Restoring in-app purchases allows you to regain access to items you previously purchased in an app on your iOS device if those items become unavailable for any reason. This can happen if you delete and reinstall an app, get a new device, or restore your device from a backup. The process for restoring purchases varies between apps, but usually involves tapping a “Restore Purchases” button somewhere within the app’s interface. Here are some quick answers about restoring in-app purchases on iOS:
Can I restore in-app purchases between devices?
Yes, you can restore in-app purchases across devices as long as you are using the same Apple ID that was originally used to purchase the items. When you download an app on a new device and sign in with the same Apple ID, your previous purchases should become available automatically.
Do I need internet access to restore purchases?
Yes, you need an internet connection on your iOS device to restore in-app purchases. The app needs to communicate with Apple servers to verify your previous transactions.
Do my purchases restore if I reinstall an app?
They should. When you redownload an app and sign in with the same Apple ID, your purchases will restore automatically. If not, look for a “Restore Purchases” button in the app.
Why are my purchases not restoring?
If your purchases are not restoring, here are some things to try:
- Check that you are signed in to the app with the same Apple ID that was used to originally make the purchases. This is required for restore.
- Make sure your device has a strong internet connection.
- Try force quitting and relaunching the app.
- Restart your device.
- Check for any available app updates and install them.
- As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app, then restore purchases.
Do I lose my purchases if I get a new device?
No, you do not lose your in-app purchases when you get a new iOS device. As long as you sign in on the new device with the same Apple ID, your purchases will instantly restore from the cloud.
Can I restore consumable purchases?
Consumable purchases cannot be restored since they are designed to be “consumed” or used up within an app. This includes things like virtual currencies, coins, gems, etc. Other non-consumable purchases can be restored.
How do I restore purchases on iPhone or iPad?
To restore purchases on an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the app where you want to restore purchases.
- Make sure you are signed in with the Apple ID originally used to purchase the items.
- Look for a “Restore Purchases” button somewhere within the app’s settings or interface. This may be under your account information or in the app store section.
- Tap the “Restore Purchases” button. The app will connect to Apple servers to verify your previous transactions.
- Your purchases should now be restored! Access them within the app.
Why don’t my purchases restore on my new phone?
If your purchases are not restoring on a new iOS device, there are a few possible reasons:
- You are not signed in to the app with the same Apple ID that was used to originally make the purchases. Always use the same ID.
- The app has not properly implemented restore capabilities through Apple’s API.
- Your new phone does not have internet access to connect to Apple servers.
- The app requires you to restore purchases manually rather than automatically.
- Your purchases were consumable items that cannot be restored.
Check these factors and try restoring again. If issues persist, contact the app developer for help troubleshooting.
Do I need to back up my device to restore purchases?
No, you do not need to back up your device to iOS or iCloud to restore app purchases. Your purchase history is securely stored in your Apple ID account. As long as you sign into your apps with the same Apple ID, you can restore purchases without a backup.
How do I restore in-app purchases from another phone?
To restore in-app purchases originally made on a different iOS device, you need to sign in with the same Apple ID on your new phone. For example:
- Install the app on your new iPhone that had previous purchases.
- Launch the app.
- Go to settings and sign in with the same Apple ID used on your old phone.
- Find and tap the “Restore Purchases” button in the app.
- The app will communicate with Apple and restore your purchases from the cloud.
As long as you use the same Apple ID, you can seamlessly restore purchases across different iOS devices.
What should I do if Restore Purchases does not work?
If the Restore Purchases option within an app is not successfully restoring your purchases, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
- Force quit and relaunch the app – this refreshes things.
- Double check your internet connection is working properly.
- Sign out of your Apple ID account within the app and sign back in.
- Restart your iPhone or iPad.
- Update to the latest version of iOS if an update is available.
- Update the app to see if the developer has addressed restore issues.
- Contact the app developer’s customer support for assistance.
In most cases, these basic troubleshooting tips will get the Restore Purchases function working properly again. Be sure you are always trying to restore purchases using the exact same Apple ID that originally purchased the content.
Should I use iTunes to restore purchases?
Restoring purchases through iTunes is no longer necessary in most cases. Modern iOS apps are designed to restore purchases directly within the app itself without needing to sync to iTunes on a computer. Unless an app’s support specifically directs you to restore through iTunes, you should be able to restore iOS purchases directly on your iPhone or iPad.
What happens if I refund a purchase? Can I still restore it?
If you obtain a refund on an in-app purchase through Apple, that specific purchase is no longer tied to your account and cannot be restored. Refunding an in-app purchase essentially reverses the transaction as if it never happened. You would need to repurchase the content again to access it.
Should I contact Apple or the developer for restore issues?
If you are having issues restoring purchases in an iOS app, you should first contact the app’s developer directly for assistance. They can help troubleshoot issues specific to how purchases are handled in their app. If you cannot resolve the issue with the developer, reach out to Apple Support for additional help investigating general restore purchase problems.
