You see a charge from Google Play on your statement because you, or someone with access to your account, made a purchase. These charges cover everything from app subscriptions to movie rentals. Finding the source of the charge is simple. You just need to check a few places within your Google account.
Check for Subscriptions
The most common reason for unexpected Google Play charges is an active subscription. Many apps use a subscription model for ongoing access to services or premium features. You might sign up for a free trial and forget to cancel it before it converts to a paid plan. These charges are automatic and recur on a set schedule, like monthly or yearly.
To find your active subscriptions, follow these steps.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device visit website g.co/playcontinue.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Payments & subscriptions” and then tap “Subscriptions.”
Here, you will see a list of all your active and expired subscriptions. This screen shows you how much you are paying for each service and when the next payment is due. You can manage or cancel any unwanted subscriptions directly from this menu. Reviewing this list is the best first step to identify a recurring charge.
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Review Your Purchase History
If the charge is not from a subscription, it is likely a one-time purchase. Google Play keeps a detailed record of every transaction linked to your account. This purchase history includes all paid apps, games, movies, books, and in-app purchases. An in-app purchase is anything you buy from within an app, such as extra lives in a game or a premium feature upgrade.
You can view your full purchase history to pinpoint the exact item that caused the charge.
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon, then select “Payments & subscriptions.”
- Choose “Budget & history.”
This list shows every single purchase, the date it was made, and how much it cost. Scroll through this history and match the charge amount and date to the one on your bank statement. This will almost always reveal what the charge was for. The description on your bank statement is often generic, but your Google Play purchase history provides specific details.
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Consider Other Purchase Sources
Sometimes the charge does not come from your own activity. If you are part of a Google Family Library, another member might have made the purchase. As the family manager, you provide the family payment method that other members use to buy content. When a family member buys an app, movie, or makes an in-app purchase, the charge appears on your account. You should check with your family members to see if any of them recently bought something from the Play Store. You can also set up purchase approvals to require your permission for all or some purchases made by family members.
Another source of confusion is pre-orders. When you pre-order an app, game, or movie, Google does not charge you right away. The charge occurs only when the item is released and delivered to your account. You might forget about a pre-order you made months ago, so the charge seems random when it finally appears. Your purchase history will show these transactions as well.
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Report Unauthorized Charges
After checking your subscriptions, purchase history, and with your family, you might still not recognize a charge. In this case, the charge could be fraudulent. Before you report it, do one last check. Think if anyone else, like a friend or child, has access to your phone or Google password. It is common for people to forget they shared their login details.
If you are certain that you and no one you know made the purchase, you must report the unauthorized charge to Google immediately. You can do this directly from your Google Play account. Reporting the charge quickly is important for protecting your account from further unauthorized activity. Google will investigate the claim and help you secure your account. This process usually involves filling out a form to describe the transaction you do not recognize. Taking this step ensures your financial information remains safe.
