Apple Payment Policy

I have a concern regarding Apple Payment Policy. We are app developer and our app is an Health and Fitness app. In our app we have two kinds of users who uses this application.

1. Player (Limited Features)

2. Coach (Additional Features)


However, any new user who has downloaded the app can only register themselves as a Player and access all those features that are allowed to a Player. However, in case at any point of time, if player wishes to upgrade their permission to Coach, all they need to do is make payment of some amount within the app through their PayPal account. Now, our app do not use In App Purchase still, the end user has to pay via a Third Party tool to access additional features.

Kindly address below concerns:

(a) Does upgradation of a user role from Player to Coach by paying via PayPal account is a digital good purchasing?

(b) Since we do not use In-App purchase for Player upgradation, are we complying to Apple’s Payment policies?

(c) Under questionnaire for Content Rating- “Does your app allows users to purchase digital goods?”. What answer do we need to select “YES” OR “NO”?


Kindly address all the above queries so that we get an assurance that we are complying to all Apple Policies.

>Coach (Additional Features)

>(a) Does upgradation of a user role from Player to Coach by paying via PayPal account is a digital good purchasing?


This depends on what your "Additional Features" are. If they include access to additional digital goods then "yes". But it sounds like "No"

>(b) Since we do not use In-App purchase for Player upgradation, are we complying to Apple’s Payment policies?


Absolutely not. If App Review realized that you are using Pay Pal your app will be rejected (IMHO). The requirement is:

"3.1.1 In-App Purchase: If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase." https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/


>(c) Under questionnaire for Content Rating- “Does your app allows users to purchase digital goods?”. What answer do we need to select “YES” OR “NO”?


See the first answer above.

Perhaps if you explained exactly what features are being purchased? Is it just about unlocking additional features? Is it about certification? Is it a game level? Are there downloads? Can the additional features be consumed outside the app?

Apple Payment Policy
 
 
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