How to Update Google Play Billing Library Before the August 31 Deadline

Editorial team

August 14, 2026

How to update Google Play Billing Library before the August 31 deadline – check version, integrate latest library, test purchases and release early

A step-by-step guide to identifying your current version, upgrading, and validating before Google starts rejecting updates.

‍

The Situation

Platform Android · Google Play Store

Status Upcoming enforcement - August 31, 2026

Google Play Console is actively surfacing warnings for apps using a deprecated version of the Google Play Billing Library. From August 31, 2026, any app update that doesn't meet the minimum version requirement will be rejected. If you need more time, you can request an extension until November 1, 2026 via Play Console.

Google recommends updating to version 9 to access the latest monetization features, though any version 8.0.0 or later satisfies the enforcement requirement.

Developers should also review third-party SDK providers - RevenueCat, Adapty, Purchasely, and framework-specific billing plugins all bundle the Play Billing Library and must be at 8.0.0+ as well.

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Step 1: Check Your Current Version

‍

In Play Console

1. Open Google Play Console.

2. Select your app → Policy status (under Policy and programs).

3. If you see "App must use Google Play Billing Library version 8.0.0 or later," the warning is active.

‍

In Your Code

Open your app-level build.gradle (or build.gradle.kts):

// Groovy
implementation 'com.android.billingclient:billing:X.X.X'
// KTS
implementation("com.android.billingclient:billing:X.X.X")
```
If `X.X.X` is below `8.0.0`, you're affected.

‍

Step 2: Update the Dependency

Update to version 9 (recommended):

// Groovy
implementation 'com.android.billingclient:billing:9.0.0'
// KTS
implementation("com.android.billingclient:billing:9.0.0")

Review the Google Play Billing release notes and the migration guide to v9 for the full API diff from earlier versions.

‍

Step 3: Check Third-Party SDKs

Many SDKs bundle their own version of the Play Billing Library. Run:

./gradlew app:dependencies | grep billingclient

‍

This prints all resolved versions, including transitive dependencies. If any version is below 8.0.0, update the affected SDK or force a resolution:

configurations.all {
    resolutionStrategy {
        force 'com.android.billingclient:billing:9.0.0'
    }
}

Key SDKs to check RevenueCat, Adapty, Purchasely, and any framework-level billing plugin (Flutter, React Native, Unity).

‍

Step 4: Validate All Purchase Flows

Run through every monetization path:

One-time purchase (consumable and non-consumable)
New subscription purchase
Subscription upgrade / downgrade
Subscription cancellation and restore
Purchase acknowledgement (unacknowledged purchases refunded after 3 days)
Pending transactions
Error states: cancellation, payment failure, network error

‍

Use the Google Play Billing test environment with test accounts.

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Step 5: Publish to Internal Track First

Build a release AAB with the updated Billing Library.
Upload to Internal Testing in Play Console.
Verify the Policy status warning clears (may take a few hours after processing).
Run the purchase validation checklist.
Roll out to production before August 31.

‍

If You Need More Time

Eligible developers can request a one-time extension through Play Console. Approved extensions move your deadline to November 1, 2026. Extension request forms will be available in Play Console. Only request if you have a concrete blocker — the August 31 enforcement date itself is not changing.

‍

Timeline

Date	Event
June 30, 2025	Google Play Billing Library 8 released
Now	Active warnings in Play Console for affected apps
August 31, 2026	Effective date — updates rejected without Billing Library 8.0.0+
November 1, 2026	Extension deadline (if approved)

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Official References

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Conclusion

To avoid Google Play update rejections after August 31, 2026, developers should ensure their app uses Google Play Billing Library 8.0.0 or later. Upgrading to version 9.0.0 is recommended for access to the latest billing capabilities and improvements.

Before releasing, verify both your direct and third-party billing dependencies, test all purchase and subscription flows, and validate the updated build through the Internal Testing track in Play Console. If additional time is required, eligible developers can request an extension until November 1, 2026.

In short: update, test, validate, and publish before the deadline to keep your app compliant and avoid disruption to future updates.

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