How do I change my default card for in app purchases?

Making in-app purchases on your smartphone or tablet is a convenient way to access premium content and features in your favorite apps. However, each time you make a purchase, you may need to enter payment details like your credit/debit card information. To avoid this step every time, you can set a default payment method for faster checkouts. Here’s a guide on how to change the default card for in-app purchases on iOS and Android devices.

Table of Contents

Check Current Default Card on iPhone

On iPhones and iPads, your default card for purchases is whichever payment method you used most recently. Here’s how to check which card is currently set as the default:

Go to Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping.

Under the Payment Methods section, you’ll see a list of saved cards.
The current default card has a checkmark indicator next to it. This is the payment method that will be used automatically for in-app purchases.

If you want to change the default card, just tap on a different saved card. The checkmark will shift to the newly selected payment option.

Change Default Card for In-App Purchases on iPhone

Here are step-by-step instructions to change the default payment method for in-app purchases on an iPhone or iPad:

Go to the App Store app and tap on your profile icon in the top right.

Select Payment Information from the menu.
Tap on the card that you want to make the new default option.
Confirm that you want to change the default card by tapping “Set as Default” in the popup.

The selected card is now set as the default option for App Store purchases. You’ll see the confirmation “Default Card” below the card details.

Going forward, this default card will automatically be charged whenever you make in-app purchases or redeem App Store gift cards. You don’t need to enter the card details repeatedly now. If you want to use a different payment method for a specific transaction, you can simply select it at checkout.

Check Default Payment in Google Play Store

On Android devices, open the Play Store app and follow these instructions:

Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.

Select Payments & subscriptions.
Under the Payment methods section, you’ll see a list of saved cards.
The current default card shows “Default” below the last 4 digits of the card number.

This card is charged automatically whenever you make purchases from Google Play apps and games. To change it, select another saved card as explained in the next section.

Change Default Payment in Google Play on Android

Follow these steps to update the default payment card for Google Play purchases on your Android device:

Open the Play Store and tap the profile icon.
Go to Payments & subscriptions.

Under Payment methods, tap on the card you want to make the new default.
Confirm that you want to change the default card when prompted.
The new default card will show “Default” marked below its details.

Now all your Play Store and in-app purchases will automatically charge whichever card you just selected. The new default stays saved unless you decide to change it again later.

Why Change the Default Card?

Here are some common reasons for changing your default payment method for in-app purchases:

Your old default card expired, was lost/stolen, or had fraudulent charges.

You received a replacement card from your bank with new details.
You want to use a different credit/debit card between personal and work purchases.
Changing default temporarily for a large purchase to maximize credit card rewards.

Managing monthly app spending by having charges go to a specific card.

Does the Default Card Apply for Other Purchases?

The default card you set on the App Store or Play Store is only used for the following transactions:

In-app purchases for premium content unlocks, virtual currency, etc.

App and game downloads (both free and paid apps).
Subscriptions for apps that offer auto-renewing plans.
Redeeming App Store & iTunes gift cards on iPhone/iPad.

Pre-orders for apps and in-app content.

It does NOT apply for other types of purchases on your device like:

Physical goods ordered via apps (food delivery, retail shopping, etc.)

Services like ridesharing and on-demand food delivery.
Physical and digital content bought directly on website in browser.
Apple services subscriptions if purchased outside the App Store (Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV+ etc.)

Hardware purchases like iPhone, iPad, Macs and accessories.

You’ll need to enter or select a payment method at the time of checkout for these types of transactions, even if you have a default card set up. The default card is currently limited specifically to digital purchases made directly on the App Store or Play Store apps.

What If I Have Multiple Default Cards?

On iPhone and iPad, you can only have one default payment card at a time for App Store purchases. However on Android devices, Google Play allows you to select multiple default payment methods. Here’s how it works:

In the Play Store app, go to Payment methods and tap on a saved card.
Toggle on the switch for “Set as default payment method”. You can do this for multiple cards.
The next time you make a purchase, you can pick which default card to use at checkout.

To remove a card from being default, go to Payment methods and toggle the switch off.

So on Android you can have multiple cards readily available for one-tap purchasing. Just tap to pay and select among the default payment options. On iPhone it’s one default card at a time, but you can still select another method at checkout if needed.

Does Google Pay Have Separate Default?

Google Pay is Google’s mobile payments service, allowing contactless in-store payments via NFC from Android devices. It has a separate setting for the default card:

Open the Google Pay app and tap on the payment card area.

Tap on the card you want to make default.
Confirm by selecting “Make this my default card”.

This default Google Pay card for in-store payments is independent from your Google Play Store app default payment method for digital purchases.

Managing Multiple Payment Methods

As you make in-app purchases on your device over time, you’ll end up adding several credit, debit, or gift cards to your account’s payment methods. Here are some tips for managing multiple saved cards:

Give each card a description like “Personal Credit Card” or “Gift card balance” to identify them easily.
Delete old, expired, or unused cards periodically to declutter.
For security, use virtual card numbers where applicable to limit exposure.

Utilize iOS/Android payment management tools like setting default cards.
On iPhone, rearrange the order of cards by tapping Edit and dragging them up/down.
Set usage limits if needed to control spending on specific cards.

Troubleshooting Default Card Issues

If you are having problems setting or using the default card for in-app purchases, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Make sure the card you want as default has a valid payment method added in Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Methods.

Check if your iPhone/Android OS software is up-to-date, older versions may have default payment bugs.
Force close and reopen the App Store/Play Store app to refresh payment information.
Still not working? Remove all payment methods and re-add your cards so it resets.

Contact your bank/card issuer to confirm your card details are correct and fully activated.
If charges go through on the wrong card, you can request a refund and recharge on the correct card.

Additionally, reach out to Apple or Google support for further troubleshooting if needed. With a few simple steps, you can update the default payment option and streamline your in-app purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my credit card secure when saving it for in-app purchases?

Yes, saving your credit or debit card for in-app purchases is secure. Apple and Google use encryption technology to protect your card details on your device and on their servers. Your actual card numbers are not stored – only a unique device-specific token representing your card is saved for transactions.

Do I need to use Face ID/Touch ID for in-app purchases?

You can enable Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode entry on iPhone and iPad as an extra verification step before purchases are approved. On Android, there is no biometric authentication, but you can toggle on device protection settings like lock screen PIN or password to add security before purchases.

Can I use more than one payment method for in-app purchases?

Yes, you can save multiple cards on your Apple ID or Google Play accounts and select between them at checkout when making in-app purchases. However, just one card can be the active default payment method at a time.

What if my default card is lost/stolen/expired?

If your default card details are compromised or no longer valid, immediately update to a different payment method as the default. You can do this in Settings (iPhone) or Play Store app (Android). Also contact your bank to notify them and get a replacement card issued.

Can I get refunds for in-app purchases?

Most apps allow refunds within a limited time period, usually 1-2 hours after purchase. You can request a refund through the Play Store/App Store interface. For subscription refunds, manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal at least 24 hrs before renewal date.

Conclusion

With just a few taps, you can conveniently set up and manage the default payment card for all your in-app purchases and subscriptions. Following the step-by-step instructions outlined will ensure your preferred payment method is correctly set up for streamlined checkouts. Understanding the ins and outs of default card usage on iPhone and Android also helps you maximize security, convenience, and control over app spending.