Subscribe to services or content

You can subscribe for paid premium services and features on certain apps with Google Play.

When you subscribe:

  • The subscription is for an indefinite term, and you’ll be charged at the start of each billing period, according to your subscription terms, for example, weekly, annually, or another period.
  • If you accept a trial offer, you'll get an email when your trial is about to end.
    • At the end of your trial period, the first billing period begins and you automatically get charged the amount in your subscriptions terms.
    • To avoid charges, cancel the subscription before the trial period expires.
  • An authorization hold may be placed on your form of payment up to 48 hours prior to the beginning of the next renewal period, or up to 5 days before the next renewal period if you're based in India or Brazil. To remove the payment authorization, cancel the subscription before your next billing cycle begins.
  • For certain jurisdictions, you have these options:
  • You can also add a second payment method to your Google Play account to help prevent interruptions to your subscription service in case your primary payment method expires or fails. Learn how to add a backup payment method.
  • If your payment is unsuccessful, you may have a grace period to update your payment method. During the grace period, you may still be able to use your subscription. When the grace period ends, or if there's no grace period, your account may be placed on hold for up to 60 days during which you can’t use the subscription. During any grace period and account hold period, Play will periodically retry the payment. If the payment issue isn't resolved before any grace period and account hold period ends, the subscription is automatically canceled.
  • Some apps and games are restricted based on the content rating because they target only users who are 18 and above or because app developers have chosen not to make them available to users under 18. This means app visibility and purchases, including subscription sign-ups, are limited to users who meet the age criteria. Developers may change their age criteria at any time and subscriptions are subject to cancellation if your account or developer settings change and no longer fit the criteria.
  • Google may share subscription data that doesn’t personally identify you with developers to help them offer subscriptions.
  • Promotional discounts tied to a subscription will be lost on subscription cancellation.

Tip: If you use a Chromebook and have the Google Play Store installed, tap Android.

Subscribe to services & content on apps

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your Google Play Store app Google Play.
  2. Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
  3. Find and open the app that offers premium services for a fee.
  4. Tap Subscribe.
  5. Choose your subscription option and review your subscription and plan details.
  6. Select a payment method.
  7. Tap Subscribe.

Tip: To cancel a trial subscription and avoid charges, cancel your subscription before the trial period ends.

Subscribe to an app with a promo code

There are 2 types of promo codes.

If your code uses words & numbers, like HAPPYHOLIDAYS2020
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, download and install the app.
  2. In the app for your subscription, find the subscription your code applies to.
  3. Go through the checkout process until you reach the payment method listed.
    • If you don't have a payment method: add one.
  4. Next to the payment method, tap the Right arrow right arrow.
  5. Tap Redeem code.
  6. Enter your code, then follow the on-screen instructions.
  7. Confirm that your purchase uses the promotion.
  8. Tap Subscribe.
  1. Open the Google Play app Google Play.
  2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  3. Tap Payments & subscriptions and then Redeem gift code.
  4. Enter the code
  5. Tap Redeem.
  6. Download and install the app for your subscription.
  7. In the app, find the type of subscription that your code applies to.
  8. To confirm that your purchase uses the promo code, check your cart.
  9. Follow the in-app steps.
  10. To complete your subscription, open the app.

If you can't redeem or subscribe with your promo code, learn how to fix problems with codes.

Pay with Split Payment for subscriptions

What is Split Payment for subscriptions?
When you initially subscribe to services or content or upgrade your subscription tier on Google Play, "Split Payment" allows you to combine your current Google Play balance with another payment method like a credit card or PayPal to cover the cost of your initial subscription sign up or upgrade payment. This allows you to use any remaining Google Play balance towards your purchase.
Applying your Google Play balance

If the cost of your initial subscription sign up or upgrade payment is greater than your available Google Play balance, your current Google Play balance will be applied by default to the initial payment. The remaining amount due will be charged to another payment method of your choice.

Payment combinations
You can combine your Google Play balance with any other accepted payment method. However, it isn’t possible to split a payment between two non-Google Play balance payment methods. You can’t choose to apply only a portion of your Google Play balance. You must apply the entire remaining balance.
Initial payment vs. renewals
The Split Payment option applies only to the initial subscription sign up or upgrade payment. For all subsequent subscription renewal payments, only your primary payment method and any backups you’ve configured will be charged without using the split payment method again.
How to use Split Payment
  1. Go to the Google Play app Google Play.
  2. Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
  3. Find and open an app that you want to subscribe to.
  4. Tap Subscribe.
  5. Choose your subscription option.
  6. Review your subscription and plan details.
  7. If you have an available Google Play balance, your Google Play balance should automatically show up as one of the two payment methods in your purchase cart.
  8. If your available Google Play balance doesn’t show and you’d like to use Split Payment:
    1. To open the Payment Methods selection screen, tap on the displayed payment method.
    2. Toggle on Google Play balance.
    3. If you don’t wish to use your Google Play balance, toggle it off.
  9. To complete checkout, tap Subscribe.
When you can’t use Split Payment
Split Payment isn’t available for subscriptions that include a trial at no cost or other discount or promotion, or for prepaid subscription plans.

Subscribe with a prepaid plan

Prepaid plans are subscriptions for a fixed duration of time offered by some apps, and they don’t automatically renew. If your payment method doesn’t support recurring subscriptions, a prepaid plan might be a good option for you.

Unlike regular subscriptions, prepaid plans are used to purchase access to subscriptions for a set amount of time. When the term ends, you lose access to the subscription.

If you want to continue your access to the subscription after the prepaid period ends, you can:

  • Extend the prepaid plan.
  • Switch the plan to a recurring subscription.

Not all apps have a prepaid plan option available. Prepaid plans don’t support trials at no cost.

To sign up for a prepaid subscription plan:

  1. Open the Google Play app Google Play.
  2. Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
  3. Find and open the app that offers prepaid plans for a fee.
  4. Tap Subscribe.
  5. Choose the prepaid plan you want to purchase.
  6. Select a supported payment method.
  7. Tap Buy.

Automatic, balance-based purchases

As an alternative to making individual purchases of an item, some developers may offer a plan that automatically purchases the item based on your usage. You can cancel these automatic purchase plans at any time in Subscriptions on Google Play. Learn more about automatic, balance-based purchases.

Start a subscription from a website

  1. On the website that offers a subscription, select Subscribe with your Google Account or Subscribe with Google.
  2. Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google Account.
  3. Select a subscription offer, like yearly or monthly. This may depend on the types of subscription the website offers.
  4. Confirm your payment method and billing address.

Learn how to add an existing subscription to your Google Account.