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If you're seeing "Restore Purchase" in a mobile app or game, it's a helpful option that lets you access content you've previously downloaded or purchased. Whether you've switched to a new phone or downloaded an app you've once deleted, you'll often be asked if you want to restore purchases for game items, subscriptions, music, TV shows, and other media you bought in the past. Though similar to the word "refund," restoring a purchase does not return money to you. This wikiHow guide will explain what it means to restore a purchase and teach you how to do so using your iPhone or iPad.
Things You Should Know
- Restoring purchases puts deleted purchases back on your device. This is helpful if you transferred devices or performed a factory reset.
- To restore a purchase on iOS, open the app used for the purchase. Locate the "Restore Purchase" button.
- If you want to get money back for a purchase, you'll need to request a refund instead.
Steps
How to Restore Purchases
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Open the app used to purchase the item. If you purchased a song from Apple Music, open Apple Music. If you purchased an in-app content from a game, open the game.[2]
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Tap Restore Purchase. This will vary depending on each app. Check the app's menu, store, Settings menu, or Options menu. If the app offers in-app purchases, there should be a Restore button.
- If needed, tap Yes to confirm Restore Purchase.
- You may need to contact Apple if you're unable to locate your in-app purchases, or contact the app developer directly.