Question free app

Hi, We have an app that is a website and with stripe payment integration. I understand that this payment method is not currently allowed.

my question is as follows: if we were to to release the app on iOS, are we allowed to time-limit the usage? or must the app be 'free' to use indefinitely. For instance is the following scenario allowed:

  1. user downloads app and signs in to create a free account
  2. user is allowed to use app for 7 days
  3. after 7 days app says 'you must upgrade to continue to use the app'

I understand we cannot give a link to our website to buy the upgrade.

But is the above scenario allowed, OR do we need to allow the user to continue to use the app in a 'free' mode somehow (e.g either with restricted features or advertising). thanks Prem

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premcsundaram
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  • It depends on the purpose of your app. After a trial period, if the app has no features to use, then it will be rejected for sure.

    —
    Tomato

  • OK - thanks - that's good to know. then i think our best strategy is to offer the app for free completely, perhaps with or without ads. thank you everyone for helping to guide me!

    —
    premcsundaram
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Guidelines 3.1.1. state:

Non-subscription apps may offer a free time-based trial period before presenting a full unlock option by setting up a Non-Consumable IAP item at Price Tier 0 that follows the naming convention: “XX-day Trial.” Prior to the start of the trial, your app must clearly identify its duration, the content or services that will no longer be accessible when the trial ends, and any downstream charges the user would need to pay for full functionality. 

That seems to authorise the business model you are considering.

However, you say:

We have an app that is a website

If so, it does not comply with guidelines:

.

4.2 Minimum Functionality

Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website. If your app is not particularly useful, unique, or “app-like,” it doesn’t belong on the App Store. 

So it does risk being rejected.

Posted by
Claude31
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  • thank you Claude31, appreciate the response.

    when I said website I should have been clearer and say 'PWA' - it is a 'note app' using web technology. we would plan to package this in a cordova type packaging.regarding your first point let me please double down on that response. If I enabled a 'XX-day Trial' am I right in thinking that it could only get 'unlocked' with an app store IAP purchase? that would seem to be the idea from apple, right?If I did not enable a trial but configured the trial method myself once they sign into my app, is that allowed in the apple rules? or is a developer not allowed to do a trial inside their code which stops the app after yy days. said another way, must an app be providing minimum functionality all the time or could it be only for a certain yy days that is managed by web app not an IAP trial item.

    thank you ! Prem

    —
    premcsundaram
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