“Restore Purchase” (often labeled Restore Purchases) is a button inside an app that asks the App Store or Google Play to check your account and unlock things you already paid for, such as a premium upgrade, an ad-free version, or an active subscription. It does not buy anything again. You use it after you get a new phone, reinstall an app, or reset your device and the app suddenly acts as if you never paid.
The quickest route: sign in to the same Apple Account or Google Account you used to buy the item, open the app, find Restore Purchases in its settings, store, or account screen, and tap it. If the purchase was valid and can be restored, the feature unlocks within a few seconds.
Quick Answer
- Make sure your phone is signed in to the same Apple Account (iPhone) or Google Account (Android) that made the original purchase.
- Open the app you bought something in.
- Look in its Settings, main menu, store, or account screen for Restore Purchases (or similar wording).
- Tap it and confirm with your account if asked.
- Wait for a confirmation message. If nothing unlocks, check your purchase history and contact the app’s developer.
In This Guide
- What Restore Purchase actually does
- What can and can’t be restored
- Before you start
- Restore purchases on iPhone or iPad
- Restore purchases on Android
- Check whether you really bought it
- Restore vs. refund, cancel, and backup
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Restore Purchase Actually Does
When you buy something inside an app, called an in-app purchase, the payment goes through Apple’s App Store or Google Play, and the store keeps a record of it on your account. The app on your phone, however, only knows you paid if it has been told. That information can be lost when you:
- Set up a new iPhone or Android phone.
- Delete and reinstall the app.
- Factory reset your phone.
- Install the same app on a second device, such as an iPad or tablet.
Tapping Restore Purchases tells the app to ask the store, “What has this account already bought from me?” The store answers with the purchases it has on record, and the app unlocks the matching features. Because it only checks existing records, restoring does not start a new payment.
That’s why many apps show the button right on the paywall, the screen that asks you to pay. If you’ve paid before, restoring is the step to take before you pay again.
Apple states it plainly in its help article If you can’t find or use your Apple In-App Purchases: open the app you used to buy the item and look for an option to restore. On Android, Google notes that apps you bought on Google Play can be used on any Android device without paying again, as long as each device is signed in to the same Google Account.
What Can and Can’t Be Restored
Not every purchase comes back. Stores sort in-app purchases into types, and only some types are designed to be restored.
| Purchase type | Examples | Can you restore it? |
|---|---|---|
| Non-consumable (one-time unlock) | Remove ads, pro upgrade, extra levels, a filter pack | Yes, on the same store account |
| Subscription that is still active | Monthly or yearly premium plan | Yes, while the subscription is active |
| Expired or canceled subscription | A plan that ended last month | No; you would need to subscribe again |
| Consumable | Coins, gems, hints, extra lives, credits | No; once used, they’re gone |
Apple describes consumable items such as game currency or hints as purchases that “run out,” which is why they can’t be restored. Upgrades, extra features, and subscriptions are the kinds of purchases the restore option is for.
Two more limits are worth knowing:
- Restoring doesn’t cross stores on its own. A purchase made through Apple’s App Store is recorded on your Apple Account, and one made through Google Play is recorded on your Google Account. Moving from iPhone to Android (or the reverse) usually means the store-level restore can’t find your old purchase. Some apps let you sign in to their own account system to carry a subscription across platforms, but that depends entirely on the app.
- Restoring doesn’t bring back app data. Game progress, saved files, and settings are separate from the purchase record. Those come back only if the app syncs them to its own account or the phone’s backup includes them.
Before You Start
This guide covers iPhone and iPad (App Store) and Android phones and tablets (Google Play), as of September 2026. Check these first, because they fix most “restore didn’t work” problems:
- The same store account. On iPhone, you must be signed in to the same Apple Account that made the purchase. On Android, the phone must use the same Google Account. If you have more than one account, this is the most common cause of a failed restore.
- An internet connection. Restoring checks the store’s servers, so Wi-Fi or mobile data must be working.
- The latest version of the app. Update the app from the App Store or Play Store before you try.
- The app’s own login, if it has one. Some apps tie premium access to an account you create inside the app (an email and password with the developer) instead of, or in addition to, the store. If you had one, sign in to it first.
Also check where you originally paid. If you subscribed on the developer’s website instead of through the App Store or Google Play, the store has no record of it, and Restore Purchases won’t find it. In that case, signing in to the app’s account is usually what unlocks your plan.
