Google Play lets some users share a payment link so another person can pay for an eligible paid app or in-app purchase. The item is delivered to the account that started the request—not the payer’s account. The feature is limited to selected users and regions, and the payer and requester must be in the same region.
What “Ask someone else to pay” does
The requester starts a purchase in Google Play and shares the resulting payment link. The payer opens it and pays with a payment method available to them. The purchase is attached to the requester’s Google Play account; the payer does not receive the app or in-app item. Google says the requester cannot see the payer’s payment method or email address. Google Play Help
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This is a payment link for a specific purchase, not a transfer of an app, a general gift balance, or permission for someone else to sign in to your account.
Who can use it, and for which purchases?
Google currently lists Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. The feature is available only to selected users, so being in one of these regions does not guarantee that the option will appear. The requester and payer must also be in the same region. Google’s availability and eligibility details
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- 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.
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The documented purchase types are paid apps and in-app purchases, but Google notes that the option may not be available for a particular app or purchase. Its help page does not establish support for subscriptions, books, films, TV content or every other Play Store category, so do not assume those purchases qualify. If an app uses an alternative billing system, its payment and support arrangements may differ from Google Play billing. Google Play’s explanation of alternative billing
Google has not specified a minimum Android or Play Store version, the exact criteria for selecting accounts, or whether the feature works on the web, iPhone or iPad. Those details should not be inferred from the supported-country list.
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- 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 send a payment request
- Open the paid app or eligible in-app purchase in Google Play and begin the purchase.
- Tap the payment option and look for Ask someone else to pay.
- Choose Share payment link.
- Select a sharing method, such as a messaging app or email, and send the link to the person who will pay.
- Check Google Play order history to see whether the purchase has been completed.
Labels can vary slightly by device, account, region or interface version. If the option is absent, check the eligibility and troubleshooting points below rather than assuming the feature is available to every account.
What the payer needs to do
- Open the link and tap Continue.
- Enter the full email address of the Google Play account that created the request, then tap Next.
- Choose an available payment method and tap Buy.
- Check the Google Account email for confirmation.
The payer can see what is being purchased, but the item goes to the requester’s account. The payer does not need the requester’s password or access to their account. Verify the requester’s email address through a trusted channel before paying, especially if the link arrived unexpectedly.
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- 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.
Link expiry, pending requests and cancellation
A payment link expires after 24 hours. If the payer does not complete the purchase in that time, create a new request. While a request for an item is pending, the requester cannot buy that same item directly or ask someone else to pay; cancel the pending request first. Google Play Help
- Open Google Play.
- Go to Budget and order history.
- Find the pending purchase and tap Cancel.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Labels may differ slightly across versions and locales.
Why the option might not appear
- Region: The requester may be outside a listed region, or the payer and requester may be in different regions.
- Account eligibility: Google limits availability to selected users, including within listed regions.
- Purchase eligibility: The transaction may not be a paid app or eligible in-app purchase, or that specific app or purchase may not support the flow.
- An offer is applied: Google says an offer must be removed before asking someone else to pay.
- Another request is pending: Cancel the existing request for the same item before trying again.
- Alternative billing: A purchase processed outside Google Play’s billing system may follow different payment and support rules. Google’s alternative billing guidance
Refunds and purchase problems
The payer can view the item and may request a refund, but approval is not guaranteed. Google Play refund eligibility depends on factors such as the purchase, timing, payment method and location. Approved refunds are generally returned to the payment method used for the purchase, subject to the applicable rules. Google Play refund guidance
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- 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.
Because the payer’s payment method funded the order while the requester received the digital item, the two people may need to coordinate if a refund or reimbursement is involved. For some app-related problems, contacting the app developer may be the quickest route; many Play Store apps are made by third-party developers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How this differs from family purchase approvals
Asking someone else to pay uses a shareable link and does not require a stated family-group relationship. Family purchase approvals are a separate Google Play feature for family groups, commonly used when a family manager needs to approve a family member’s purchase. Google’s family purchase approval guide
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- 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.
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- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
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| Detail | Ask someone else to pay | Family purchase approval |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Requester shares a payment link. | A family member submits a purchase for approval. |
| Relationship | No family-group requirement is stated. | Uses a Google family setup and its approval relationship. |
| Who gets the item | The account that initiated the request. | The family member making the purchase. |
| Typical use | Asking a trusted person to pay for a specific eligible purchase. | Managing or approving purchases within a family group. |
For recurring household purchases, a Google family payment method or purchase approvals may be a better fit, but both follow their own family-group requirements. Google Families payment guidance
Quick Recap
Keep the payment request safe
- Use the payment link generated from the Google Play purchase flow, and do not proceed if a link looks unusual or leads somewhere other than Google’s payment flow.
- Confirm the requester’s full Google Play account email address through a trusted channel before completing payment.
- Never share a Google Account password, verification code, payment-card number or Play balance redemption code. Google advises users to keep account details secure. Google Play Terms
- Do not sign in to the requester’s account to make the purchase. Use your own available payment method through the link.
- Be wary if someone claiming to be a friend or relative asks for a gift-card code to cover a service or emergency. A payment link does not prevent someone from impersonating a trusted person.
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.
