How to Get Google Stadia Refunds

Google Stadia is shutting down. Google shared the news at the end of September and said it would be offering refunds for users who purchased games and apps on the video game streaming service. Now, many users are wondering how to go about getting those refunds. Here's what you need to know.

First, Google is offering refunds to any Stadia purchases made through the Google Store. That means any video games, post-release downloadable content, physical hardware and applications. Additionally, if you purchased the items using a credit or debit card that is no longer active, Google will still process the refund; however, you'll be sent an email down the line to sort through all the details.

For those looking to get a refund right now, Google has yet to share details about how it will handle them. The company has not provided information on whether the refunds will be handled automatically or if users will need to apply for them through the Stadia website or app.

Google won't require users to return physical hardware in order to receive a refund, either. However, if you purchased the hardware at a third-party retailer, such as Best Buy, Google won't be offering a refund for it. The only purchases eligible for a refund are those that were made on the Google Store. Users also shouldn't travel to brick-and-mortar Google Store locations, as these retailers will not be processing the requests.

It is also worth noting that Google will not be offering refunds for Stadia Pro subscriptions. So, if you're still signed up and no longer want to spend that money each month, make sure to cancel your subscription. If you want to continue using Stadia until it shuts down in January, you'll still be able to access the "perks" the service offers until the day it is shut down.

However, Stadia's death is not the end of the technology that powers the streaming service. Google has already noted that it plans to utilize it as a Google Cloud technology, and possibly as a way to run games on underpowered devices. So, while Stadia is shutting down, the tech may appear in other Google apps and services down the line.

Google Stadia's impending shutdown is not something that has come out of nowhere. Rumors about the service's demise have been circling for a while. Since Google stopped making games for Stadia in 2019, and even before, many saw the writing on the wall. As users wait for Stadia to shut down, it's highly recommended they do not make any additional purchases on the streaming service.