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Google Play Rolls Out In-App Shop for Third-Party Gift Cards in U.S., U.K., and Mexico

Google set country-specific purchase limits to deter gift card scams.

Overview

  • Android users can now buy and send digital cards from dozens of brands, including Disney, Starbucks, Adidas, AMC, Target, Lego, and Ulta.
  • The new Gift Cards section appears in the Play Store app under your profile or by searching “gift cards,” with desktop access not fully available.
  • Most deliveries arrive within an hour and can take up to 24 hours, with recipients getting a link or code via email or SMS.
  • Daily purchase caps apply by country (about $250 in the U.S., £250 in the U.K., roughly MXN 5,000 in Mexico), many retailers offer roughly $15–$100 per card, and cross‑border redemption is blocked.
  • Google bars resale, business use, buying other gift cards, and payment with Play balance or Play Points, and multiple reports point to Blackhawk Network as the rollout partner.