Skip to content
Get a quote

Google Play rejectionGoogle Play: Payments policy (Play billing)

Google Play’s Payments policy says apps that charge for digital features, content or subscriptions must use Google Play’s billing system, and may not lead users to another payment method, unless one of the policy’s exceptions applies. Physical goods and services are the opposite case: Play billing must not be used where payment is primarily for them.

Rather hand it over? App Fix Ticket: One reproducible bug in an existing mobile or web app, diagnosed and fixed.

Pay $450 for a DiagnosisAsk a question first

Full refund if Simon can’t take it on once he sees your project, or if you cancel before work starts. Refund terms.

Short answer

Unless one of the policy’s exceptions applies, move every purchase of digital content, app features or subscriptions in the Android app to Google Play’s billing system, and remove the buttons, links, webviews and sign-up steps that send users to a web checkout. Keep physical goods and services on your own payment processor. Make the in-app prices match the Play billing screen, then send an update for review.

Rather not fix it yourself? App Fix Ticket starts with a fixed-price diagnosis, then a fixed price for the fix before any fix work.

Why Google Play flagged the payments, and the fix

  1. 01

    Digital features are sold through another processor

    “must use Google Play’s billing system for those transactions unless Section 3, 8, or 9 applies.” Google Play, Payments

    Google lists virtual currencies, subscriptions, an ad-free version, new features and cloud software such as data storage among the purchases that need Play billing. Unless Section 3, 8 or 9 applies, a Stripe or PayPal checkout for these in the Android app has to move to Google Play’s billing system.

  2. 02

    The app points users to a web checkout

    “apps may not lead users to a payment method other than Google Play's billing system.” Google Play, Payments

    The ban on leading users elsewhere covers the store listing, in-app promotions, webviews, buttons, links and messages, and account creation or sign-up flows. Unless Section 3, 8 or 9 applies, remove prompts such as “upgrade on the website” from the Android build.

  3. 03

    Physical goods or services go through Play billing

    “for the purchase or rental of physical goods (such as groceries, clothing, housewares, electronics)” Google Play, Payments

    The opposite mistake. Groceries, clothing, transport, cleaning, food delivery, live event tickets, peer-to-peer payments and tax exempt donations must not use Play billing. Keep them on your own processor.

  4. 04

    Prices or terms don’t match

    “In-app pricing must match the pricing displayed in the user-facing Play billing interface.” Google Play, Payments

    Also check: the price shown in the app is the price on the Play billing screen, and the store listing says when a feature it describes needs an extra payment.

Checked against the vendor’s docs on : Google Play Help: Payments policy; Google Play Help: Subscriptions policy.

Rather hand it over?

Fixed scope, fixed price, paid upfront. The work happens in writing; no call needed.

“Very responsive, attentive to fixing bugs, and completed the project as needed! Thank you!”
A buyer in the United States, July 2022. Shopify on Fiverr
All 127 Fiverr reviews

Related: Google Play Subscriptions policy · Google Play Billing Library deprecated · App Store Guideline 3.1.1 in-app purchase · Google Play Metadata policy

Questions

More on this launch

Can the Android app keep a Stripe checkout?

Only for payments that must not use Play billing, such as physical goods, physical services, peer-to-peer payments and tax exempt donations, or under another exception in the policy. Digital features and subscriptions need Google Play’s billing system.

Is there an alternative billing option?

In eligible countries and regions, yes. Developers may offer an alternative billing system in the app, or lead users outside the app, if they enroll in the applicable program and agree to its additional terms and requirements.

Does the store listing count?

Yes. The policy names an app’s listing in Google Play among the places that may not lead users to a payment method other than Google Play’s billing system.

Can you fix it for me?

If one bug is the whole problem, the App Fix Ticket covers it: a written diagnosis first, then the fix. If the app has more going on, the Launch Check is a written check of the whole app. Each issue found is rated critical, high, medium or low, with where it is and how it was confirmed. No issues worth fixing, no charge. If the Launch Check finds nothing rated medium or higher, Simon refunds the full $450. You keep the report either way. This applies to the first 10 Launch Checks bought after October 30, 2026.

Something else?

Describe it and get a written quote

Describe the app and where it is in the launch. You get a written scope, a fixed price and a timeline; Simon replies by email, usually within one business day.

Describe your problem All fixes