If you want to return a game from the Xbox Store digital, there is an important detail you should know

The Xbox refund policy is not as flexible as many believe.

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Buying digital games on the Xbox Store is quick and easy, but it can also lead to mistakes: impulsive purchases, wrong versions, or titles that just don’t fit you. That’s why many players assume they can request a refund if they’ve barely played. However, the reality is quite different.

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In recent days, several users have confirmed a situation that continues to generate confusion: Xbox support does not guarantee a refund for a digital game, even if it has been played for less than 20 minutes, even if the purchase was made within the usual 14-day period.

Xbox Refund Policy: What You Need to Know Before Buying

Although Microsoft indicates that refunds are studied on a case-by-case basis, there is an unwritten rule that is being applied frequently. The mere fact of having started the game can be enough reason for the refund to be rejected, regardless of the playing time.

These are the most important points you should be clear about:

• There is no “automatic right” to a refund for digital games

• Playing less than 20 minutes does not guarantee anything

• Being within the 14 days since the purchase does not ensure a refund

• The final decision depends on the account history and the support team’s discretion

• Repeated purchases with refund requests reduce the chances of approval

In practice, Xbox treats digital games as consumable content from the very beginning, something very different from what happens on other digital platforms.

So, before buying on the Xbox Store, it’s a good idea to be cautious: check the edition carefully, check if the title is on Game Pass, try demos if they exist, and avoid impulsive purchases. Once you click “buy” and run the game, there may be no going back, even if you’ve only passed the initial menu.