Where to request a refund depends on which store sold you the app
The store where you bought or downloaded the app controls the refund process. Most people buy apps through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore. Each one has its own refund window, its own method for requesting money back, and its own reasons it might say no. Microsoft Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, and smaller platforms have different rules too.
The refund window is the hardest limit to work around. Apple gives you 14 days from purchase to request a refund through the App Store. Google Play gives you 48 hours. Amazon typically allows 48 hours as well. If you miss that window, the store will almost always deny your request, even if the app doesn't work. Some stores let you request anyway and will occasionally make exceptions, but do not count on it.
The reason you want a refund matters less than you might think. Stores do not require you to prove the app was broken or that it lied about what it does. You can request a refund because you changed your mind, because you do not like it, or because it does not work. What matters is whether you are still inside the refund window.
Key Takeaways
- Apple App Store refunds must be requested within 14 days of purchase; Google Play and Amazon allow 48 hours.
- You request refunds through the same store where you bought the app, not through the app developer or a third party.
- The store will refund to your original payment method — the card, PayPal account, or store credit you used to buy it.
- If the store denies your first request, you can appeal once, but missing the refund window makes approval unlikely.
How to request a refund on the Apple App Store
Open the App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Purchases. Find the app you want a refund for and tap or click it. Select Report a Problem, then choose the reason that best matches why you want your money back. Apple will ask you to describe what happened in a text box — be specific about what is wrong or why you do not want it.
Apple will send you an email within 24 to 48 hours with a decision. If it approves the refund, the money goes back to your original payment method within three to five business days. If it denies the request, you can appeal once by replying to the email. Mention if the app was broken, if it did not match the description, or if you were charged without meaning to. Do not appeal just to ask again — Apple rarely changes its mind on a second request unless you give new information.
If you bought the app more than 14 days ago, Apple will almost certainly deny it. The 14-day window is firm. You can still request it, but do not expect approval.
How to request a refund on Google Play
Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right, then select Manage my apps & games. Go to the Manage tab and find the app you want a refund for. Tap it, then select Refund. Google will ask you to confirm, and the refund will process immediately.
Google Play's 48-hour window is much shorter than Apple's. If you request a refund within 48 hours of purchase, Google will almost always approve it without asking questions. After 48 hours, Google will deny the request. There is no appeal process — if you miss the window, you cannot get the money back through Google Play.
The refund goes back to your original payment method within three to five business days. If you used Google Play credit (money you added to your account), the refund appears as credit in your Play account immediately.
How to request a refund on Amazon Appstore
Go to amazon.com on a web browser or open the Amazon app. Tap or click Your Account, then select Your Apps and Devices. Find the app under the Apps section and tap or click Actions next to it. Select Return or Request Refund. Amazon will ask you to choose a reason and may ask for more details.
Amazon typically allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase, though it sometimes makes exceptions for apps that do not work as described. If you request a refund after 48 hours, Amazon may still approve it if you explain that the app was broken or misleading. There is no may provide, but Amazon's policy is slightly more flexible than Google Play's.
Refunds go back to your original payment method or Amazon account credit within three to five business days.
What happens if the store denies your refund request
If you missed the refund window, the store will deny your request. You can appeal, but the outcome rarely changes unless you have a strong reason — the app crashed every time you opened it, it charged you twice, or it was not what the listing promised. Contact the app developer directly through their website or email to report the problem. Developers sometimes issue refunds outside the store's window if the app is genuinely broken, though they are not required to.
If the store approved a refund but you do not see the money after five business days, contact the store's customer support. The delay is usually on your bank or payment provider's end, not the store's. Your bank may take an extra few days to process the credit, especially if the original purchase was on a credit card.
Refund rules for in-app purchases and subscriptions
Apps themselves and purchases inside apps (like extra levels, coins, or cosmetics) follow the same refund windows. If you bought coins inside a game and spent them, most stores will still refund the purchase if you request it within the window. Subscriptions work differently — you can cancel a subscription at any time, and the store will refund the current billing period if you cancel within a few days of being charged. The exact grace period varies by store and by subscription type.
If you want to cancel a subscription, go to your account settings in the store where you subscribed. Apple: Settings > Your Name > Subscriptions. Google Play: Manage my apps & games > Manage > tap the app > Manage subscription > Cancel subscription. Amazon: Your Account > Your Apps and Devices > Subscriptions > select the subscription > Cancel subscription. Canceling stops future charges immediately, but you keep access until the current period ends.
Refunds for apps bought on other platforms
Microsoft Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, and smaller app stores have their own refund policies. Microsoft Store allows 60 days for refunds on most apps — longer than Apple or Google. Samsung Galaxy Store typically allows 15 days. If you bought an app on a platform other than Apple, Google, or Amazon, check that platform's help section or contact its customer support directly.
Some apps are sold through the developer's own website rather than through a store. If you bought directly from the developer, you will need to contact them to request a refund. Look for a contact email or support page on their website. Developers who sell directly usually have their own refund policy, which may be more or less generous than the app stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I already downloaded and used the app?
Yes. The store does not care whether you used the app or not. You can request a refund even if you opened it, played with it, and decided you do not like it — as long as you are still within the refund window. Using the app does not disqualify you.
What if I was charged twice for the same app?
Request a refund for the duplicate charge through the store immediately. Explain in the refund request that you were charged twice. The store will almost always approve this, even if you are outside the normal refund window. If the store denies it, contact customer support and provide proof of both charges from your payment method or account statement.
Do I have to uninstall the app before requesting a refund?
No. You can request a refund while the app is still on your device. The store does not check whether you uninstalled it. After the refund is approved, you can keep the app or delete it — that is your choice.
How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?
The store processes the refund within 24 to 48 hours, but your bank may take an additional three to five business days to credit your account. If you do not see the money after a week, contact your bank to ask about the status. Provide them with the refund confirmation email from the store.
Can I request a refund for an app I bought years ago?
No. All app stores enforce strict refund windows — 14 days for Apple, 48 hours for Google and Amazon. If you bought the app more than that time ago, the store will deny the request. Your only option is to contact the app developer directly and ask if they will make an exception, but they are not required to.