Advantages and pitfalls: loot boxes and small change: in-app purchases can be expensive
In-app purchases are usually a cash cow for providers, but for users, they are often obscure trickery. What you need to know about risks, protection mechanisms, and flexible purchasing options.
The German app market is expected to generate 2.2 billion euros in in-app purchases in 2025, according to the Digitalverband Bitkom. In-app purchases allow users to buy digital content, such as virtual items, premium functions, or subscriptions, directly within an app. These purchases are common in games, where users can buy virtual currencies, characters, or faster progress.
Experts warn that in-app purchases can pose risks, particularly for children and teenagers, due to hidden or frequent small purchases, and that users should be cautious with their payment information and monitor their spending. Users can usually restrict or disable in-app purchases through settings on their device or by contacting the app provider.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
