Redeeming your Google Play gift card takes about two minutes
A Google Play gift card is a prepaid card that adds money to your Google Play account. You can use that balance to buy apps, games, movies, TV shows, books, and in-app purchases. The card itself has a 16-digit code on the back. To use it, you enter that code into Google Play on your phone or computer, and the money appears in your account immediately.
The process is the same whether you have a physical card or a digital code sent by email. You do not need a credit card or bank account to redeem it — just a Google account and access to the Google Play store.
Key Takeaways
- You redeem a Google Play gift card by entering the 16-digit code from the back of the card into the Google Play store on your phone or computer.
- On Android phones, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Redeem code," and paste or type the code.
- On a computer, go to play.google.com, sign in, click your profile icon, select "Redeem code," and enter the code in the box that appears.
- The balance appears in your account right away and stays there until you spend it — there is no expiration date once redeemed.
- If the code does not work, check that you typed it correctly, that the card has not already been used, and that you are signed into the right Google account.
How to redeem on an Android phone
Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner — it is a circle with your initial or photo inside. A menu will drop down.
Tap "Payments and subscriptions." Then tap "Redeem code." A text box will appear asking you to enter or paste the code. Take the gift card and look at the back. You will see a 16-digit code printed there, usually in a box. Type or paste that code into the box on your screen. Tap "Redeem." The money will appear in your account within seconds.
If you have trouble finding the Redeem Code option, make sure you are signed into the Google account you want to use. Tap your profile icon again and look at the email address shown at the top of the menu. If it is the wrong account, tap it and switch to the correct one, then try again.
How to redeem on a computer
Go to play.google.com in your web browser. Sign in with the Google account you want to use — look for the "Sign in" button in the top right if you are not already logged in. Once you are signed in, click your profile icon in the top right corner. A menu will appear.
Click "Redeem code." A box will pop up with a text field inside. Type or paste the 16-digit code from the back of your gift card into this field. Click "Redeem." Your balance will update immediately, and you will see a confirmation message showing how much money was added.
If you are redeeming a digital code that came by email, you can copy and paste it directly into the box instead of typing it by hand. This is faster and reduces the chance of making a typing mistake.
Where your balance appears and how to use it
Once you redeem the code, the money sits in your Google Play account as a store credit balance. You can see this balance by opening Google Play, tapping your profile icon, and looking at the top of the menu — it will show your current balance in dollars and cents.
You can spend this balance on anything in the Google Play store: apps, games, movies, TV episodes, books, audiobooks, and in-app purchases like coins or gems inside games. When you buy something, Google Play automatically deducts the cost from your balance. If you do not have enough balance to cover a purchase, you will be asked to add a payment method to cover the difference.
Your balance does not expire once it is redeemed. You can hold onto it and spend it whenever you want. If you lose your phone or switch devices, your balance stays attached to your Google account, so you can access it from any device where you sign in.
What to do if the code does not work
If you enter the code and get an error message, the most common reason is a typing mistake. Check that you typed all 16 digits correctly. Look at the card again and make sure you did not mix up a zero and the letter O, or a one and the letter I. If you are copying and pasting the code, make sure you did not accidentally include a space at the beginning or end.
The second most common reason is that the code has already been used. Google Play gift cards can only be redeemed once. If someone else has already entered this code into their account, it will not work again. If you bought the card new and this is the first time you are using it, contact the store where you bought it and explain that the code was already used.
Make sure you are signed into the correct Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, the code will only work on the account you are signed into when you redeem it. Check your profile icon to see which email address is currently active. If it is the wrong one, sign out and sign back in with the correct account, then try the code again.
If you have checked all of these things and the code still does not work, the card itself may be defective. Contact Google Play support through the Help Center at support.google.com, or contact the retailer where you purchased the card.
Redeeming a gift card sent by email
If someone sent you a Google Play gift card code by email instead of a physical card, the process is identical. The email will contain a 16-digit code. Copy that code, open Google Play on your phone or computer, go to Redeem Code, and paste it in. The balance will appear in your account right away.
Digital codes work exactly the same as physical cards — they have no expiration date once redeemed, and they can only be used once. If the email came from a friend or family member, make sure they sent you the code and not just a screenshot of their own balance, which would not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Google Play gift card to buy a subscription?
Yes. You can use your balance to pay for subscriptions to apps, magazines, music services, and other recurring services in Google Play. Your balance will be charged each billing period until either the subscription ends or your balance runs out. Once your balance is gone, you will be asked to add a payment method to continue the subscription.
What happens if I do not have enough balance to buy something?
Google Play will let you complete the purchase by adding a credit card, debit card, or other payment method to cover the difference. You do not have to use up your entire balance before adding another payment method. Your gift card balance will be used first, and the remaining cost will be charged to your card.
Can I transfer my Google Play balance to someone else?
No. Once you redeem a gift card code, the balance is locked to your Google account and cannot be transferred, refunded, or converted to cash. If you want to give someone else money to spend on Google Play, you need to give them an unredeemed gift card code, not your account balance.
Does my Google Play balance expire?
No. Once you redeem a gift card code, the balance stays in your account indefinitely. There is no expiration date. You can hold onto it and spend it whenever you want, even years later. The only exception is if your Google account is inactive for a very long time — Google may close inactive accounts, which would result in losing the balance.
Can I redeem a Google Play gift card on my computer and use it on my phone?
Yes. Your Google Play balance is tied to your Google account, not to a specific device. If you redeem a code on your computer, the balance will be available on your phone as long as you are signed into the same Google account. You can redeem codes and spend your balance on any device where you sign in.