Do you rely on Google Play for apps, movies, books, and subscription services? Then you need to know how to update your payment methods when those debit/credit cards expire or accounts get compromised.
Whether you use an Android device or computer for Google Play, this comprehensive guide will teach you to seamlessly change payment information. You’ll also learn proper techniques for removing old payment methods and troubleshooting errors.
Overview: The Importance of Payment Method Updates
First launched in 2008 as the Android Market, Google Play evolved to become the official app store for the Android ecosystem.
Initially only supporting Google Checkout, the platform grew quickly, expanding to new countries and offering magazines, music, movies and more for purchase or subscription.
With this growth came more payment options as well – PayPal, gift cards, phone carrier billing and mapped payment cards.
As a Google Play customer, you may have subscribed to services like YouTube Premium. Or you likely have some purchased apps, games, books or movies in your account.
To maintain continual access, it’s essential to keep your payment information current. According to experts, expired credit cards make up over 60% of subscription cancellation reasons today.
So whether your card expired, switched banks, or had PayPal security issues, you need to know how to update details quickly.
This guide will teach you to change payment method on both Android devices and computers (as well as Chromebooks). You’ll also learn how to:
- Remove outdated payment options securely
- Choose new defaults
- Troubleshoot pesky errors adding/updating cards
Let’s get started!
Changing Google Play Payment Method on Desktop
If you make most of your Google Play purchases on a Mac or Windows PC, follow these steps to update payment details:
Step 1: Visit Google Play Website & Sign Into Account
Open Google Play by visiting play.google.com/store in any desktop web browser.
Click your profile icon in the top right and sign in to the Google account holding the payment method you wish to update:
Ensure you correctly signed into the proper account before continuing.
Step 2: Access Payment Settings
With the right Google Play account selected, click your profile icon again and choose Payments & subscriptions from the dropdown menu:
This expands available options.
Step 3: Click Payment Methods
Within payments, click to open Payment methods specifically.
By selecting this, you enter the section where cards can be added, updated or removed.
Step 4: Choose Add Payment Method
To update an existing card, click the vertical ellipses icon next to it and select Edit.
Otherwise, choose Add a payment method to insert new details like an additional credit card or PayPal account.
Google Play will securely encrypt and store any payment information you add here for future use.
Step 5: Submit New Card Details
If adding a new card, input the updated card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
You will also need to complete mandatory fields validating identity like cardholder name and full billing address.
For PayPal, simply enter your account email and password. Finally, click Save to make these newly added details your default payment method.
According to Google Play user statistics, over 75% of customers store valid credit card information for purchases. So it’s vital to keep these details current.
And that‘s it! With just five quick steps, you can update expired cards or replace compromised payment methods using the Google Play website.
Changing Google Play Payment Method on Android Devices
Since 2013, over 75 billion Android apps have been downloaded from Google Play around the world. And many users opt to store card details on their phones for easier purchases.
If you want to change payment method using an Android phone or tablet, the process works much the same:
Step 1: Open Google Play App & Go to Profile
Whether already logged in or not, tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the Google Play app. Sign into the proper account as needed.
Step 2: Choose Payments & Subscriptions
This will prompt the slide-out navigation menu. Select the payments and subscriptions line to enter that section, usually third from the top.
Just like on desktop, this menu holds all your payment setting options.
Step 3: Click on Payment Methods
Within payments, choose payment methods to view any stored cards, PayPal accounts or gift balances.
From here, you can edit, add or remove options.
Step 4: Add New Credit/Debit Card
To update an existing card, choose Update. Or tap Add credit or debit card to provide new details.
Adding a card only takes seconds and Google encrypts all entered information for security.
Step 5: Enter Updated Payment Information
Carefully enter your new card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
You’ll also need to complete mandatory identity verification fields. Finally, click Save to make this updated card the default payment method.
And voila! With just a few taps in the Google Play app, you can update expired debit/credit cards or replace compromised accounts.
The process works identically on Chromebooks since they utilize the Google Play store for apps.
Removing Outdated Google Play Payment Methods
Let’s switch gears to discuss the importance of removing outdated cards and payment methods you no longer use.
As you update expired credit/debit cards over the years, older details remain saved in your Google payments profile by default.
Security & Disruption Implications
While rarely an issue, cyber criminals can theoretically compromise expired cards still on file if your Google account gets hacked.
More realistically, outdated payment methods can also cause subscription disruption if they remain on accident.
For example, if an old card number fails to renew your YouTube Premium membership, you could lose access.
Removing Old Payment Methods
To properly delete outdated or unused options:
On Desktop
- Revisit Payment methods
- Click Edit payment methods (bottom of page)
- Choose Remove by irrelevant cards/accounts
- Confirm deletion
On Android
- Go back into Payment methods
- Scroll down and tap More payment settings
- Select the Remove button on unneeded methods
- Verify the removal
Taking this quick extra step gives peace of mind that your Google payments profile remains tidy and secure.
Troubleshooting Payment Method Errors
Have you ever encountered an error trying to add a valid credit card or other payment option? Many Google Play customers have.
Review the troubleshooting suggestions below if you’re having problems:
| Issue | Likely Reason | Troubleshooting Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Card keeps getting declined | Inaccurate billing details entered | Double check that cardholder name, ZIP code/postal code, and address exactly match card records |
| Unsupported card type | Google Play only directly accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover cards. Prepaid/gift/virtual cards typically don‘t work | |
| Can‘t add PayPal | Incorrect login credentials | Carefully reenter the right associated email and PayPal account password |
| PayPal security key required | Keys currently can only be enabled for Google payments via desktop web browsers | |
| Card saves but doesn‘t work at checkout | Pending fraud alert | Contact your bank to remove any transaction restrictions and confirm they allow internet payments |
| Can‘t save new payment method | Google Play cache/data corruption | On Android, go to Play Store app settings and choose to clear cache and storage data, then reenter card |
| Errors persist on desktop | Potential browser issues | Try again on a different web browser like Chrome if using Firefox, or vice versa, to rule out software conflicts |
For any other payment method issues, double check accuracy of all entered cardholder details. If the problem continues, contact Google Play support or your bank for additional troubleshooting.
Now that payments are fluid again, it‘s time to go purchase that hot new app!
Customizing Google Play Purchase Defaults
Beyond just changing payment method, you can also set some Google Play spending defaults:
Identify Current Default Card
Whichever payment method lacks an "Edit" link/button on the management page is your default for purchases.
Pay With Different Card Once
During checkout flows on apps or purchases, tap payment option to select an alternate method for that single transaction.
Set Default Payment Card on Android
In the Google Pay app, tap desired card > Details > Make default for tap to pay
Unfortunately Google Play itself doesn‘t give option to pick defaults. But these workarounds provide some control over accounts.
Key Takeaways: Changing Google Play Payment Methods
As you can see, keeping payment methods current on Google Play ensures your ability to continually purchase apps, retain subscriptions, and buy media.
Here are the key things to remember:
- Expired debit/credit cards or compromised PayPal accounts should get updated quickly
- Removing outdated payment data minimizes security risks
- Changing payment details can be done seamlessly via either desktop or Android app
- Troubleshooting tips help resolve any errors adding new cards
- You can customize some default purchase settings as well
Using this comprehensive guide, changing your Google Play payment method is a breeze. Just tap or click through a few menus and update your details.
Now get back to seamlessly buying apps, subscribing to services, or accessing all your favorite movies and books!
