Google Play Pass In India: 12 Things To Know About The Ad-Free Subscription Service For Apps And Games

In some ways, Google Play Pass is to apps and games what Netflix is to films and shows — a paid service that gives users access to content. 

By Akriti Rana and Nimish Dubey

Google has finally launched Play Pass in India. The service, which was launched in 2019 in the US, is basically a subscription service, and is now available in 90 countries, as per Google. It gives consumers the option to access a special selection of games and apps on the Google Play Store, without having to make any additional payments (whether in-app or up front) or even having to watch those ads that seem to pop up on a lot of games and apps. In some ways, it is to apps what Netflix is to films and shows — a paid service that gives users access to content. 

Although it is still in its early days, Google Play Pass could well change the way we download apps and games in the future. Here are the main features of Google Play Pass:

1. Google Play Pass Is A Subscription Service

Google Play Pass is a bit like a Netflix or a Hotstar subscription. Only, you get access to apps and games, instead of films and shows. Users who do not have the Play Pass will need to pay to use the same apps and games, whereas those with a Play Pass have to just make a single monthly or annual payment. 

2. Cost Is Lower Than That In The US

You can get a Google Play Pass for Rs 99 per month, or Rs 899 per year, which is lesser than the cost of some apps and games. There is also the option of getting a prepaid one-month subscription for Rs 109. All those who sign up for Play Pass can access the service free for the first month. These rates are remarkably low, when you consider what it costs in the US — USD 4.99 per month or USD 29.99 per year.

And once you have signed up for Google Play Pass, you can download and use as many apps and games as you want, as long as they are part of the Google Play Pass list. 

3. A Single Pass Can Be Used By Up To 5 People

That single pass can be used by up to five people in the same family. Up to five people using the Google Family Group feature can share a single Google Play Pass. The family manager of the Group will have to share the subscription.

The difference the Play Pass makes can be gauged by the fact that AudioLab comes with in-app products that cost anything from Rs 150 to Rs 1000, and you will get them all free of cost if you access the app through a Play Pass! Similarly, Titan Quest can set you back by Rs 520, but you get it free if you have a Play Pass. 

4. Over A Thousand Games And Apps 

Although there are no exact figures of the number of games and apps available to Google Play Pass users, Google claims that the service will give subscribers access to "a high-quality and curated collection of 1000+ titles across 41 categories from developers across 59 countries."  The important thing to note here is that all these apps and games will be complete in themselves, with no ads or in-app purchases! 

5. Spotting Google Play Pass Games And Apps 

You can access the apps and games covered by Google Play Pass by opening Google Play on your Android device, and then heading to the "Play Pass" tab at the base of the app — it is generally on the extreme left. You can also find out if an app comes under Google Play Pass by checking if it has a "Play Pass" logo.

6. Some Big Names There

We do not have an exact list of the games and apps available for Google Play Pass holders right now, but there are some very high profile titles there. These include the award-winning Monument Valley, the PC classic Titan Quest, Jungle Adventures, World Cricket Battle 2, and very high-profile apps like  Unit Converter and AudioLab. Google says that this collection of games and apps will be added to regularly, increasing the number of titles consumers can access. That said, titles like Call of Duty, Genshin Impact and PUBG are not part of the Google Play Pass package. Not yet, anyway. 

7. Google Play Pass Works With Just About Every Android Device

Google Play Pass works only with Android devices. It works with both phones and tablets. It is compatible with any device running Android 4.4 and above, and running Play Store version 16.6.25 and above. Considering that more than 90 per cent of Android devices out there are running Android 6 and above, it is a fair chance that if you have purchased your phone or tablet within the past five years, it will play nice with Google Play Pass.

8. Getting A Play Pass Is Easy

Purchasing a Google Play Pass is very easy. You would need an Android device, a valid payment method and your own Google account to get a Pass — you cannot use an account managed by your parent or your organisation. Also, you need a Gmail account — other email IDs do not work. 

To get the Pass, all you have to do is open the Google Play app on your Android device and tap on the profile icon (generally your photograph or an image chosen by you) on the top right corner. Among the options that appear, simply choose "Play Pass," and carry on from there. 

Note: do not get alarmed if you do not see the "Play Pass" option on your profile. The feature is being rolled out even as this is being written. 

9. What Happens When Google Play Pass Subscription Ends 

A key question in the minds of many is what will happen to the apps and games one has downloaded using a Google Play Pass, after one's subscription ends. Well, if they are free, they will stay on your device, although in many cases, ads will start appearing on them. Apps with a price tag, however, cannot be used, although data from them is saved, so you can purchase them separately if need be. The same applies to in-app features that come at a price — you will need to purchase them to be able to use them once your subscription ends. 

10. What If A Game Or App Is Dropped From The Google Play Pass List 

The apps and games in the Google Play Pass keep changing, so it is possible (although rare so far) for an app or game to be dropped from the list. If this happens, and you have downloaded the app using a Play Pass, you might be able to use it for a little longer, but will ultimately have to either pay for it or to get access to paid features or to get rid of ads in it. In simple terms,  you lose access to the app when Google knocks it off the list. 

11. Google Play Pass Vs Apple Arcade

Google Play Pass will remind many of Apple Arcade, which also comes with a Rs 99 per month subscription. Like Google Play Pass, Apple Arcade also gives users access to select content which comes with no ads and no price tags. The big difference, however, is that while Google Play Pass covers games as well as apps, Apple Arcade is only for games. 

12. Should you go for it?

So should you subscribe to Google Play Pass? Well, if you are the sort of person who likes to experiment with the latest apps or games that are creating a buzz, then you might want to give the Pass a miss as the selection out there has more to do with quality than with being new. However, if you are looking for a clean, uncluttered experience and want to use some productivity apps or play games without being egged on to make in-app purchases or forced to watch ads, then the Google Play Pass is a very good deal at Rs 99 per month. At Rs 899 per year, it is a great option for the family, as you get access to complete, ad-free apps.