Purchase verification for Google Play

Turning on purchase verification helps prevent unauthorized purchases on your device.

When purchase verification settings are turned off, it may result in unauthorized purchases. You assume responsibility for all charges including unintended or unauthorized purchases.

Tips:

• To keep your account secure, review and update your purchase verification settings.
• Verification settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system on the device where the setting is selected.
• When you create a family group on Google Play, your family members can use the family payment method to make purchases through Google Play's billing system. Learn how to create a family on Google and manage your family on Google.
• If needed, you can change or reset your Google Account password.

Depending on your region, when making purchases through Google Play, regardless of your device, you may be prompted to verify the purchase in the following ways:

• Google Play purchase verification (e.g., PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics): This verification is for your specific device and Play account, and it is provided by Google.
• Payment method verification: Some payment methods (such as UPI in India, pay at convenience store or with bank transfer, and others) have their own, separate verification process often via an app or login for that specific payment method. Google does not control this verification process.

Biometrics refers to any fingerprint or face models stored on your device. Biometrics, when enabled for Play purchase verification, can be used for verifying purchases in place of other methods like PIN, pattern, or password.

Keep in mind that any biometrics stored on your device can be used for verification. If you share your device and choose biometrics as your verification method, ensure you’re comfortable with all biometrics stored on your device being used for verification.

If your setting is based on frequency of verification, you will select on what frequency you want Google Play to verify your purchases. Your choices are:

• Always (default setting): Verification is required for every purchase through Google Play's billing system, including within apps.
• Every 30 minutes (mobile device only): Every time you verify a purchase, you can continue to make purchases through Google Play's billing system (including within apps) for the next 30 minutes without verifying again.
• Never: Verification isn’t required for any purchases through Google Play’s billing system.

Tips:

• Even if your frequency-based verification setting is “Always” or “Every 30 minutes," Google Play may not verify the purchase for certain payment methods, such as pay at convenience store or with bank transfer.
• Verification is always required for every purchase made through Google Play’s billing system for an app or game designed for ages 12 and under, and may also occur for potentially unusual activity on the account, even if you have your settings set differently.

If your setting is based on payment method, you can choose when you require Google Play purchase verification to take place. These options give you the choice to skip Play verification in cases where your payment method already includes a separate verification process. This can simplify your purchase experience while still helping you keep your purchases secure. Your choices are:

• All payment methods: Play purchase verification will be required in addition to any verification required by your payment method.
• Only those without a separate verification process: Payment methods that don’t have a separate verification process will require Play verification, while those that have a separate process will not require Play verification.
• None: Play will not ask for your verification.

Tips:

• Verification is always required for every purchase made through Google Play’s billing system for an app or game designed for ages 12 and under, and may also occur for potentially unusual activity on the account, even if you have your settings set differently.
• If you require purchase verification for “All payment methods," you may have to complete purchase verification twice for payment methods that have a separate verification process: once with Google Play and once with your payment method.

You can view which payment methods will require Google Play verification if your setting is “Only those without a separate verification process:"

Except for your play.google.com settings and certain Google Assistant settings, which apply across devices, Play verification settings apply only to the active account on the device where you set them. If you use your Google Account on more than one device, repeat the steps below for each device. If you use multiple accounts on your device, repeat the steps below for each account on the device.

Tip: You can help prevent accidental purchases on your device from apps and games available outside of the Family section by turning on purchase verification. In apps or games designed for ages 12 and under, Google Play will re-verify the user before they can buy anything in-app. This helps ensure that the child’s purchase is approved by the financially responsible person.