App Purchases - Things To Know From AT&T

Were you surprised by an app purchase? Did your 3 year old get a hold of your phone? It has happened to people I know and an issue I see on the forums. Check out the information below to learn about app purchases and information on how to manage them. 

Type of App Purchases and How To Address Them

Capability to charge mobile purchases to your wireless bill

You can make donations and purchase content, goods, and features (including subscriptions) such as apps and games from AT&T and other companies. Both AT&T and 3rd party mobile purchases can be directly billed to your AT&T wireless account and the cost of the purchase is sent in a text notification. These charges appear in separate sections of your bill. You are responsible for all charges for authorized purchases, but have the option to block these purchases by adding Purchase Blocker.

AT&T features and apps (includes subscriptions, apps, games, etc.)

• AT&T features are managed in myAT&T.
• To manage features offered directly through AT&T - such as AT&T Mobile Insurance, AT&T Navigator, AT&T FamilyMap® etc. - go to Change your wireless features.

3rd party features and apps (includes subscriptions, apps, games, etc.)

• All other features and apps are managed in Mobile Purchases.
• If the feature or app is not listed on AT&T features and apps, it’s from a 3rd party company.

Block mobile purchases charged to an AT&T account

Purchase Blocker is a free feature that allows you to block your device from making mobile purchases and buying subscriptions sold by other companies that would be billed to your AT&T account. Purchase Blocker also blocks some mobile purchases and subscriptions sold by AT&T.

When Purchase Blocker is on, existing mobile subscriptions will be canceled, and one-time purchase attempts will be unsuccessful (including one-time charitable donations). Purchase Blocker does not restrict mobile purchases paid with credit cards or other forms of payment.

How to block, cancel, and manage features and apps

Add Purchase Blocker
Purchase Blocker must be added to each wireless number you wish to block on your account. Purchase Blocker can be added to your wireless number by signing in to att.com/myatt and selecting Add or Change a feature. For help, chat with us online or call 800.331.0500 (611 from your AT&T wireless phone).

The following instructions are for managing 3rd party mobile purchases that are billed directly to your AT&T account. To view and manage your mobile purchases, you need the device used to make the purchases. To manage AT&T features, see Change or remove AT&T wireless features.

View 3rd party mobile purchases

1. Go to Mobile Purchases and enter the 10-digit AT&T wireless phone number of the device that was used to make the purchase.
2. Select Next. A free text message with an 8-digit one-time PIN will be sent to the device. You will need access to this device.
3. Enter the 8-digit one-time PIN, and then select Submit. On the Purchases History page, you'll see your recent mobile purchases.

Request a refund for a 3rd party mobile purchase
To request a refund for a mobile purchase:

1. Go to Mobile Purchases and enter the 10-digit AT&T wireless phone number of the device that was used to make the purchase.
2. Select Next. A free text message with an 8-digit one-time PIN will be sent to the device. You will need access to this device.
3. Enter the 8-digit one-time PIN, and then select Submit. On the Purchases Summary page, you'll see your recent mobile purchases.
4. Select the mobile purchase in question.
5. To request a refund, select Refund.
6. Enter the information requested in the fields provided, including an explanation of your refund request.
7. Select Submit.

To manage features directly through AT&T - go to Change your wireless plan and features.

Cancel a 3rd-party mobile subscription billed directly to your AT&T account
You can purchase third-party subscriptions directly from your device. If a subscription is billed to your AT&T account, you can cancel it using these steps:

1. Go to Mobile Purchases and enter the 10-digit AT&T wireless phone number of the device that was used to make the purchase.
2. Select Next. A free text message with an 8-digit one-time PIN will be sent to your mobile device. You will need access to this device.
3. Enter the 8-digit one-time PIN, and then select Submit. On the Purchases Summary page, you'll see your recent mobile purchases.
4. Select the subscription or feature you want to cancel.
5. Once the new page opens, check the box marked Cancel Subscription.
6. Select Submit.

Cancel a feature offered directly through AT&T
To remove a feature offered directly through AT&T - such as AT&T Mobile Insurance, AT&T Navigator, etc. - go to Change your wireless plan and features.

• Keep track of mobile purchases and subscriptions
• Request billing notification for mobile purchases

You can be notified by email or text message when a mobile purchase is billed to your account. To learn more, go to Billing notifications.

AT&T Smart Limits
Account owners can limit or block AT&T Mobile Purchases on their accounts. 

AT&T Smart Limits for wireless enables you to set boundaries for your children by blocking harassing calls and texts, limiting purchases that are direct billed to your account, setting time restrictions, limiting texting and preventing 411 charges. A monthly recurring charge will be incurred. Add or remove Smart Limits from your account.

AT&T Smart Limits can only limit mobile purchases billed through AT&T. It does not restrict credit card purchases from stores such as iTunes and Google Play.