Remove a payment method in three steps
You can remove a credit card, debit card, or bank account from Google Play at any time. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the Google Play app or on the web. Google does not charge you for removing a payment method, and removing one does not affect purchases you have already made.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Android or a computer, but both routes lead to the same place: your payment settings inside your Google account. You will need to be signed in to the account where the payment method is stored.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove any payment method from Google Play through your Google account settings, whether you use an Android phone or a computer.
- Removing a payment method does not cancel subscriptions or refund past purchases — you will need to cancel subscriptions separately if you want them to stop.
- If you remove your only payment method, Google Play will ask you to add a new one the next time you try to make a purchase.
- You can remove a payment method even if it has a pending charge, though the charge will still go through once it processes.
Remove a payment method on Android
Open the Google Play app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Payments and subscriptions, then tap Payment methods. You will see a list of every card and bank account linked to your account.
Find the payment method you want to remove and tap it. A menu will appear with options including Remove. Tap Remove, and Google will ask you to confirm. Tap Remove again, and the payment method is deleted from your account when ready.
If you have only one payment method on file and you remove it, Google Play will not prevent you from doing so. The next time you try to buy something or renew a subscription, the app will prompt you to add a new payment method before the purchase goes through.
Remove a payment method on a computer
Go to payments.google.com in your web browser and sign in with the Google account connected to Google Play. On the left side, click Payment methods. You will see all cards, bank accounts, and other payment sources linked to your account.
Click the payment method you want to remove. A details page will open. Click the three-dot menu icon (or More) and select Remove payment method. Google will ask you to confirm. Click Remove, and the payment method is deleted when ready.
You can also remove a payment method by clicking the trash or delete icon next to it in the payment methods list, depending on your browser and account settings. Either route produces the same result.
What happens to subscriptions when you remove a payment method
Removing a payment method does not automatically cancel any subscriptions you have through Google Play. If you have an active subscription and you remove the card or bank account it charges, Google will try to renew the subscription using a different payment method on file. If no other payment method exists, the subscription will fail to renew and will pause.
If you want to cancel a subscription entirely, you must do that separately. Go to Payments and subscriptions in the Google Play app (or Subscriptions on payments.google.com), find the subscription you want to stop, and select Cancel subscription. Removing the payment method alone will not stop the subscription from trying to charge you.
If a subscription fails to renew because you removed the only payment method, you can add a new one and the subscription will resume charging on the next renewal date. Google does not automatically restart paused subscriptions — you have to do that manually if you want them to continue.
Pending charges and removed payment methods
If you remove a payment method that has a charge pending (a purchase or subscription renewal that has not yet processed), the charge will still go through once it settles. Removing the payment method from your account does not stop a charge that is already in the payment system.
Pending charges typically process within one to three business days, depending on your bank or card issuer. If you want to stop a pending charge, you will need to contact your bank or card company directly — Google cannot reverse a charge that has already left your account, even if you removed the payment method.
You can check which charges are pending by going to payments.google.com, clicking Transactions, and looking for any marked as Pending. If you see a charge you did not authorize, report it to Google and your bank when ready.
Add a new payment method if you need one
If you remove all your payment methods and later want to buy something from Google Play, you will be prompted to add a new one. You can also add a payment method before you need it by going to Payments and subscriptions in the Play app or Payment methods on payments.google.com and selecting Add a payment method.
Google accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts in most countries. You can also use Google Play balance (store credit) if you have it. When you add a new payment method, Google may place a small temporary hold on your account to verify it is valid — this hold is released within a few days and does not result in a charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a payment method affect my past purchases?
No. Removing a payment method does not change, refund, or affect any purchase you have already made. Your apps, games, books, and movies remain on your account and will continue to work. Only future charges are affected.
Can I remove a payment method if I have an active subscription?
Yes, you can remove it at any time. The subscription will not automatically cancel. If the removed card was the only payment method on file, the subscription will fail to renew on the next billing date and will pause. You can add a new payment method later to resume it, or cancel it permanently.
What if I remove a payment method by mistake?
You can add it back when ready by going to Payment methods and selecting Add a payment method. Enter the same card or bank account details, and it will be linked to your account again. There is no waiting period or penalty for re-adding a payment method.
Do I have to remove a payment method if I want to stop using Google Play?
No, but it is a good idea. Removing all payment methods prevents accidental charges if your account is compromised. You can also cancel all subscriptions and straightforward stop using the app without removing payment details, though removing them adds an extra layer of security.
Can Google Play charge me after I remove a payment method?
Google cannot charge a payment method once it is removed from your account. However, any charge that was already processing when you removed the method will still go through. Future charges will fail unless you add a new payment method.