Can I use a PayPal donation button in my Android app in Google Play?

Question

My country is not supported by Google for a Merchant account so I can't publish paid apps. But I would like to get some donations from my users. I know that Google says in their policy that all payments must go through Google Play.

How about donations? Can I use a donation button, which links to PayPal to accept donations? Or can I use the PayPal Mobile Payment Libraries (MPL) to accept donations?

Answer 1

Google Play says you can't (unless you are a validated non-profit charitable organization).

However, you can try putting the link to your website into the app, where you have a PayPal donation button (along with other info about the app, of course). It doesn't seem to break the Google Play rules. But I wouldn't recommend naming this button "Donate". Maybe, "Support development of this app" would be a good choice.

Answer 2

I contacted them and they replied as below:

Thank you for contacting the Google Play Team.

I see that your question is regarding accepting donations through PayPal. Donations may only be collected within an app under certain conditions:

1. Donations are only permitted for validated non-profit charitable organizations (for example, a validated 501(c)(3) charitable organization or the local equivalent).

2. Donations must be facilitated via a web browser, and any collection must be made through a secure payment system.

If you belong to an eligible charitable organization, please follow these steps:

1. Attach a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter or other acceptable proof in your reply to this notification. The provided information must indicate your status as a charitable organization.

2. Ensure your app only facilitates donations via a web browser as specified above.

3. Submit your app for review.

Alternatively, if you are not a charitable organization, you must remove the donation functionality from your app, or accept payment through Google Play's in-app billing service or Paid app distribution on the Play Store. You can learn more about in-app billing in our Help Center: http://developer.android.com/google/play/billing/index.html

I hope this helps. Thank you for your support of Google Play.

Regards, Bruce The Google Play Team