Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yes—Google Play lets selected users ask another person to pay for an eligible paid app or in-app purchase. The requester creates a payment link, the other person pays with their own Google Play payment method, and the app or in-app item is delivered to the requester’s Google Play account. It is a payment request, not a gift, balance transfer, family-sharing feature, or bill-splitting tool.
Google’s current help page lists Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States, but availability is limited to selected users and can vary by app and purchase.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Google Play gift code | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Google Play gift code | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Google Play gift code | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What “Ask someone else to pay” actually does
The person who wants the app or in-app item starts the purchase on their own Google Play account. Instead of paying at checkout, they choose Ask someone else to pay and share a payment link. The recipient of that link completes the purchase with their own available Google Play payment method.
The purchased content remains attached to the requester’s account. The payer does not receive the app, game item or other benefit, and the transaction is not a conventional Google Play gift. Google documents the feature for paid apps and in-app purchases; it should not be assumed to cover subscriptions, books, movies or every other Play purchase.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
Google also says the requester cannot see the payer’s payment method or email address through the transaction. That protects payment details, but it does not make the payer completely anonymous: the requester will know that someone paid if the purchase is completed.
See Google’s current rules and availability at Google Play Help.
Who can use it?
Three conditions must be met:
- The requester must be in a country where Google has enabled the feature.
- The payer must be in the same region as the requester.
- Google must have enabled the flow for the relevant accounts, app and purchase.
The currently listed regions are:
| Region | Availability qualification |
|---|---|
| Australia | Selected users |
| Brazil | Selected users |
| India | Selected users |
| Indonesia | Selected users |
| Japan | Selected users |
| Mexico | Selected users |
| New Zealand | Selected users |
| United States | Selected users |
Being in one of these countries does not guarantee that every Google account will see the option. App-level support also matters.
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
How to ask someone else to pay
- Open Google Play and start buying the paid app or in-app item.
- From the payment options, select Ask someone else to pay.
- Tap Share payment link.
- Choose WhatsApp, Messages, email or another sharing method, then send the link to the payer.
- Check Google Play Order History to monitor whether the request is completed.
The control may be absent when the purchase is unsupported, an offer or discount is applied, the app does not support the flow, the account is outside the rollout, or a request for the same purchase is already pending. Google says an applied offer must be removed before you ask someone else to pay.
How the payer completes the request
- Open the payment link and tap Continue.
- Enter the full email address of the Google Play account that created the request.
- Tap Next.
- Choose an available payment method.
- Tap Buy.
- Check the Google Account confirmation email and Google Play Order History.
Copy the requester’s complete address exactly rather than guessing which Google account they used. The email requirement identifies the account that should receive the purchase; a typo or different account can prevent the intended delivery.
Rules that can stop a request
The link expires after 24 hours
A payment link is valid for 24 hours. If it expires, the requester needs to create a new request; Google does not document a refresh option.
Rank #3
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
A pending request blocks another purchase
While a request is pending, the requester cannot directly buy the same item or create another request for it. Cancel the existing request through Google Play’s Budget & Order History area before trying a different payment method or payer.
Both people must be in the same region
A payer in another Google Play country cannot complete the request simply by opening the link. This makes the feature unsuitable for most cross-border payments.
Refunds, missing items and payment problems
Refund destination
Both the requester and payer can ask Google for a refund. If Google approves it, the money generally returns to the payment method used for the original purchase—not automatically to the requester. The requester may lose access to the app or in-app content after the refund. Google says most refunds are processed within 10 business days, although the actual timing depends on the payment method and Google’s refund process.
Rank #4
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
If the purchase does not appear
Google does not promise an instant delivery time for in-app content. If payment succeeded but the item is missing:
- Check the requester’s Google Play Order History and confirmation email.
- Make sure the requester is signed in to the account that created the request.
- Check the game or app’s own account, inventory or restore-purchases screen.
- Contact the app developer if the Google Play transaction is complete but the in-app item is still absent.
User reports in the Google Play Help Community describe delayed or missing content, but those reports are not a Google guarantee that every transaction will be delayed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safety checks before paying
Because this is a payment link, use ordinary payment and anti-phishing precautions:
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- New finds, old favorites, one card. Choose a unique gift card design featuring your favorite games or apps. This card can also be used for anything else on Google Play. There’s something for everyone, so find what’s yours. Go Play.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Confirm the request came from the person who wants the purchase.
- Verify the app or in-app item and price before selecting Buy.
- Confirm the requester’s full Google Play email address through a separate trusted channel.
- Use the Google Play checkout and verify the result in Order History and the confirmation email.
- Stop if the page asks for unrelated credentials or unusual information, or if it is not clearly a Google Play checkout.
Which Google Play option fits your situation?
| What you need | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A friend pays for one specific app or in-app item | Ask someone else to pay | The item goes to the requester’s account through a shareable link. |
| A parent approves a child’s purchase | Purchase approvals | Designed for a Google family group rather than a casual payment link. |
| A household uses one payment method | Family payment method | Managed by the family manager under Google family-payment rules. |
| Family members share eligible purchases | Family Library | Eligible apps, games, movies, TV shows and books can be shared with up to five other family members. |
| The recipient should choose what to buy | Google Play gift card or Play balance | Provides spending credit instead of specifying one purchase; country and redemption rules apply. |
Google’s family guidance is available in its parent and family guide. Gift-card information is available at Google Play gift cards.
When this feature is—and is not—a good fit
- Good fit: a child, student or friend needs one paid app or game item; the requester wants the purchase on their own account; or the payer does not want to share card details.
- Poor fit: subscriptions or unsupported content, cross-border payments, splitting a bill among several people, shared ownership, or an ongoing household payment arrangement.
Early reports in May 2024 described an India-only rollout. Google’s later help documentation now lists eight regions, so older articles that say the feature is India-only are out of date. The current eligibility is still selective rather than universal.
The Bottom Line
Google Play’s Ask someone else to pay feature is best understood as a one-off payment request: another person pays, while the requester receives the eligible app or in-app item. Check region, account and app eligibility first, use the full requester email address, remember the 24-hour expiry, and treat refunds as returning to the payer’s original payment method.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
