Google Play allows you to purchase apps, games, movies, books, and more from the Google Play Store. To make purchases, you need to add money to your Google Play account balance. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to add funds and top up your Google Play balance using different payment methods.
Table of Contents
Connect a Payment Method
The first step is to connect a payment method to your Google account. This allows you to add funds instantly whenever you need to. Here are the steps:
- Open the Play Store app on your Android device or visit play.google.com on your computer.
- Tap on the profile icon in the top-right and select Payments & subscriptions.
- Under the Payment methods section, tap Add payment method.
- Choose the payment method you want to add – credit/debit card, carrier billing, PayPal, or gift cards.
- Enter your payment details and billing address then tap Add card to save it.
You can add multiple payment methods and set one as the default for faster checkout when adding funds.
Add Funds from the Play Store App
Once you’ve connected a payment method, adding funds from your Android device is simple:
- Open the Play Store app and tap on the profile icon.
- Select Payments & subscriptions > Add funds to balance.
- Enter the amount you’d like to add. The minimum is $5.
- Tap on the payment method to use or Add new to add another.
- Confirm the details and tap Add funds to proceed.
The amount will instantly be added to your Play account balance.
Add Funds from the Play Store Website
You can also add funds from the Play Store website in your computer’s browser:
- Go to play.google.com/store and click on your profile icon.
- Click on Payments & subscriptions.
- Under Account balance, click Add.
- Enter the amount to add and select payment method.
- Click Add funds to finish.
The money will be instantly credited into your account balance.
Redeem a Google Play Gift Card
Google Play gift cards allow you to add funds without using a payment method. You can redeem gift card codes in the Play Store app:
- Tap the profile icon and go to Payments & subscriptions.
- Scroll down and tap on Redeem gift code.
- Enter the gift card’s 16-digit claim code and tap Redeem.
If you have a physical gift card with a scratch-off code, simply scratch the panel to reveal the code and enter it. The value of the gift card will then be added to your Play account balance automatically.
Enable Automatic Top-Ups
You can set up automatic top-ups for your Play account balance to save time. This will add funds to your balance whenever it goes below a set limit:
- Open Play Store and go to your Payments & subscriptions page.
- Under Account balance, tap Set up automatic top-up.
- Choose the payment method and enter the top-up amount.
- Set the balance limit for top-ups to occur. For example, $10.
- Tap Confirm to enable automatic top-ups.
Now every time your account balance drops below $10, your selected payment method will automatically be charged to add funds back to $25.
Check Your Play Account Balance
To check your current Google Play balance:
- Open the Play Store app and tap on your profile.
- Your current account balance is shown at the top under your name.
On the Play Store website, click your profile icon > Payments & subscriptions to see your balance details.
Use Play Balance for Purchases
When you make a purchase or subscription on Google Play, your account balance is automatically used before any connected payment method.
To specifically pay for something with only your Play store credit:
- Go to checkout and select your payment method.
- Toggle on the switch for Use Play balance to pay solely with your balance.
This ensures connected payment methods are not charged, using only your Play account funds for the transaction.
Play Balance Policies and Details
Here are some key things to note about Google Play account balances:
- Balances do not expire, but inactive accounts lose funds after 2 years.
- Up to $2000 can be added in a single top-up transaction.
- Gift card redemption is limited to $500 per day.
- Play balances can only be used in the same country they were added from.
- Refunds are credited back to your Play Store balance.
