Android phone owners will now be able to pay for all their Google Play purchases using PayPal.
The popular online payment service, which gained worldwide attention thanks to its links with eBay, can be used by customers in twelve countries, including the US and UK, to purchase apps, games, books, and other media.
When customers from these countries make a purchase on Google Play, PayPal will now be offered as an option in their Google Wallet – all they need to do is enter their PayPal account login details and they will then be able to make purchases. In-app purchases can also be bought with the online payments provider.
Google announced the news on its Android Developers Blog, saying that it hoped to make Google Play payments "easier and more convenient" for people around the world.
Sales of apps and games on Google Play had increased by more than 300% over the past year, the blog said, with two-thirds of purchases taking place outside of the US.
Google Play Product Manager Ibrahim Elbouchikhi, wrote: "Our goal is to provide users with a frictionless payment experience, and this new integration is another example of how we work with partners from across the payments industry to deliver this to the user."
However, PayPal cannot be used to purchase devices or accessories on Google Play or for other purchases that use Google Wallet outside of the Play Store.
The full list of countries now able to use PayPal in Google Play is Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United States, United Kingdom.
Google also announced that it has also expanded carrier billing capability to seven more countries, making 24 in total, meaning that almost half of all Google Play users now having this option when making their purchases. The company is also expanding the availability of its gift cards, which can now be found in 13 countries across the world.