How to Restore Purchases on iPhone or iPad
Each app puts the button in its own place, but the process is the same everywhere.
- Confirm your Apple Account. Open Settings and look at your name at the top. Make sure it’s the account you used to buy the item. Expected result: You see the right name and email address.
- Reinstall the app if needed. If you deleted the app, open the App Store, tap your photo or the account button, tap Apps & Purchase History, then Your Apps, then Not on this iPhone (or iPad). Tap the download button next to the app. You won’t pay again for an app you already bought.
- Open the app. Launch the app you made the purchase in.
- Find the restore option. Apple says it may be in the app’s store, main menu, Settings menu, or Options menu. Look for a gear icon, a Premium or Upgrade screen, or a small Restore Purchases link at the bottom of the paywall. Wording varies by app; Restore, Restore Purchases, and Restore Subscription are all common.
- Tap Restore. Tap the button. If the app asks you to sign in with your Apple Account, do so. Expected result: A message such as “Purchases restored” appears, and locked features open up.
- Restart the app if nothing changes. Close it fully and open it again. Some apps only refresh their premium status on launch.
If the restore option doesn’t unlock anything, Apple’s steps are to check that you’re signed in to the right Apple Account, confirm that in-app purchases are allowed on the device, restart the device, and then contact the app developer or report the problem to Apple.
Family Sharing on iPhone
If you’re in a Family Sharing group, some purchases made by a family member can be available to you too, but only from participating apps. Apple notes that not all subscriptions and in-app purchases can be shared, consumable items such as coins or gems are never shared, and Share My Purchases must be turned on for the account that made the purchase and the account that wants to use it. See Apple’s page What types of content can I share with my family? for the details.
Setting up a new iPhone? Reinstalling apps first makes restoring smoother. Our guide on installing an app on iPhone walks through the App Store basics, and if your apps keep disappearing on their own, see how to stop your iPhone from deleting apps automatically.
How to Restore Purchases on Android
On Android, many apps check Google Play for your purchases automatically when you open them while signed in to the right Google Account. Others still show a Restore Purchases button, and some use different wording such as Sync purchases. Labels depend on the app.
- Check your Google Account. Open the Play Store and tap your profile icon at the top right. Make sure the account shown is the one you used to buy the item. If you have several accounts, switch to the correct one. Expected result: The correct email address is selected.
- Reinstall the app if needed. In the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Manage apps & device, then Manage. If you don’t see the app, tap This device and choose Not installed. Select the app and tap Install. Apps you bought on Google Play don’t need to be bought again on the same account.
- Open the app. Give it a moment; some apps restore your purchase automatically on launch.
- Find the restore option if it’s still locked. Look in the app’s Settings, Account, Premium, or Store screen for Restore Purchases or similar wording.
- Tap it. Expected result: A confirmation appears and premium features unlock.
- Force stop and reopen if nothing happens. Go to Settings > Apps > the app > Force stop, then open the app again. Google lists this among its own steps for in-app purchase problems.
Google’s help pages cover reinstalling in Reinstall and re-enable apps and in-app purchase issues in Problems with in-app purchases. If you’ve just reset your phone, sign back in to the same Google Account during setup; our guide on factory resetting a Google Pixel explains what the setup process restores.
Family Library on Android
Google Play’s Family Library lets family members share some paid apps, but Google states that you can’t share in-app purchases through it. Each person generally needs to restore purchases made on their own Google Account.
Check Whether You Really Bought It
If a restore finds nothing, it helps to confirm what the store actually has on record. This also tells you which account made the purchase.
Purchase history on iPhone
- Open the App Store and tap your photo or the account button.
- Tap Apps & Purchase History, then Purchase History.
- Search by amount if you’re not sure what a charge was for, or tap Last 90 days to change the date range.
You can also sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com to see your purchases in a web browser. If an item isn’t listed, Apple notes you may have used a different Apple Account.
Subscriptions on iPhone
Open Settings, tap your name, then tap Subscriptions. Active plans appear here with their renewal dates. If a subscription isn’t listed as active, there’s nothing current for the app to restore.
Order history and subscriptions on Android
- Open the Play Store and tap your profile icon.
- Tap Payments & subscriptions, then Budget & history to see past orders.
- For subscriptions, go back and open Subscriptions under Payments & subscriptions.
On a computer, you can also sign in at play.google.com, select your profile icon, and open Payments & subscriptions. Google notes that only Google Play app and digital content orders show up in this history.
