accidental purchases
Prevent the problem rather than fixing it later. On Apple devices, Family Sharing with Ask to Buy sends purchase requests to a parent. On Android, set purchase authentication in Play Store settings so every purchase needs a password or biometric confirmation.
When the store says no
- Contact the developer. Small developers often refund directly or offer credit, especially for genuine mistakes.
- Check consumer law where you live. Some regions give additional rights for digital content that is faulty or not as described.
- Card chargebacks are a last resort. A dispute can lead the store to suspend your account. Use the store process first.
Stop it happening again
Most refund requests come from forgotten trials and auto-renewals. Run a subscription audit every few months, and cancel trials on the day you start them so they cannot convert.