If Google Play shows “Download failed because you may not have purchased this app” (or “You haven’t purchased this app”), it usually doesn’t mean you’re lying. It means Google Play can’t confirm the right Google account / purchase / eligibility for that app on this device.
Google explains that apps you bought can be used on any Android device as long as you’re signed in with the same Google Account that bought it.
App Fixes Hub (Complete Guide)
Do these first
- Check you’re on the right Google account in Play Store (people with 2 accounts get this error the most).
- Go to Play Store → Profile → Manage apps & device → Manage → Not installed and install it from your library (this confirms ownership correctly).
- Clear Play Store cache, and if needed clear Play Store data (Google says cache/data clearing is the most common fix for download issues).
- If it’s supposed to be shared with Family, confirm the app is eligible for Family Library (many items can’t be shared).
Why this error happens
This message usually comes from one of these situations:
- You bought the app on another Google account (same phone, different account)
- The app was shared (Family Library), but it’s not eligible or not added correctly
- You’re trying to download from a testing link (alpha/beta/internal test) with the wrong account
- Your Play Store app is stuck (cache/data issue)
- The app is restricted by country/region (common with some games)
1) First: Switch to the account that actually purchased the app
On Android, Play Store can hold multiple accounts. If you bought it on “Account A” but you’re browsing on “Account B,” downloads can break.
What to do:
- Open Play Store
- Tap profile icon (top-right)
- Switch accounts and try the download again
Google’s official help is clear: if you’re asked to buy again or can’t find the app, use the same Google account you bought it with.
2) Verify you truly bought it
Before you waste time troubleshooting, confirm the purchase exists on that account.
Google says your order history is available in Play Store under Payments & subscriptions → Budget & history, and you’ll also get a confirmation email on the account used.
Do this:
- Play Store → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Budget & history
- Or check your email for the receipt on the same Google account
If there’s no purchase record, it’s usually the wrong account (or it wasn’t purchased).
3) Install it from your library (this solves a lot)
Instead of searching the store listing, install it from your owned apps list.
Google’s steps:
Play Store → Profile → Manage apps & device → Manage → Not installed → select the app → Install.
This route forces Play Store to match your library, not just a public listing.
4) Clear Play Store cache (safe) → then data (strong)
If Play Store is “confused,” cache/data cleanup usually fixes it.
Google says:
- Clearing cache/data is the most common solution for download issues
- Clearing data may remove some Play Store settings (like parental controls/password protection)
Steps: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage & cache → Clear cache → retry → then Clear storage/data if needed.
5) Uninstall Play Store updates (when it suddenly started happening)
Sometimes this error starts right after an update.
Google includes an official “uninstall & reinstall Play Store updates” troubleshooting flow.
Path: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → (⋮) → Uninstall updates → reopen Play Store → update it again.
6) If it’s a Family Library purchase, check eligibility + sharing
Family Library is not “share everything.” Google lists multiple limits and says apps/games sharing may be limited in some countries, and you can’t share in-app purchases or free downloads.
Do this:
- Open the app page → scroll down → look for “Eligible for Family Library”
- Make sure the Family manager added it to Family Library
7) If you left a Family group, you may have lost access
Google says if content is removed from Family Library (or someone leaves/deletes the family group), you may need to purchase the content to use it again.
That’s a common “it worked last week, now it says not purchased” situation.
8) If you used a testing link, confirm the same account joined the test
This error shows up a lot for:
- closed testing links
- internal testing
- alpha/beta tracks
Quick rule: the Google account that joined the test must be the same one downloading on the device.
9) Try downloading from the Play Store website (quick sanity check)
Sometimes the Play Store app UI is stuck. Open the same app on Play Store web (on PC or mobile browser), then try “Install on device.”
(If it works on web but not phone, your Play Store app cache/session is the issue → go back to Fix #4.)
10) If the app is region-limited, you may not be eligible on this account
Some apps are restricted by region. If the app page itself is blocked, that can lead to weird download errors.
This Item Isn’t Available in Your Country (Play Store): Fixes
11) If you recently changed Play country or payments profile, wait for syncing
Country/profile changes can take time to sync (and purchases can temporarily act weird across devices).
If you’re seeing purchase/country messages too, go straight to your dedicated guide:
Your Purchase Couldn’t Be Completed (Play Country/Residence): Fix
12) Paid app, but checkout fails? Fix payment method first
If you’re trying to re-download a paid app and Play keeps failing payment validation, use the payment troubleshooting post:
Google Play Payment Declined / Transaction Failed: Fixes
13) Device integrity issues can break purchase validation
If the device is not Play Protect certified, some Play behaviors become unreliable.
Device Is Not Play Protect Certified (Fix)
14) Last resort: remove extra Google accounts (temporary test)
If you have 2–3 Google accounts on the phone, remove the ones you don’t use for purchases, reboot, and try again.
Then add them back later.
(You don’t have to do this for everyone, but it fixes stubborn account-token conflicts.)
FAQs
Why does it say I didn’t purchase an app I already bought?
Most often: you’re signed into a different Google account. Google says re-downloads require the same account used to buy the app.
How do I confirm my purchase?
Check Play Store order history under Payments & subscriptions → Budget & history.
Can Family Library fix this?
Only if the app is eligible and added to the Family Library. Google lists eligibility rules and limits.
Will clearing Play Store data delete my apps?
No. But Google notes it may remove some Play Store settings (parental controls/password protection).
Sources
- Google Play Help: Reinstall & re-enable apps (same account requirement + library install path + cache/data is common fix). (Google Help)
- Google Play Help: Review your order history (where to verify purchases + receipt email). (Google Help)
- Google Play Help: Family Library rules & eligibility limits. (Google Help)
