Where to request a refund depends on which store sold you the app
The store where you bought the app — Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore, or Windows Store — is the only place that can issue a refund. You cannot get money back directly from the app maker. Each store has its own refund window and process, and they do not all work the same way.
Most stores give you a short window to request a refund after purchase, usually 14 to 15 days. After that, refunds become much harder to obtain. The clock starts the moment you buy the app, not when you first open it.
If you bought the app years ago or cannot remember where you bought it, check your email for a receipt. The receipt will name the store and include a link to your account or the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Apple App Store refunds must be requested within 14 days of purchase through your account settings or by contacting Apple Support directly.
- Google Play Store allows 48 hours to request a refund for most apps, though some countries have longer windows.
- After the refund window closes, you can still contact the store and explain the problem, but approval is not may provide.
- Keep your receipt and a clear description of what went wrong — crashes, false advertising, or features that do not work — because the store will ask for details.
- Refunds typically appear in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after approval.
Apple App Store refunds within 14 days
On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the App Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Purchases, then find the app you want to refund. Tap the three dots next to it and choose Report a Problem. Select the reason — such as "This app does not work as described" or "I accidentally purchased this" — and submit your request.
You can also go to reportaproblem.apple.com on any device, sign in with your Apple ID, find the app in your purchase history, and report it the same way. Apple will review your request and usually respond within 24 to 48 hours. If approved, the refund goes back to your original payment method.
If you are outside the 14-day window, you can still contact Apple Support through the same process and explain what went wrong. Apple sometimes makes exceptions for apps that crash repeatedly or do not match their description, but there is no may provide. The longer you wait, the less likely approval becomes.
Google Play Store refunds within 48 hours
Open the Google Play Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right. Select Manage my apps & games, then go to the Installed tab. Find the app and tap it. Select Refund at the top of the screen. Google will ask you to confirm and may ask why you want the refund. Submit the request.
Google Play gives you 48 hours from purchase to request a refund in most countries. Some regions allow longer — check your local laws. If you request a refund within this window, Google usually approves it automatically without asking questions. The money returns to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
After 48 hours, you can still contact Google Play Support, but refunds are not automatic. Explain the problem clearly — the app crashes, does not open, or does not work as advertised. Google reviews these cases individually and may deny the request if the app has been installed for a long time or used extensively.
Amazon Appstore and Windows Store refunds
Amazon Appstore refunds must be requested through your Amazon account. Go to Your Account, select Your Apps and Devices, find the app, and look for a refund option. Amazon typically allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase. If you do not see a refund button, contact Amazon Customer Service and provide your order number.
Windows Store (now called Microsoft Store) handles refunds through your Microsoft account. Go to your account settings, find Purchase history, locate the app, and select Get support. Microsoft allows refunds within 60 days of purchase for most apps, which is longer than Apple or Google. Explain why you want the refund, and Microsoft will review your request.
What to do if your refund request is denied
If the store denies your refund request, you have a few options. First, contact the store's customer support directly and provide more detail about the problem. Explain whether the app crashes, does not open, or does not match its description. Include screenshots or video if possible. Sometimes a human reviewer will approve a refund that the automated system rejected.
If the app genuinely does not work, you can also report it to the store as a technical issue. Apple, Google, and Microsoft all have processes for flagging broken apps. This does not may provide a refund, but it creates a record that the app has problems, which may help your case.
If you paid with a credit card or debit card, you can also dispute the charge with your bank or card issuer. Explain that the app does not work or does not match its description. Your bank may reverse the charge even if the app store refuses. This should be your last option, because disputing a charge can affect your account with the store.
Refunds for in-app purchases and subscriptions
In-app purchases — items you buy inside an app after downloading it — follow the same rules as the app itself. On Apple, go to Settings > Your Name > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, find the purchase, and tap Report a Problem. Apple gives you 90 days to request a refund for in-app purchases, which is longer than for the app itself.
On Google Play, open the app where you made the purchase, go to Settings or Account, find the purchase, and select Refund. Google allows 48 hours for in-app purchase refunds, the same as for apps.
Subscriptions are harder to refund because you are paying for ongoing access. If you want to stop a subscription, cancel it immediately — most stores will not refund the current billing period, but cancellation stops future charges. If you were charged twice or the subscription renewed without your permission, contact the store and request a refund for the duplicate or unauthorized charge.
How long refunds take to appear
After the store approves your refund, the money does not arrive instantly. It goes back to your original payment method — the credit card, debit card, PayPal account, or gift card you used to buy the app. Most stores say refunds take 5 to 10 business days, but some take longer.
If you paid with a credit or debit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement. If you paid with a gift card, the money returns to your gift card balance. If you paid with PayPal, the refund goes back to your PayPal account, and you can transfer it to your bank if you want.
If more than 10 business days have passed and you do not see the refund, contact the store again with your refund confirmation number. Ask them to check the status. If the store says the refund was processed, contact your bank or card issuer — sometimes refunds get delayed on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I already used the app a lot?
It depends on the store and how much you used it. Apple and Google are more likely to deny refunds if the app has been open many times or used for a long time. If the app genuinely does not work or crashes, explain that in your request — stores sometimes make exceptions for broken apps even if you used them. After the refund window closes, approval becomes unlikely unless the app is clearly defective.
What if the app description was misleading or false?
Report the app to the store as misleading or false advertising, and request a refund based on that reason. Stores take false advertising seriously and are more likely to approve refunds in these cases. Provide specific examples of what the description promised versus what the app actually does. You can also report the app itself so the store can investigate and potentially remove it.
Do I have to uninstall the app to get a refund?
No. You can request a refund while the app is still on your device. However, if your refund is approved, the app may stop working or you may lose access to it. Uninstall it after the refund is confirmed to avoid confusion.
Can I get a refund if I bought the app as a gift?
If you bought the app as a gift using a gift card or gift code, the refund goes back to the gift card or code, not to your payment method. The person who received the gift can request the refund themselves if they have access to the account. If you bought it as a gift using your own payment method, you can request the refund, but it will return to your card, not theirs.
What if the store will not refund me but the app is broken?
Contact the app maker directly through their website or support email and explain the problem. They may offer a workaround or fix, or they may ask the store to issue a refund on your behalf. You can also dispute the charge with your bank if the app genuinely does not work as described. This is your last option and should only be used if the store refuses and the app is clearly defective.