Where to request a refund depends on which store sold you the app
The store that charged you is the only one that can refund you. If you bought the app on Apple's App Store, you request the refund from Apple. If you bought it on Google Play, you request it from Google. If you bought it on Amazon Appstore, you request it from Amazon. Each store has its own refund process and its own time limit for how long after purchase you can ask.
You cannot get a refund directly from the app developer. The developer never sees your payment information — the store handles the transaction and keeps a cut of the money. The store is also the one that decides whether to refund you, based on its own policy and the reason you give.
Key Takeaways
- Apple, Google, and Amazon each have different refund windows and different processes, so the method depends on which store you used.
- Apple gives you 14 days from purchase to request a refund through your account settings; Google Play gives you 48 hours for most apps.
- You do not need to uninstall the app before requesting a refund, but the store may revoke your access to it after the refund is processed.
- If the store denies your refund request, you can appeal once, but the decision is usually final after that.
How to request a refund on Apple's App Store
On Apple, you have 14 days from the date of purchase to request a refund. You do this through your account, not by contacting Apple support directly. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select Media & Purchases, then Account. Tap Purchase History, find the app, and tap the three dots next to it. Choose Report a Problem, then select the reason — most commonly "I would like a refund for this purchase" or "This app does not work as described."
Apple will show you a form where you explain why you want the refund. Be specific: say whether the app crashed, did not have a feature you expected, or straightforward was not what you wanted. After you submit, Apple reviews your request and usually responds within 48 hours. If approved, the refund goes back to your original payment method — the card, Apple ID balance, or other source you used to buy it.
If Apple denies the refund, you can appeal once. Tap Report a Problem again, select the same purchase, and choose "I would still like to request a refund." Explain further why you believe you deserve one. After this second request, Apple's decision is final.
How to request a refund on Google Play
Google Play gives you 48 hours from purchase to request a refund for most apps. Open the Google Play app on your phone, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Manage Your Google Play Account, then go to Purchases. Find the app, tap it, and select Request a Refund. Choose your reason from the list — "Not as described," "Does not work," or "Changed my mind" are the most common.
After you submit, Google processes the refund automatically in most cases. The money returns to your original payment method within a few business days. Unlike Apple, Google does not send you a message asking you to explain further — the refund either goes through or it does not based on whether you are within the 48-hour window.
If you miss the 48-hour window, you cannot request a refund through the app. Your only option is to contact Google Play support directly through the Help Center and explain your situation. Google may make an exception if the app is genuinely broken or misleading, but this is not may provide.
How to request a refund on Amazon Appstore
Amazon gives you seven days from purchase to request a refund. Open the Amazon Appstore app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Your Apps & Subscriptions, then Your Apps. Find the app you want to refund, tap the three dots next to it, and select Return. Amazon asks you to confirm and may ask why you want to return it. After you confirm, the refund is usually processed within one business day.
Amazon's process is the most straightforward of the three stores — there is no appeal process, but refunds within the seven-day window are almost always approved without question. The money goes back to the payment method you used.
What happens to the app after you get a refund
After the refund is processed, the store may revoke your access to the app. On Apple and Google, this usually happens within a few hours. You will no longer be able to open the app, and if you try, you will see a message saying you need to purchase it again. On Amazon, access is sometimes revoked when ready and sometimes within 24 hours.
If you have already downloaded the app to your phone, the app file remains on your device, but it will not run. You cannot use it unless you purchase it again. If you uninstall it before the refund is processed, that does not affect the refund — the store tracks the purchase, not the file on your phone.
Refund windows and time limits by store
| Store | Refund Window | How to Request | Appeal Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | 14 days from purchase | Settings > Your Name > Media & Purchases > Purchase History > Report a Problem | Yes, one appeal |
| Google Play | 48 hours from purchase | Google Play app > Profile > Manage Account > Purchases > Request a Refund | No, contact support only |
| Amazon Appstore | 7 days from purchase | Appstore app > Menu > Your Apps & Subscriptions > Return | No |
What to do if the store denies your refund
If you have already used your one appeal or are outside the refund window, you can contact the store's support team directly. Apple, Google, and Amazon all have support pages where you can submit a request. Explain your situation clearly — for example, if the app is broken, describe exactly what does not work. If the app was misrepresented, explain what the listing said versus what you actually got.
Support may make an exception if you have a strong reason. Common exceptions include apps that crash when ready after opening, apps that do not match their description, or apps that were purchased by accident (especially by children). Support will not usually refund you straightforward because you changed your mind after the window closes, but it is worth asking if something went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to uninstall the app before requesting a refund?
No. You can request a refund whether the app is installed or not. The store tracks the purchase in your account, not the file on your phone. Uninstalling does not speed up the refund or change whether you get one.
Can I get a refund if I bought the app more than two weeks ago?
It depends on the store and your reason. Apple allows 14 days, Google allows 48 hours, and Amazon allows 7 days. After those windows close, you can contact support and explain why you want a refund, but approval is not may provide. Stores are more likely to make exceptions for broken apps than for apps you straightforward did not like.
What if I bought the app as a gift for someone else?
The refund goes back to the payment method of whoever made the purchase, not the person who received the gift. If you bought it with your card, the refund comes back to your card. The recipient cannot request the refund themselves — the purchaser has to do it.
Will the refund appear when ready in my bank account?
No. The store processes the refund within one to two business days, but your bank may take an additional three to five business days to post it. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement. If you paid with a debit card, it may take longer because the bank has to reverse the transaction.
Can I request a refund for an in-app purchase instead of the app itself?
Yes, the same process applies. In-app purchases have the same refund windows as the app itself — 14 days on Apple, 48 hours on Google, 7 days on Amazon. Go to your purchase history, find the in-app purchase, and request a refund the same way you would for the app.