What are in-app purchases? Easily explained

You can download many apps for free, but you have to pay for them later in the game. In this article, we will tell you what these so-called in-app purchases are, how they work and in which apps you are regularly asked to checkout.

In-app purchases: cost trap in apps?

You can find in-app purchases in both Android and iOS apps. As the name suggests, you can buy and pay for certain things within the app.

• In this way, you can unlock premium features or improvements in games, for example. One of the most successful games with in-app purchases is Clash of Clans. Here you can buy different upgrades within the app with real money and so get up faster.
• With some apps, such as Office 365, you can even subscribe by in-app purchase. Then you pay a certain contribution for the activated functions at regular intervals.
• The purchase is processed via the respective app store. With iOS, the amount will be deducted from your iTunes credit. As an Android user, on the other hand, you pay with the payment method stored in the Play Store.
• Although you have to confirm every single in-app purchase, the invoice quickly becomes confusing. Therefore, you can disable in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

Further information on the topic of in-app purchase

How can I disable in-app purchases?

In order to deactivate in-app purchases, a few short steps are sufficient. The corresponding option in the app store (for iOS) or in the play store (for Android) can be found under the settings of the respective store. After activation, it is no longer possible to purchase additional content and full versions. How exactly you deactivate in-app purchases for Android and iOS is linked in our article.

Where can I find my in-app purchases?

After making an in-app purchase, you will receive a receipt for the purchase via email from both Google and Apple. This confirms the purchase within an app and the performance you have received for it. In addition, you can view an overview of all purchases made in the respective store of your smartphone.

What is an in-app purchase?

An in-app purchase refers to paid services of an app, which, in contrast to an app purchase, do not take place in the store, but within an already installed app. More information and a detailed description can be found in our article.

How can I activate in-app purchases?

In-app purchases do not need to be activated in advance. To make an in-app purchase, you only need to have a payment method for your Apple or Google account. If you now want to make a purchase within an app, you only have to select the purchase, enter your password for the respective account and confirm. Then the purchase is made automatically.