Restore vs. Refund, Cancel, and Backup
People often mix up these terms. Here’s how they differ:
| Action | What it does | Money involved? |
|---|---|---|
| Restore Purchases | Unlocks items you already own on this device | No new charge, no money back |
| Refund request | Asks the store to return money for a purchase | Money may be returned if approved |
| Cancel subscription | Stops future renewals | Stops future charges; the current period usually stays active |
| Phone backup restore | Copies apps, settings, and data to a phone | None; separate from purchase records |
A key point from Google: uninstalling an app does not cancel its subscription. To stop charges, cancel through Google Play’s Subscriptions screen. On iPhone, Apple’s Cancel a subscription from Apple page shows the path: Settings > your name > Subscriptions > the subscription > Cancel Subscription. Deleting the app isn’t listed as a way to cancel, so don’t rely on it.
Which option should you use?
- You paid before and the app is asking you to pay again: use Restore Purchases.
- You were charged for something you didn’t want: request a refund through the store.
- You want to stop paying for a plan: cancel the subscription in the store.
- Your game progress or files are missing: sign in to the app’s own account or check your phone backup; restoring purchases won’t bring data back.
Troubleshooting
“No purchases found” or “Nothing to restore”
This usually means the store doesn’t see a restorable purchase on the account that’s signed in. Check your purchase history (see above) to confirm the account. If the item was a consumable, such as coins, or a subscription that has expired, there is nothing to restore. If you bought the plan on the developer’s website, sign in to the app’s own account instead.
The app asks me to pay again
Don’t pay yet. Tap Restore Purchases first; it’s often a small link near the bottom of the payment screen. If you pay while a valid purchase already exists, you may end up with a duplicate charge that you then have to sort out with the store.
I switched from iPhone to Android (or the other way)
Store purchases don’t transfer automatically between Apple and Google. If the app has its own login, sign in with it on the new phone. If it doesn’t, contact the developer and ask whether they support moving a purchase to the other platform. Have your receipt or order number ready.
The restore button spins and then fails
Check your internet connection, update the app, and restart the phone. On Android, Google also suggests updating the Play Store (profile icon > Settings > About > Update Play Store) and making sure the date and time are set automatically under Settings > System > Date & time. Menu names can vary a little by phone maker.
In-app purchases are blocked on iPhone
Apple lists “in-app purchases are allowed” as something to check. If Screen Time restrictions are set on the device, in-app purchases may be turned off. The account owner or family organizer can review those settings.
The purchase shows in my history but still won’t unlock
Contact the app developer. Google says the developer is the best place to get an in-app purchase added to your account, and Apple also points you to the developer. You can usually find a support link in the app’s store listing. Share the order or receipt number, never your password or full payment card details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will tapping Restore Purchases charge me?
No. It checks your existing purchase records and unlocks what you already own. It doesn’t start a new payment. If you ever see a payment sheet asking you to confirm a price, you’ve tapped a buy button, not restore.
Why do apps have a Restore Purchases button at all?
Because the app on a new or reset phone doesn’t know what you bought until it checks with the store. The button gives you a manual way to trigger that check, especially after reinstalling.
Can I restore coins, gems, or credits?
Generally no. These are consumable purchases, and Apple describes them as items that run out. If you paid for coins that never arrived, contact the developer rather than using restore.
Can I restore a purchase on a second device?
Usually yes, for one-time unlocks and active subscriptions, as long as the second device uses the same Apple Account or Google Account. Some apps limit the number of devices; that’s up to the developer.
Does deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No. Google says directly that uninstalling won’t cancel a subscription. On iPhone, cancel in Settings > your name > Subscriptions.
Will my game progress come back when I restore?
Not from the restore itself. Restore Purchases handles what you paid for. Progress comes back only if the game saves it to an online account or it was included in your phone’s backup.
Where is Restore Purchases in my app?
Check the app’s Settings, account, premium, or store screen, or the bottom of the paywall. If you can’t find it, search the app’s help page or contact the developer; every app places it differently.
Summary
- Restore Purchase unlocks things you already bought; it doesn’t charge you.
- Sign in to the same Apple Account or Google Account that made the purchase.
- Open the app and tap Restore Purchases in its settings, store, or paywall.
- One-time unlocks and active subscriptions restore; coins and expired plans don’t.
- If nothing unlocks, check your purchase history, then contact the developer.
Next step: open the app that’s asking you to pay, confirm you’re on the right store account, and tap Restore Purchases before buying anything again.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.