How to PIN protect Google Play

PIN protect your Android downloads on Google Play.

Avoid embarrassing bills by securing your Google Play access

Avoid embarrassing bills by securing your Google Play access

Kids love smartphones and tablets, and parents love letting them use them. The simple interfaces of iOS and Android, along with easy to play games and educational apps mean even a four year old can master them in seconds.

But how do you stop your child accidentally running up a large bill buying new apps and add-ons?

Not only can they access Play or the App Store just by tapping an icon, but many apps now promote purchases from within their main interface – or carry ads from which a simple tap will start you shopping.

On an iPhone or iPad, you have instant protection as Apple requires you to re-enter your iTunes password before making a new purchase. It can be tedious, especially if your password is a good, hard to crack one, but at least it will save you from embarrassing bills – so long as your kids don’t learn your iTunes password.

With Android powered devices, however, all you have to do is tap ‘accept and buy’ and a new app is downloaded. Unless you enable PIN protection, that is.

This is a hidden setting which offers the same amount of protection as iTunes, but requires you to manually set it up:

  1. Open up Google Play and bring up the settings menu, then scroll down to the bottom of the screen.
  2. You’ll notice two options, one for ‘Set or change PIN’ and one for ‘Use PIN for purchases’.
  3. Set up a four digit PIN with the first option, and then check the radio box next to the second.

Now, whenever someone tries to buy a new app or add-on through Google Play, they’ll need your PIN number to do so. All you have to do is keep it safe from the prying eyes of children and they can’t accidentally install something without you knowing.

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