Ice Box purchase guide

Whichever channel you buy Ice Box through, the purchase is valid permanently. It is a one-time purchase with no subscription and no recurring charges, and you get all later updates, upgrades and new features.

Where to buy#

We currently recommend buying through Google Play or Alipay.

Because Google requires it, the version downloaded from Google Play can only be bought and verified through Google Play. Versions downloaded from other channels are verified with an Alipay order number or an activation code.

To switch payment channels, download Ice Box again from the matching app store and install it over your current copy. If you saved the installer and installed it manually, it is treated as installed from another channel.

Buying and activating on Google Play#

Purchases and verification on Google Play follow the Play Store's purchase policies. Pro can be activated and used on devices signed in to the same Google account.

Please note: we cannot solve any purchase verification problem caused by being in mainland China without stable access to Google, by installing unofficial Google services, by an issue with the device itself, or by similar reasons.

Buying and activating through other channels (Alipay)#

Other channels include Alipay, WeChat and other authorized resellers. Your proof of purchase is the Alipay order number, or the activation code you received through another channel, and it covers 1 device (older orders bought at full price before April 15, 2019 cover 2 devices). Tap the "I've purchased" button and enter your order number or activation code to activate.

When you activate on a new device, the old device is deactivated automatically. Each order number can be activated no more than 50 times per month.

If you flash your own phone or switch to a new device, just activate again with your order number.

Common questions#

Can I activate with an earlier Ice Box backup?#

Yes. Restoring a backup has the same effect as entering the activation code by hand.

Can I pay with WeChat Pay?#

Yes. If Alipay is not convenient for you, you can pay with WeChat Pay.

Is it risky to buy a second-hand Alipay order resold by someone else?#

Yes. If the seller sells the same code to several people or keeps using it themselves, or if the original buyer uses the order screenshot to exchange the order for a Google Play redeem code, your device will be deactivated and can never be restored. The developer accepts no responsibility for any disputes that result.

Can I get a refund if I no longer want it after buying?#

Refunds are available within 24 hours of purchase. Email the developer using the Feedback option in the Ice Box app, and attach a screenshot of the payment order or your Google order number. Orders bought through a cracked version, and orders that have been activated on multiple devices, are not refunded. Because of channel limitations, payments made in ways such as scanning a WeChat QR code cannot be refunded.

How do I reactivate after flashing my phone or switching phones?#

Just tap the "I've purchased" button on the Ice Box purchase screen. If a screen asking for an order number appears, you have installed the Alipay channel version. If you bought on Google Play, uninstall Ice Box and reinstall it from Google Play.

Tapping "I've purchased" says activation failed, but buying again says I already own this item?#

This is caused by a problem with the Google services on your device. Work through these checks in order:

1. Check that the Google services components are fully installed and have all permissions turned on. On Xiaomi phones, also make sure permissions such as "display pop-up windows while running in the background" and "start other apps" are turned on.
2. Make sure you are signed in to a Google account and the device can reach Google normally.
3. If you just flashed your phone, stay connected to WiFi for a few hours and then try again.
4. If the problem continues, clear all data of the Google services components and sign in again.

If you use Chinese-market versions of MIUI, EMUI, Flyme or similar systems, the system may block connections to some Google services internally. We cannot solve problems of this kind.

I'm outside China and Alipay says overseas purchases are not supported?#

Because of Alipay's restrictions, Ice Box cannot accept cross-border payments for now. If you are outside China, we suggest buying directly through Google Play.

Alipay shows an error saying it can't pay, or asks me to "scan again with the app"?#

You may have installed plugins such as location spoofing or attendance check-in tools, and Alipay's risk control blocked the payment. We suggest paying with WeChat Pay instead.

Can an Alipay purchase be switched to the Google Play version?#

No. Because of Google policy requirements, the offer that let you exchange an Alipay purchase for a Play redeem code has ended.

I bought it with Alipay years ago and can't find the order number. Can the developer find it for me?#

Because of changes to Alipay's privacy policy, merchants cannot look up your past order numbers. In Alipay, search for the keyword "冰箱" (the Chinese name of Ice Box) and look for an Ice Box order with the status "交易成功" (Transaction successful). Apps such as AppOps and BlackHouse (小黑屋) are not made by the Ice Box developer. Do not use their Alipay order numbers to activate Ice Box.

The order number is reported as invalid?#

1. Check that you entered the order number correctly. Order numbers only contain digits, lowercase letters and underscores, with no spaces.
2. Make sure the Alipay order status is "Transaction successful". An order that shows "交易关闭" (Transaction closed) was never paid.

It says "Your order number has been signed in on another device, and this device is no longer valid"?#

This means you, or someone else who knows the order number, has used it on another device. This device has been deactivated automatically and can no longer use this order number.

I only activated it on a TV or a friend's phone for a little while, and now I can't reactivate my own phone?#

Correct. Once an order activates a new device, the old device is deactivated automatically, and this cannot be undone. If you need to use Ice Box on several devices at the same time, please buy multiple copies.

Other questions#

Email the developer using the Feedback option in the Ice Box app, and attach a screenshot of your order number to the email.

Still stuck? See the FAQ, or email us with Feedback in Ice Box.