Possibly—but the announced settlement was not a refund for every Android app purchase. Minnesota and 52 other attorneys general said eligible consumers were people who made qualifying Google Play purchases from August 2016 through September 2023 and were harmed by the practices alleged in their lawsuit. The announcement said eligible consumers would not need to file a claim, but it does not establish whether payments are still available today.
What the Google Play settlement covers
On December 19, 2023, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a $700 million agreement between Google and Minnesota plus 52 other attorneys general. The announcement allocated $630 million to consumer restitution, before costs and fees. The states brought the case in 2021 over alleged anticompetitive conduct in Google Play.
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The lawsuit alleged that Google unlawfully monopolized Android app distribution and in-app payment processing. State officials described concerns including restrictions on competing app stores and requirements to use Google Billing for in-app purchases. These were allegations in the case—not a finding that every purchase was unlawful or that each buyer was overcharged.
The consumer fund was intended for people harmed by the alleged conduct who made qualifying Google Play purchases during the specified period. The settlement announcement does not provide an individual payment estimate or establish that a particular person qualifies. Minnesota Attorney General’s December 19, 2023 announcement
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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.
Who could qualify—and who is not automatically covered
The announcement identified purchases made from August 2016 through September 2023 as the relevant period. That is narrower than the headline’s “last 10 years” framing: it does not include purchases after September 2023, and the announcement does not say that every Android user or every app buyer qualifies.
- Potentially relevant: a Google Play purchase within the stated period, alongside the requirement that the consumer was harmed by the alleged practices.
- Not enough on its own: owning an Android phone, downloading a free app, or buying an app outside Google Play. The announcement does not establish that these circumstances alone qualify.
- Not established: whether any specific reader meets the eligibility criteria or what amount they might receive.
The original 2021 state announcement describes the lawsuit’s allegations and participating states; it should not be read as a ruling that every purchase was improper. Minnesota Attorney General’s July 7, 2021 announcement
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.
What the 2023 announcement said about getting paid
According to the state’s announcement, eligible consumers would be paid automatically through PayPal or Venmo, with the option to elect a check or ACH transfer. It said no claim form was required and that further details about the process would follow. The announcement is dated 2023, however, and does not confirm whether distributions remain open or what steps, if any, consumers can take now.
For that reason, do not treat the announcement as proof that a payment is currently available or that you should submit a new claim. The cited state release is the basis for the announced process, not confirmation of its present status.
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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.
What to do if you think you were affected
Use official state or settlement information to verify any current instructions before sharing financial or personal information. The 2023 announcement said a claim was unnecessary for eligible consumers; it did not authorize a paid service to file one on your behalf. No per-person payout is established in the announcement, so a specific payment amount should not be assumed.
Quick Recap
Best 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.
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.
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.
