What is RefundShield
RefundShield is an automated refund protection service for iOS and Android apps. When a customer requests a refund through the App Store or Google Play, the store notifies your server, and RefundShield responds on your behalf with the right data to protect your revenue. (On Google Play, only chargeback-related refunds can be contested via the API.)
The Problem
Every mobile developer loses revenue to refund abuse. Customers can purchase in-app content, use it fully, and then request a refund, often getting their money back while keeping the content. Without a response from the developer, the store approves most refund requests by default.
The Solution
RefundShield integrates directly with both platforms:
- Apple: via App Store Server Notifications V2 and the App Store Server API.
- Google: via Real-time Developer Notifications (Pub/Sub) and the Google Play Developer API (Voided Purchases &
orders.reviewrefund).
When a refund request comes in, RefundShield:
- Receives the notification in real-time from Apple or Google
- Analyzes the transaction data (purchase date, renewal history, usage patterns)
- Responds to the store with a refund preference based on your chosen protection level
- Logs every event so you can monitor what's happening
Key Benefits
- No SDK required: works entirely server-side via webhooks. No changes to your app binary.
- 5-minute setup: connect your App Store or Google Play credentials and you're protected.
- Configurable protection: choose from Maximum, Medium, or Minimum presets to match your business needs.
- Real-time monitoring: see every refund event, decision, and the store's response in your dashboard.
- Email reports: get daily, weekly, or monthly summaries delivered to your inbox.
Who is it for?
RefundShield is designed for indie developers, studios, and companies with iOS or Android apps that have in-app purchases or subscriptions. If you're losing revenue to refund abuse (or simply not responding to the store's refund requests), RefundShield can help.