If you used an Android phone or tablet between 2016 and 2023 you may be set to receive a small payment as part of a Google Play Store settlement. Official settlement emails are now being sent to users impacted by a major antirust case brought against Google back in 2021.
The new emails are titled “Notice to Consumers Who Made Payments Through the Google Play Store.” The emails were first reported by Android Authority and blog Open Class Actions.
One Reddit user said they received their email in late December, but they were uncertain if it was a scam. Other users are reporting emails arriving throughout the first week of January, so you may still be yet to receive yours.
The settlement is designed for users who made purchases using Google’s Play Billing features between Aug. 16, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2023.
It relates to those who bought new apps from the Play Store, paid to remove ads within an app, subscribed to a service, or any other form of in-app purchase. The payment has to have been made through Google’s Play Billing feature to be eligible for the settlement.
The bad news is the settlement is unlikely to amount to much. The notice explains it will be least $2 per user, but it’s subject to change at the point of final approval on April 30, 2026.
The payout will be automatically sent to most users. If your phone number or email address is connected to a PayPal or Venmo account, the settlement will be sent to one of those services without any need to act. You’ll receive a further email or text message when the settlement is available.
Recommended by Our Editors
If you want to exclude yourself from the settlement, or object to it, you have to act before Feb. 19, 2026.
Google continues to deny its Play Store practices stifled competition, but it opted to settle with a $700 million payment. Google will send $70 million directly to US states, while $630 million will go to eligible customers.
Get Our Best Stories!
Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy
Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Our Expert
Experience
I’ve been a journalist for over a decade after getting my start in tech reporting back in 2013. I joined PCMag in 2025, where I cover the latest developments across the tech sphere, writing about the gadgets and services you use every day. Be sure to send me any tips you think PCMag would be interested in.
Read Full Bio
/https://i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_08fbf48bc0524877943fe86e43087e7a/internal_photos/bs/2025/A/L/FFV8gmRZaei3LbIVwuBg/000000.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Stranger Things: os 10 melhores episódios da série, segundo a crítica")
