latest
Google will convert gifted Play Music subscriptions into Play Store credit
And that's plus a YouTube Music sub for the same period, apparently
Folks using gifted Play Music subscriptions don't need to worry about the unused balance of those gift subs when the service dies in September. Google is apparently giving them double the value (or more) by converting those subs over to YouTube Music while also carrying over the unused portion of those subscriptions into Google Play credit — and the math for that last bit heavily favors the customer.
How to see when your Google Opinion Rewards credits will expire
Hint: It's as easy as opening the Opinion Rewards app
If you're still a little salty about having your Opinion Rewards earnings unceremoniously obliterated in late 2019, you're not alone. The backlash prompted Google to add an explanatory banner to the Opinion Rewards app and ultimately provide a way to view when your credits will expire in the future. Here's how to keep tabs on those expiration dates so that your credits are never squandered again.
Tip: Google Opinion Rewards can be spent on YouTube Premium, Google One, Stadia games, and more
Don't let them expire before you get a chance to redeem
Google Opinion Rewards users were caught off guard in late 2019 when their hard-earned credits suddenly vanished due to a Google policy change. With credits now set to expire exactly one year after being earned, it’s easier than ever to lose them without even realizing it. To make sure you never miss out on cashing in your credits, we've assembled a comprehensive list of all the ways you can spend your Google Opinion Rewards on apps, games, movies, and more.
If you were among those that pre-ordered Google's Pixel 4, then you should remember that $100 Google Store credit that you got when you did. What you probably don't remember is that the credit came with an expiration date set for January 31st, and that's today. If you haven't spent it yet, you've just got a few hours left to pick up some freebies.
Remember that mass expiration of Google Play credit that happened last month? Google later explained that this was because credits were set to expire one year after they were issued, but that explanation in isolation didn't justify exactly why so many people saw such a big chunk of their balance disappear all at once — this isn't a regular yearly occurrence. Some assumed it was a rule that was simply never enforced, but it turns out that a very specific change in Google's terms and conditions as of November 8th, 2018 is to blame.
Read update
Last week, Google went on a cleanup spree and deducted large chunks of Play Store credits that people had raked over time in Opinion Rewards. Our tips mailbox quickly filled up with reports of balances unexpectedly shrinking by tens of dollars, while Google stayed mum on what appeared to be a widespread concern. The company just broke its silence on this issue with a short explanation appearing for many within the Rewards app.
The Google Opinion Rewards app is a good way to get a few bucks of Play Store credit with almost no effort, turning targeted surveys into cash you can spend on apps, books, movies, and games (though there is a cost in terms of privacy). However, those of you raking in credit might want to fire up the app and check your current balance, as there are several recent reports that Play Store credits appear to be expiring en masse and without notice.
It's been around eight months since Google started to test a Material theme update in its Opinion Rewards app, and we haven't seen much since then. However, the app has just received an update that enables a fresher Material theme for all, and we have the APK ready for you to download.
Everyone likes free money, and you can maybe get some of that right now in the Play Store client on your phone. We've gotten numerous reports of a free credit offer appearing in the store, and some AP staffers have seen it themselves. So, what are you waiting for?
Last month, Google announced that it would be unifying its storage service under a new name: Google One. The transition from previous plans to better-priced One options was to take place "in the coming months," and reports of the rollout have been gradually spreading. If you're among those with a paid Google Drive storage plan anticipating the move, you might want to check your email, as some that have been welcomed into Google One are seeing a complimentary $5 credit hit their inbox.
Google is an American company, as in the United States of America. That means that sometimes - okay, a lot of times - its new programs and promotions are first and often only available to Americans. But today our neighbors to the north finally get something that we don't. And it's pretty sweet: twenty bucks of free credit in the Play Store for owners of the Chromecast 2015 and/or the newer Chromecast Audio! That's better than a free Tim Horton's run.
Google updated its support pages with an interesting item recently. Down at the bottom of the gift card page, is a US-only option called "Google Play credit gifts." And sure enough, a new option to send a gift has popped up in the web Play Store. So, just in time for the holidays, you can give the gift of Google Play via email.
Read update
To get your credit, head to this address and follow the instructions. Google's system uses the Cast extension for the Chrome browser to detect Chromecast and Android TV hardware on your local network, but Google also seems to "remember" at least some devices that have been connected before but are no longer active. The Play Store credit is redeemable for apps, in-app purchases, movies and television, music, and books - anything that's sold on the store.
The Nexus 6 is a pretty fantastic piece of Android hardware. The Nexus 9 is... a tablet that runs Lollipop. And even some hardcore Android fans have yet to be sold on Android Wear. But if you're in the market for any of those devices right now, you want to get them from the new Google Store, at least if you live in the United States. Google is offering of free Play Store credit with a new purchase of the N6, N9, or any Android Wear device.
If you're one of the few people in the US who wants a Chromecast for your living room and doesn't yet have one, you might want to check out this Best Buy sale. The already inexpensive dongle has been reduced to $29.99 ($5 off), and it comes with $20 of free Google Play Store credit. Assuming you'll eventually spend twenty bones on the Play Store (and I should hope any regular AP reader would), the effective price is a cool ten bucks.
For a limited time, Google is giving out $35 in Play Store credit to anyone in the US who buys both a Nexus 7 and a Chromecast. If there are enough things you want from the Play Store to spend $35 bucks on, then this deal is similar to buying a Nexus 7 with a bunch of content and getting a Chromecast tossed in for free.
Google would love for you to put a Nexus 7 under someone's tree this holiday season, but they also don't want anyone who can't part with $229+ at the moment to feel left out - so they're now offering customers who purchase a Chromecast from Google Play with a free HD movie rental. If Play Movies isn't quite your cup of tea, you're also free to take $6 in Play Store credit instead. You can then spend that money however you like, except on devices or subscriptions.
Update: Google has updated its Play gift card support page to reflect this change, and this change hints that at some point this feature might allow you to gift Play Store credit:
Thinking about picking up a Nexus 7? You might want to get on that before the end of this month (right here), as the $25 Play Store credit promotion Google announced with its slate at Google I/O expires on September 30th. That means you must redeem the promotion before that date by signing into your Nexus 7 with a Google Wallet-linked Google account (that has a credit or debit card on file). Here are the terms indicating as such, emphasis ours: