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Few hours ago I bought an app on Google Play Store that I don't need at a moment, but it looked handy and was on sale. I have installed it, fiddled with it for a few minutes and then uninstalled it. As soon as it finished uninstalling, I got an email that my order was cancelled and refunded. The app isn't in my library anymore and I can buy it again.

I don't remember it happening previously when I uninstalled apps just after buying, so it looks like this automatic cancellation was introduced recently. (Or perhaps it's configured per app by developer?)

  • Can I opt out of this feature and not get refunds automatically?
  • Is there any official statement from Google that such feature was enabled?
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  • This is almost certainly a feature of this specific application. Why not name it so people can actually investigate your problem?
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Aug 18, 2017 at 11:30
  • It was Tasker, if that matters.
    – gronostaj
    Commented Aug 18, 2017 at 15:02
  • You need it for at least 2 hours
    – rrrrrrrrrr
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 23:01
  • @rrrrrrrrrr I know that refunds are time-limited, that doesn't answer my question.
    – gronostaj
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 7:51

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It's an old question but here is what I could find

You may get an automatic refund if you uninstall a paid app shortly after first buying it. If you want to reinstall the app, you'll have to buy it again and you will not be eligible for a refund on that purchase.

(Emphasis added)

  • That explains why you got a refund and IMO, it has nothing to do with an app being on sale. It's applicable to paid apps.

  • Google doesn't define shortly (I couldn't find)

  • I couldn't find anything that one can opt out to prevent this happening, so don't be in a tearing hurry to uninstall paid apps (you have 48 hours to claim a refund - see this answer)

  • As per this blog, if you purchase but don't download the app, you can circumvent the immediate - uninstall - refund

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    This Reddit thread hinted that it has been for a long time (even since Android Market, but questionable...), but the time limit for automatic refund was changed from 24 hours -> 15 minutes -> 2 hours.
    – Andrew T. ♦
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 8:41
  • @AndrewT - I have a feeling things are mixed up. 1.for immediate uninstall as in the Q I couldn't find time limit (doesn't mean it doesn't exist :-) 2.Two hours was the standard refund policy, now it is 48 hours and possibly 15 minutes refers to intimating that your refund is accepted click on refund policy - follow these instructions 3. As we know with Google, things keep changing so often, so it's possible what the edit claims may have been applicable at some point
    – beeshyams
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 9:09
  • @AndrewT - see, when I wrote this answer, it was 2 hours, now it is 48! android.stackexchange.com/a/131442/131553
    – beeshyams
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 9:16
  • @AndrewT in the comment before last please read reddit for edit
    – beeshyams
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 9:24
  • Oops, forgot to mention the Reddit thread was from 2015...
    – Andrew T. ♦
    Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 10:30

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