What happens to auto-renewing subs when app is removed from sales?

Hey folks,

due to Apple limitations, we have to remove one of our apps from the App Store listing. We have a new app created and already available, but now Apple flags both as spam. We were unable to smoothly transfer the older app (again - Apple limitations) therefore we created a clone one and depreciated the older one. Apple asked to do the "Archiving" (archive) for the older app.

The older app is still available for sales. It also has thousands of customers, who use auto-renewal subscriptions (monthly, 6 months, yearly). So, what we want to achieve is to hide the old app from new sales/new users, but leave it available for currently active users who have auto-renewal subscriptions.

We're contacting Apple reps, however, no clear answer has been provided yet. It seems we should do the removal of the old app from sale as defined in this article: https://help.apple.com/app-store-connect/#/dev7013b314c ?

But the unclear part is if users, who bought their auto-renewed subscription via the app will continue recurring or not (when we remove app from sales). It's important mentioning that removal from sales is not the same as complete app removal or other types of removing things (e.g. https://help.apple.com/app-store-connect/#/dev360aba524). We are not completely removing the app, but removing it from sales for new users with the idea that current users should be able to still auto-renew.

I've been looking for answers in the forum, however these tickets seems to be still open: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/24095 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/77346 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/672314 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/656485?answerId=626011022#626011022 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/123548?answerId=385413022#385413022

Appreciate any help here.

Cheers.

Accepted Reply

Hello,

we can confirm that auto-recurring subscriptions work as expected (customers successfully renew their subscriptions) when app is removed from sales and the app has status "Developer Removed from Sale".

Replies

Hello, Yes you can keep your In-app purchases ready for sale to retain your existing subscribers - meanwhile you can suppress all merchandising of these in-app purchases within your app, therefore preventing new subscriptions. This way you retain your existing base and they can continue to renew until they cancel or you remove your in-app purchase from sale.

As for your new app, it's not clear if this is a new app or same app and just a new version. We have seen other apps launch sequels to their previous apps and just adding some numeric to the name. Tho these approaches all vary by business model, feature offering, level of update/changes. But it is difficult to understand the exact scenario you are in and the guidance being given regarding archive.

If you do choose to remove your app from the App Store (not deleted, just not available for purchase), your in-app purchase can remain for sale, therefore allowing existing subscribers to continue to auto-renew - and your app will be available for re-download and iCloud restores for existing customers.

If you file a feedback assistant ticket with more specifics on your app, we may be able to better advise. Feel free to post the FB # in this thread. thank you.

Hi,

thank you so much, your reply is very helpful.

Indeed, we had filled a few tickets already, but don't have replies provided yet. Kindly find case numbers below: 101631486312 101630133458

Cheers!

Hello,

we can confirm that auto-recurring subscriptions work as expected (customers successfully renew their subscriptions) when app is removed from sales and the app has status "Developer Removed from Sale".

hi bringing this back up as I'm getting this popup,

  • Did you manage to get an answer for this, are answers above correct that "remove from sale" will NOT churn existing users ?

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