Is there a time limit for restoring purchases?
There is no time limit for restoring in-app purchases on iOS as long as you continue using the same Apple ID account. Purchases remain tied to your account indefinitely as long as you maintain access to that Apple ID. You should be able to restore old purchases years later if needed as long as you can still sign in.
Can I restore in-app purchases on multiple devices?
Yes, iOS in-app purchases can be restored across multiple devices as long as you use the same Apple ID account. For example, if you restore purchases on an iPhone, those same purchases will also become available if you download the app and sign in on an iPad or other iOS device. Purchases are tied to your Apple ID rather than a specific device.
What types of purchases can be restored?
Any non-consumable in-app purchases can be restored, including:
- One-time purchase app upgrades
- Premium content unlocks
- Level packs
- Sticker packs
- Subscription access
- Remove ads options
Consumable purchases cannot be restored, like virtual coins/gems/currencies. Anything described as a “consumable” is used up at the time of purchase.
Can I restore in-app purchases without Apple ID?
No, you cannot restore in-app purchases without signing in with the Apple ID originally used to purchase the content. Apple has no way to verify your ownership of previous purchases unless you sign in with the same account. Your Apple ID is required to restore any purchases.
Do I need to be on the same iOS version to restore purchases?
No, you can restore in-app purchase on a newer or older version of iOS. For example, if you originally made a purchase on iOS 12, you can still restore it even if you upgrade to iOS 15. iOS version does not affect the ability to restore as long as you use the same Apple ID.
How do I restore consumable purchases?
Consumable in-app purchases like virtual coins or currencies cannot technically be restored since they are designed to be consumed or used up at the time of purchase. You would need to buy additional consumable content again if you run out.
Can I restore purchases I made with a different Apple ID?
Unfortunately purchases made with a different Apple ID cannot be restored. Apple associates purchases with the specific Apple ID that made the transaction. You would need to sign in with the old Apple ID used originally to restore those purchases.
How do I share in-app purchases across family members?
You can utilize Family Sharing on iOS to share App Store and in-app purchases with family at no additional cost. To do this:
- Set up Family Sharing in the iCloud settings of your device.
- Add family members you want to share purchases with.
- Make sure “Share App Store and iTunes purchases” is enabled.
- Family members sign in on devices with their own Apple ID.
- Purchases you make are now shared and can be downloaded by family.
With Family Sharing enabled, family members can restore shared in-app purchases using their own Apple ID.
Should I restore purchases when getting a new iPhone?
Yes, one of the first things you should do when getting a new iPhone is restore any in-app purchases you previously made. After downloading any apps again, make sure to tap “Restore Purchases” so you regain access to that content on your new device. This conveniently transfers over your purchased items.
How do I share in-app purchases with my wife/husband?
If you want to share in-app purchases with your partner/spouse, add them to an iOS Family Sharing group. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Family Sharing on your iPhone
- Tap “Add Family Member” and enter your partner’s Apple ID
- Make sure “Purchase Sharing” is enabled under family member names
- Your partner can download your apps and restore purchases
With Family Sharing, you and your partner can both restore shared in-app content using your own Apple IDs. Purchases transfer seamlessly.
Can I restore in-app purchases after switching Apple IDs?
If you switch to a new Apple ID, you will no longer be able to restore purchases made with your old Apple ID. This is because purchase histories are tied to specific Apple IDs. To restore old purchases, you would need to temporarily sign back into the app with your original purchasing ID.
What if my Apple ID no longer exists?
If the Apple ID you originally used to make in-app purchases no longer exists or you can’t access it, unfortunately there is no way to restore those purchases. The ability to restore is associated with your specific Apple ID account. If the account itself is gone, prior purchases cannot be retrieved.
Can in-app purchases be restored after uninstalling an app?
Yes, in-app purchases can still be restored even if you uninstall and reinstall an iOS app. As long as you sign back in with the same Apple ID, your purchase history will sync and restore from iCloud when you reinstall the app. It may occur automatically or require tapping “Restore”.
Will my purchase history transfer to an Android device?
Unfortunately in-app purchases made on iOS will not transfer over to an Android device. The Apple ecosystem is separate from Google Play. You would need to repurchase any unlockable content when switching over to an Android app equivalent.
Summary
Restoring in-app purchases ensures you retain access to non-consumable content and upgrades if you reinstall an app, get a new device, or otherwise need to recover your purchases. As long as you use the same Apple ID, you can restore your buy history across iOS devices. Review the app’s interface for a “Restore Purchases” option. If you have issues restoring, check your internet connection, Apple ID, app updates, iOS version, and contact the developer or Apple support if needed. Consistently using the same Apple ID and Family Sharing allows you to easily redownload and share previously purchased in-app content.
