Accidentally buying an app in the Play Store could soon be a thing of the past as Google Play has started rolling out its new swipe-to-confirm gesture feature as a double-check measure to prevent unwanted purchases.
Indeed, Google is replacing its one-tap buy button with a more deliberate lateral swipe to confirm a purchase, in line with its previous announcement of this change that aims to prevent accidental purchases, according to the report by Android Authority published on April 24.
Google Play introduces swipe-to-confirm gesture
As a reminder, the company last month said it would introduce a swipe gesture for making purchases on Google Play instead of a buy button and, recently, Telegram user @Adamzampahere reported that the feature has begun rolling out on some devices, alongside screenshots.
Specifically, the gesture appears to be part of version 45.8.21-31 of the Play Store app despite Google earlier stating it would be available in version 45.6. Per the screenshots, the feature replaces the old one-tap ‘buy’ or ‘subscribe’ button, forcing the user to swipe to the right to complete a purchase instead.
Alongside the existing purchase verification mechanisms, including biometrics and a password, this feature should minimize the number of accidental purchases of apps and paid subscriptions that the user might not even be aware of until they check their credit card statements.
Google Play also allows you to set the frequency of purchase verification (for every purchase, every 30 minutes, or never) for even more convenience, so your hard-earned money has now received another protective measure to stay in your wallet – physical or digital.
Meanwhile, Google seems to be preparing to overhaul its Android Settings and make it a bit more expressive, adding colorful icons on the homepage as part of an update to Material Design 3, which it might present at I/O 2025 this May, almost five years after the last major update.
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