How to get a refund from an app store

Each app store has its own refund process. Make sure you're using the right one:

Apple App Store (iPhone, iPad, Mac):

- reportaproblem.apple.com

- Sign in with your Apple ID

- Find the purchase and select 'Report a Problem'

Google Play Store (Android):

- play.google.com/store/account/orderhistory

- Find the order, select 'Request refund' or 'Report a problem'

Microsoft Store (Windows, Xbox):

- account.microsoft.com/billing/orders

- Find the order, select 'Refund' or 'Cancel'

Amazon Appstore (Kindle, Fire tablets):

- amazon.com/appstore/account

- Find the order and request refund

If you bought from a developer's website directly (not through an app store), you need to contact the developer directly — the app store can't help.

For Apple App Store refunds:

1. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com

2. Sign in with your Apple ID

3. Find the purchase you want to refund

4. Click 'Report a Problem' or 'Refund'

5. Select a reason:

- 'I didn't authorize this purchase'

- 'I didn't mean to purchase this'

- 'The app doesn't work as expected'

- 'I haven't received what I purchased'

6. Add a brief explanation in the comments box

7. Submit

Apple typically responds within 24-48 hours via email. Refunds are usually processed to your original payment method within 3-5 business days.

For subscriptions specifically, you can also:

- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your iPhone

- Find the subscription

- Select 'Report a Problem'

Apple is more lenient with refund requests for:

- Family Sharing purchases made by kids

- Subscriptions canceled within the first billing cycle

- Apps that crash or don't function as advertised

- Accidental purchases (especially if reported within 14 days)

For Google Play refunds:

1. Go to play.google.com/store/account/orderhistory

2. Sign in with your Google account

3. Find the order you want to refund

4. Select 'Request refund' or 'Report a problem'

5. Select a reason

6. Add explanation

7. Submit

Or via the Play Store app:

- Tap your profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Budget & order history

- Find the order

- Tap 'Request refund'

Google usually responds within 15 minutes to 4 hours. Refunds typically take 3-10 business days.

Google is more lenient with:

- Apps that don't match their description

- Accidental purchases (within 48 hours best)

- Unused subscriptions (within 14 days of billing)

- Family Library purchases

Time-sensitive: Google is most generous within 48 hours of purchase. After that, refunds get harder.

Vague reasons get denied. Specific reasons get approved.

Weak: 'I want a refund' / 'I don't want this anymore'

Strong: 'My 7-year-old son bought this game without my permission while I was driving. I have parental controls set up but they were bypassed.'

Weak: 'This app doesn't work'

Strong: 'I purchased [app name] to edit videos on iPad. After installation, the app crashes immediately upon opening. I've reinstalled twice and restarted my device. The advertised features are not functional.'

Include:

- What you bought

- Why you want a refund

- Any relevant context (child purchase, didn't work, didn't receive)

- What you've already tried (if applicable)

If the app crashed and you can provide crash details, that's helpful. If your kid bought it, mention their age and that parental controls were intended but bypassed.

Honesty matters: don't make up reasons. Refund fraud is real and can result in account closure.

If your refund request is denied:

1. Try again with a different reason

2. Contact support directly (chat, email, phone)

3. Explain the situation to a human agent

4. Be polite but firm

5. Have your order number ready

Apple Support: support.apple.com

Google Support: support.google.com

If still denied:

- Dispute the charge with your credit card company (chargeback)

- File a complaint with the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)

- File a complaint with your state's Attorney General

Chargebacks should be a last resort. If you abuse them, your account can be closed and your ability to use the app store revoked. But for legitimate issues where the merchant won't cooperate, chargebacks work.

Avoid needing refunds by preventing problems:

- Set up parental controls before giving kids a device

- Turn off in-app purchases by default

- Require password/authentication for every purchase (Face ID is fine but not ideal for kids)

- Use Family Sharing to manage all family purchases

- Review subscriptions monthly (most phones have subscription management)

- Set up purchase alerts with your bank

- Use virtual credit card numbers for digital purchases (lets you set spending limits)

The best refund is the one you never need because you didn't make the purchase in the first place. A few minutes of prevention saves hours of dealing with refund requests.