Skip to main content

Fight temptation and protect your Android against in-app purchases

The temptation to spend a few dollars within your favorite Android apps is always there — especially if you’re an avid gamer — but that small amount can rapidly snowball into a large sum of money if you’re not careful. Conversely, you might not be tempted, but if someone else often uses your Android phone or tablet, then it may also be wise to secure it from accidental (or purposeful) purchases that could come back to bite you in the wallet.

Luckily, it’s easy to protect yourself against this on Android devices. We put together a quick guide to help you better fend off the hungry in-app purchase beast lurking in many, many apps.

Use a password

Google has a couple of ways to ensure that your device is protected against unintended purchases, but the most common across all Android devices is to use a password. Here’s how:

Step 1: Tap to open the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Tap the Hamburger icon (three lines) on the left side of the search bar.

Step 3: Tap Settings listed on the roll-out menu.

Step 4: Tap Require Authentication for Purchases.

Step 5: Tap one of the three options.

Step 6: Type in your Google Account password to confirm the change.

Even if you don’t activate this option, Google Play will always ask for your account password in apps with a 12-or-under age rating. This way, it will do the same for every in-app purchase.

Use biometric authentication

Another way to prevent unwanted in-app purchases is to use biometric authentication. This requires a scan of your finger or face versus manually tapping in a password each time. Here’s how to toggle this setting on:

Step 1: Tap to open the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Tap the Hamburger icon (three lines) on the left side of the search bar.

Step 3: Tap Settings listed on the roll-out menu.

Step 4: Tap Biometric Authentication.

Step 5: Type in your Google Account password to confirm the change.

Remember that Google Play will always ask for your account password in apps with a 12-or-under age rating, even if you don’t enable the option to verify all purchases. This option will prompt Google Play to demand your account password for all transactions you make on new apps.

We highly recommend enabling biometric authentication if you want to ensure the best purchase protection. Passwords are often not as secure and can land in the wrong hands. With a fingerprint or face scanner, even if someone has your password, they can’t make any purchases.

With the rapid pace of technological innovations, you can find biometric authentication on many Android smartphones, even budget models. Most companies recognize biometric verification as one of the most secure ways to protect accounts and identities from hackers and, therefore, use it more and more. Setting up biometric authentication is easy, too.

Manage those kids!

Managing in-app purchases doesn’t just apply to your phone. Perhaps you have kids with Android devices, and you want to make sure they’re not draining the credit card associated with the main account. For instance, your daughter may play Animal Jam, but you don’t want her purchasing sapphires by the truckload — that would be financially catastrophic. Here’s how to nip that in the bud:

Step 1: Tap to open the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Tap the Hamburger icon (three lines) on the left side of the search bar.

Step 3: Tap Account.

Step 4: Swipe a finger left until you reach the Family page.

Step 5: Tap Manage Family Members.

Step 6: Tap on the family member you want to restrict.

Step 7: Tap Purchase Approvals.

Step 8: Tap one of four options on the list.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
The best tablets in 2024: top 11 tablets you can buy now
Disney+ app on the iPad Air 5.

As much as we love having the best smartphones in our pockets, there are times when those small screens don't cut it and we just need a larger display. That's when you turn to a tablet, which is great for being productive on the go and can be a awesome way to unwind and relax too. While the tablet market really took off after the iPad, it has grown to be quite diverse with a huge variety of products — from great budget options to powerhouses for professionals.

We've tried out a lot of tablets here at Digital Trends, from the workhorses for pros to tablets that are made for kids and even seniors -- there's a tablet for every person and every budget. For most people, though, we think Apple's iPad Air is the best overall tablet — especially if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. But if you're not an Apple user, that's fine too; there are plenty of other great options that you'll find in this roundup.

Read more
The 5 best wireless chargers for Android and iPhone in 2024
OnePlus 8 Pro Wireless Charger Back

Wireless charging has made its way into most of the best phones and many other devices, such as charging cases for some of the best wireless earbuds. This makes a a wireless charger a nice accessory on the desk or bedside table. There are a lot of wireless chargers on the market, and like any piece of tech, it can be difficult to tell which may be the best for your needs. That’s why we’ve made some selections for the best wireless chargers for various use-cases. Read onward to find out which wireless chargers we think are the best, and for more information on which may best suit your needs.
The best wireless chargers in 2024

Buy the

Read more
How to use Android Recovery Mode to fix your phone or tablet
Pixel 3 recovery mode

Here's an unfun scenario: You've got one of the best Android phones or tablets, but things aren't working right. Typical virus scans and other troubleshooting fixes aren't working. It is time to use recovery mode. This mode allows you to reboot your system and get a fresh start without any viruses or other issues that were potentially causing you trouble.

Unfortunately, there's no one standard way to get into Recovery Mode. In other words, Samsung Galaxy phones and HTC phones have different pathways into the modes. Luckily for you, however, we have the most complete guide to entering Recovery Mode and you should be able to figure out how to get in on just about any device using the steps below.

Read more