Don’t have a credit card? Now you can pay for Android apps, in-app purchases using cash

Google is now making it easier for users in emerging markets to pay for apps using cash on Google Play. It’s hardly a secret anymore that Android as a platform has the highest number of app downloads compared to Apple iOS. Well, it obviously has to do with such a huge difference in terms of market share between Android and iOS.

According to market research firm IDC, Android sees more than 80 per cent market share worldwide. In spite of that, Apple continues to dominate in terms of the number of users paying for the app, unlike Android. That’s primarily because Android sees tremendous growth in emerging markets where most users still prefer to pay for services using cash.

In fact, lack of access to a credit card in emerging markets is one of the reasons why most people still prefer cash transactions. Other than that, some users hesitate when it comes to adopting new changes. That’s also why most people prefer free, ad-supported apps and games. Whatever it may be, Google doesn’t want to miss out on any opportunity to maximise its revenue. 

READ | Google Play to change how average app rating is calculated, to give more weight to most recent ratings

That’s why Google is now looking to ‘cash in’ on the possibility to narrow the revenue gap by offering more ways to pay for apps. This way, you don’t need to rely on a credit card or any other form of online payment method.

Over the past year, Google has rolled out new payment options in emerging countries. Google supports unified payments interface (UPI) in India to encourage digital transactions.

“We know that emerging markets are a key area of growth for you all, which is why we’re excited to announce ‘pending transactions,” said Aurash Mahbod, Director of Engineering looking after Play Store and Games on Google Play.

READ | Google wants users to know it takes privacy seriously, brings incognito mode to Maps, Search

Mahbod was speaking at the Google I/O Developer conference.

The option allows users to pay for their purchase using cash at a nearby store after they receive the unique payment code. Although transactions complete within 10 minutes, sometimes they may also take up to 48 hours. But if you later want a refund, you won’t receive cash back. Instead, Google will refund your purchase in the form of Play Store credit.

More details awaited.