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androidgoogle-playin-app-billingaidl

Google Play Billing : how to simulate 'Account Hold' status (in debug/sandbox mode)

Before November 2020, an Android app on Google Play has to manage 'Account Hold' status.

https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-policies

Question is: how to simulate 'Account Hold' status so that I can check that my app manages properly this status ?

It is not mentioned in the doc as far as I can see: https://developer.android.com/google/play/billing/test

Thanks.

Solution

  • What we've found today:

    1. Use Test Card, Always Approves to begin the subscription
    2. Go to phone settings > Accounts > your name > your Google account > Payments > Manage Subscriptions (or Play Store > Subscriptions)
    3. Update the Payment Method for that subscription to use Test Card, Always Declines
    4. After the 30min renewal timer runs out, you'll get a "On Hold" push notification
    5. Look at your app, see how it's doing

    This On Hold state only lasts for about 5mins before reverting to Canceled. So if you want to test how your app reacts to users fixing their card problem, make sure you Update your payment method to Test Card, Always Approves within that time window or you'll need to start over.