How to Set Up Android In-App Purchases

Introduction #

Selling courses or memberships through Google Play Billing enables a seamless, compliant checkout experience for your Android users.

This guide walks you through setting up your Google payments profile, creating in-app and subscription products, and linking them to your Learndash App.

Create a Google Payments Profile #

1. Log into Google Play Console.
   
2. Go to Settings > Developer account > Payment settings.
3. Click Create Payments Profile.
   
4. Fill in:
   
   • Business location, Account type, Address
     
   • Primary contact and Public business info
     
5. Click Submit.
   

You can now begin adding In-App Products and Subscriptions.

Create an In-App Product (One-Time Purchase) #

1. Go to All Apps > select your app.
   
2. In sidebar: Monetize > Products > In-app products.
   
3. Click Create product.
   
4. Enter:
   
   • Product ID (e.g., com.animals.cats.siamese)
     
   • Product name and Description
     
5. Under Price, click Set price, enter default price, and click Apply prices.
6. Click Save, then Activate.
   

Create a Subscription Product #

Note: Subscriptions now support multiple base plans and offers. At least one base plan must be marked as Backwards Compatible.

1. In sidebar: Monetize > Products > Subscriptions.
   
2. Click Create subscription.
3. Enter:
   
   • Product ID (e.g., com.animals.cats.siamese)
     
   • Name (visible to users)
4. Under Subscription Details:
   
   • Add Name, Description, and Benefits
     
5. Scroll to Base Plans and Offers > click Add base plan:
   
   • Base plan ID
     
   • Renewal type: Auto-renewing or Prepaid
     
   • Tags, Availability, and Pricing
     
   • Mark one plan as Backwards Compatible
     
6. Click Save, then Activate.
   

Link Products to the Learndash App #

1. In WordPress > Learndash App > In-App Purchases > Products, click Add New
2. Fill in:
   
   • Name, optional Tagline, Description, and Benefits
     
   • Check Display on Products Screen
     
   • Select Paid as Product Type
3. Under Android Store:
   
   • Check Enable
     
   • Click Sync with Google and select your product
     
4. Choose Integration Type (LearnDash Course or Membership).
   
5. Click Publish.
   

Repeat for all products.

Test Android In-App Purchases #

Using Test App Builds #

1. Install the Test App on your device.
   
2. Log in and visit the Products Screen.
   
3. Tap Purchase > test builds simulate real purchases at no cost.
   
4. Verify access to your course or membership.
   
5. In WordPress, go to Learndash App > Transactions to view or Revoke test orders.
   

Troubleshooting & FAQs #

Q: Price update isn’t reflected in app, what should I do?
A: Re-sync the product in WordPress and force-close the app.

Q: What to do if my test purchases don’t reset?
A: Use the Revoke button under Transactions, then restart the Test App.