Google now lets you beg your friends to buy a Play Store app for you

The company is rolling out a feature, starting in India, that lets you ask someone else to pay for an app

Google now lets you beg your friends to buy a Play Store app for you
Google Play Store logo on smartphone stock photo (1)
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Google Play is adding a new button that lets users ask someone else to pay for an app or in-app item.
  • This creates a payment link that users can send to a friend or family member via their preferred text messaging service or email.
  • This feature is rolling out starting in India, but it’s unclear if or when it’ll expand to other markets.

Google wrapped up its Google I/O developer conference two weeks ago. At the event, Google mostly talked about AI and Gemini, but it also shared what’s new in Chrome, Android, and Google Play. During the nearly 30-minute presentation covering what’s new in Google Play, the company unveiled a slew of new features and tools for app developers. One of these new features might reduce the number of customers who don’t follow through on a purchase, but it could also cause some headaches. The feature I’m referring to is a new button during checkout that lets users ask someone else to pay for an app or in-app item.

Ask someone else to pay button