EA App refunds work through the same system as Origin, with a 24-hour window after purchase and a one-refund-per-game limit

Electronic Arts (EA) processes refunds through the EA App (formerly Origin) using a straightforward but time-limited window. You have 24 hours from the moment of purchase to request a refund on most games, DLC, and in-game currency. The refund goes back to your original payment method — credit card, debit card, PayPal, or whatever you used to buy it. The money typically appears within 5 to 10 business days, though some payment processors take longer.

The one hard rule: you can request one refund per game title. If you buy a game, refund it, and then buy it again, you cannot refund it a second time. EA enforces this per-title, not per-account, so you could refund one game and still refund a different game later — but not the same one twice.

If you are past the 24-hour window or have already used your one refund on that title, you will need to contact EA Support directly. They can sometimes override the policy if the game is unplayable due to a technical issue on their end, but they will not refund for buyer's remorse alone.

Key Takeaways

  • You have exactly 24 hours from purchase to request a refund through the EA App, and the money returns to your original payment method.
  • Each game title is limited to one refund per account, so choose carefully if you think you might want your money back.
  • Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to show up, depending on your bank or payment processor.
  • If you are outside the 24-hour window, contact EA Support through the Help section in the EA App — they may override the policy for technical failures but not for change of mind.
  • In-game currency (like FIFA Points or Apex Coins) follows the same 24-hour rule but is harder to refund if you have already spent it in-game.

How to request a refund within the 24-hour window

Log into the EA App on your computer (the mobile app does not have a refund option). Go to your account menu in the top right corner and select Account. Click Purchases to see your order history. Find the game or item you want to refund and click on it.

You will see a Request a Refund button if you are still within 24 hours. Click it, select your reason from the dropdown (technical issue, accidental purchase, changed your mind, or other), and confirm. The system will process it immediately and send you a confirmation email. The refund request itself is instant, but the money moving back to your account takes several business days.

If the button does not appear, you are past the 24-hour window or have already refunded that title once before. In that case, you will need to contact EA Support.

What happens if you have already spent in-game currency

If you bought FIFA Points, Apex Coins, or any other in-game currency and spent it on cosmetics, battle pass tiers, or loot boxes, refunding becomes much harder. EA's policy says you cannot refund currency that has been used in-game, even within the 24-hour window.

The system will warn you before you confirm the refund: "You have spent X currency. Refunding will remove your purchases." If you proceed, EA will reverse the currency purchase but also remove anything you bought with it. This means if you spent 1,000 Apex Coins on a skin and then refunded the currency, you lose both the coins and the skin.

If you want to refund currency you have already spent, you must contact EA Support and explain the situation. They rarely override this, but they will sometimes make an exception if the currency was purchased by accident (for example, a child's purchase on a shared account).

Contacting EA Support when you are outside the refund window

Open the EA App and click the Help icon (usually a question mark) in the top right. Select Contact Us and choose Purchases and Refunds from the category list. You can then start a chat with an EA Support agent or submit a ticket.

Explain your situation clearly: the game title, the purchase date, and why you want a refund. If the game is crashing on startup or unplayable due to a bug on EA's end, mention that specifically — EA is more likely to refund for technical failures than for buyer's remorse. If you are outside the window purely because you changed your mind, be honest about it, but know that support will usually decline.

Response times vary. Chat support can give you an answer in minutes if an agent is available. Ticket submissions typically get a response within 24 to 48 hours, though during peak times it can take longer.

Refunds for pre-orders and early access

Pre-orders follow the same 24-hour rule, but the clock starts when you place the order, not when the game releases. If you pre-order a game three months early and change your mind two months later, you are well past the window and cannot refund through the automated system.

Early access games (games still in development that you can play before official release) are trickier. Some early access titles have longer refund windows — up to 30 days in some cases — but this depends on the individual game. Check the game's store page for its specific refund policy before you buy.

What to do if the refund does not appear after 10 business days

If you requested a refund and it has been more than 10 business days with no money back, contact your bank or payment processor first. Sometimes the refund is processed on EA's end but gets held up by your financial institution. Your bank can tell you whether the refund is pending or if it never arrived.

If your bank has no record of it, go back to EA Support with your refund confirmation email and the date you requested it. Provide your order number (visible in your purchase history) and ask them to check the status. They can resend the refund or investigate if something went wrong on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a game if I have played it for more than an hour?

Yes — unlike Steam, EA does not have a playtime limit on refunds. The only limit is the 24-hour window from purchase. You could play for 10 hours and still refund within that window. However, if you have spent in-game currency or cosmetics, those may be removed when you refund.

What if I bought the game on sale and the price dropped further?

Refunds return the amount you paid, not the current price. If you bought at $40 and it is now $20, you get $40 back. This is not a price-match situation — it is a full refund of your purchase price.

Do I lose my game license permanently if I refund it?

No. You can refund a game, and then buy it again later. The one-refund-per-title rule means you can only refund it once, but you can purchase it multiple times. Each new purchase gets its own 24-hour refund window.

Can I refund a game I bought as a gift for someone else?

Only if you still have access to the account that received the gift. The person who received it cannot refund a gift themselves — only the original purchaser can request the refund through their own account. If the gift was sent to a different account, you will need to contact EA Support to handle it.

What if EA Support denies my refund request?

If support denies your refund and you believe it was unfair, you can escalate through your payment processor. Contact your credit card company or PayPal and file a dispute or chargeback. Be aware that this may result in your EA account being flagged or suspended, so use this only as a last resort.