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Android owners warned over new apps on Google Play Store that could empty bank accounts of whopping £5,000

Android owners warned over new apps on Google Play Store that could empty bank accounts of whopping £5,000

Scottish Sun23-05-2025

Currently, the most expensive app on the Google Play Store appears to be a spoof game called Fisherpunk, which costs an eyewatering £300
FAT THUMBS Android owners warned over new apps on Google Play Store that could empty bank accounts of whopping £5,000
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ANDROID owners should be wary of a big change coming to the Google Play Store that means some apps could cost thousands to install.
Google has just raised its pricing limit from £1,000 to £4,999, according to Android Authority.
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Google has made sure these apps have to prove themselves before whacking on such a lofty price tag
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The tech giant bumped its maximum app prices from £200 to £400 in 2015, and then again last year to £1,000.
The price limit applies worldwide - except South Korea, which will stick to the equivalent of a £400 maximum.
So if you see any blisteringly expensive apps on the Play Store - it's not a glitch, or a joke.
You don't want to accidentally buy something you cannot really afford.
READ MORE ON ANDROID
SOUNDS PHONEY Google admits all Android TV viewers will soon see MORE pop-ups on telly apps
And they're not scams either.
Google has made sure these apps have to prove themselves before whacking on such a lofty price tag.
For example, only established developers in good standing with Google are eligible.
These apps must also prove they are bringing in at least $1million a year in app sales.
Then they can formally request Google give them the uplift, after explaining exactly why the pricing is justified.
Google's Gemini AI app lets you chat out loud with shockingly humanlike virtual helper
It's not yet clear what type of apps could cost so much - or who would be buying them.
Although the appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) applications could explain it.
Google itself recently introduced an eye-watering $3,000 per year subscription for AI Ultra - so it's no surprise these big numbers are on the brain.
Currently, the most expensive app on the Google Play Store appears to be a spoof game called Fisherpunk, which costs an eyewatering £300.
Despite its price, and incredibly basic design, Fisherpunk has been downloaded more than 1,000 times.
On the rival Apple Store, CyberTuner, a software tool for tuning pianos, is available for a whopping £999.

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