How to Change Your Payment Method on Google Play

We use Google Play for everything. From downloading apps to paying for subscription services like Twitter Blue. But what do you do when it’s time to update your Google Play payment method? Sometimes debit cards expire, or our PayPal accounts become compromised. In times like these, it’s essential to update your payment method quickly.

Well, you can update your credit/debit card, PayPal information, or redeem credits on any Android device or computer. We’ll walk you through the steps in this article.

How to Change Your Google Play Payment Method on a Computer

If you prefer to use a computer to update your Google Play payment method, you can. Using a Mac or PC, follow these steps:

Note: If you use ChromeOS, you can use the steps in the next section. Open the Google Play app and update the payment method per those instructions.

Step 1: Sign into Google Play

Open a web browser and go to the Google Play website. Then, click on the profile icon in the upper right corner and sign into your account.

Note: If your web browser is already logged into a Gmail account, the Google website will log you in automatically. However, this may log you into the wrong account. So be sure to sign into the one with the payment method you’d like to update.

Step 2: Click Your Profile Icon

After signing into the correct Google Play account, click your profile icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: Click Payments and Subscriptions

Click Payments & Subscriptions in the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Click Payment Methods

Now, click Payment Methods.

Step 5: Click Add a Payment Method

Click on the option to Add a payment method.

Step 6: Change Your Payment Method

Click on the credit/debit card option. Update your new credit/debit card by inputting the 16-digit credit card number, CVV (three numbers on the back or the four numbers on the front of an American Express card), the expiration date, and your card’s billing address.

You can also update your Paypal account or redeem a code to add credits.

Note: If you’re adding a credit or debit card, ensure the name and zip code match the card. Otherwise, Google will not accept the card.

For a helpful walkthrough of these steps, check out the following video:

How to Change Your Google Play Payment Method on an Android

The Android operating system is available on a wide variety of devices. From tablets and smartphones to LG and Samsung. Whether your recently upgraded to Android or you need to change an old payment method, it’s likely you have the Google Play Store already installed (there are some exceptions to the rule, of course).

If you want to update your Google Play payment method on an Android, open the Google Play Store and follow these steps:

Note: These steps are also used for ChromeOS devices.

Step 1: Tap Your Profile Icon

Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the app.

Step 2: Tap Payments and Subscriptions

A new window will open and you can tap Payments & Subscriptions.

Step 3: Tap Payment Methods

Scroll past any current payment methods and tap Payment methods.

Step 4: Tap Add Credit or Debit Card

Now, you can tap the option to a new credit/debit card. You can also choose to add a PayPal account, redeem a code, or buy credits

Helpful hint: If a card has expired, tap Update if you still have the same card number. You can input the new expiration date and CVV rather than adding a new card.

Step 5: Update Your Google Play Payment Method

Input your card credentials (or activate the camera to make the process faster). Or, sign into your PayPal account or redeem a Google Play code.

Note: If you have a PayPal security key, you must follow the instructions to add it as a payment method on a web browser. Unfortunately, you can’t add it using the mobile app.

How to Remove a Google Play Payment Method

As you can see in our screenshots, there comes a time when you must clear out the clutter. As cards expire, they remain attached to your Google Play Store account. While you can update cards (following the steps above), you must remove old ones manually if you get a new card number.

Here’s what you can do:

Step 1: Click Your Profile Icon

Open the Google Play Store website or app. Then, sign into the correct account and click your profile icon in the upper right corner.

Step 2: Click Payments and Subscriptions

Choose the Payments & Subscriptions option in the settings.

Step 3: Click Payment Methods

Click Payment Methods.

Step 4: More Payment Settings

You won’t initially see an option to delete old payment methods. Scroll to the bottom of your screen and tap More payment settings in the Google Play app. Or click Edit payment methods on the web browser.

Step 5: Click Remove

Locate the old method and click Remove. Then, confirm you’d like to remove that card.

Basic Troubleshooting

A lot of users state they’ve had issues using or adding a payment method. If you’ve run into errors, review this section for more help.

Aside from ensuring your payment information is correct (address, name, password, etc.). Ensure that your payment method meets the proper criteria. For example, Google Play only accepts debit or credit cards backed by the following financial institutions:

• American Express
• Discover
• Visa
• Mastercard
• JCB
• Visa Electron

Also, Google won’t let you process these types of payments:

• Bank and wire transfers
• Western Union or Money Gram
• Virtual Credit Cards (VCC) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Transit cards
• Any escrow type of payment

If you continue to have trouble and have verified that everything is accurate, it’s a good idea to call your financial institution for more help. Of course, we’ve also included more helpful options in our FAQs below.

Google Play Pays

You can use Google Play to sign up for subscriptions, purchase apps, and so much more. But it’s important to keep your payment information up-to-date for it to work. Follow the simple steps above to add your new payment method.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©East pop/Shutterstock.com.