Kid got into your app store account? You may still get that money back.
“All sales are final” is the standard first answer — it's not always the last word. Answer six questions and get a real score on your case, free, in 90 seconds.
Already sure of your case? Write your refund request free. No documents needed.
Why “all sales final” isn't the end of it
App stores deny these fast because it's the cheapest response, not necessarily the correct one. Whether you have a case often comes down to things like whether a purchase password or parental controls were active, how quickly you reported it, and the pattern of charges in a short window.
This exact issue has already reached regulators once. The FTC required Apple to refund at least $32.5 million after finding the company hadn't done enough to stop children from making in-app purchases without a parent's knowledge — the investigation found that entering a password for one purchase could open a 15-minute window where a child could keep buying without re-entering it. Apple was also required to change its billing practices as part of that settlement.
That history is why Apple's current process (via reportaproblem.apple.com, choosing “Request a refund” and picking a reason such as an unauthorized purchase) exists at all, and why a clearly explained, well-documented request for an unauthorized child purchase has real precedent behind it — even though Apple's own terms state that refunds aren't guaranteed and each request is reviewed individually.
The practical upshot: a vague “my kid bought something, can I have my money back” message is easy to auto-deny. A request that specifies the purchases, the timeframe, and that parental controls weren't in place at the time is a materially different, stronger submission.
“My 7-year-old bypassed my tablet’s passcode and racked up over $150 in microtransactions. App store support said digital sales were final. Jon helped me organize the details and prepare my request. Three days later the money was back.”
What happens after your score
You only pay if the score says there's something worth pursuing.
Get your score
Free, instantly. Including an honest "don't bother" if that's the answer.
Send your evidence
Receipt, emails, screenshots, and whatever the merchant told you.
Nothing goes out unchecked
Not a template. If it's weaker than your score suggested, you're refunded.
You send the request
In your own name, to the merchant. You stay in control throughout.
What we handle
WORTH CHECKING
- Unauthorized purchases by a child
- Purchases made without consent
- An unusual purchase pattern in a short window
NOT A FIT
- You approved the purchase and changed your mind afterward
Sources
This isn't legal advice — it's background on the policies and rules involved. Always check the current terms of the platform or lender you're dealing with.
Other refund situations
Different purchase, same six-question score. Pick the closest case.
Charged twice, or billed after you cancelled?
Duplicate charges and failed cancellations are some of the clearest refund cases there are.
Course “guarantee” not what it seemed?
Undisclosed conditions on a refund guarantee are a solid, specific case to make.
Auto-denied for “too much playtime”?
If the time on record doesn't reflect actual play, that's worth making a case over.
Find out where you stand
Six questions. Ninety seconds. No email, no payment to see your score. $8 if you want the request written — refunded either way.