I am having difficulty getting clarification from App Review regarding an external tip link and Guideline 3.1.1.
My app is distributed exclusively on the United States App Store storefront. It is a free app, and the "About" page contains an optional “Buy Me a Coffee” link that opens an external browser.
The tip does not unlock any content, functionality, subscription, service, or other benefit in the app.
App Review has told me that the link must be replaced with In-App Purchase and cited the following language from Guideline 3.1.1:
“We understand you have reviewed the updated App Review Guidelines and have questions regarding whether apps are still required to use in-app purchase to process "tips" for developers and digital content creators.
Please note that the recent changes to guidelines 3.1.1, 3.1.1(a), 3.1.3 and 3.1.3(a) have not changed the scenarios where In-App Purchase is required.
Guideline 3.1.1 states in part, "Apps may use in-app purchase currencies to enable customers to "tip" the developer or digital content providers in the app."
To resolve the issues with your current submission, it would be appropriate to revise the app to use in-app purchase to process "tips" for developers and digital content creators.
Please let us know if you have further questions. We look forward to reviewing the app once the appropriate changes have been made.”
I am having difficulty reconciling that interpretation with the current language of Guideline 3.1.1(a), which specifically states that entitlements are not required for buttons, external links, or other calls to action in United States storefront apps. Apple’s May 1, 2025 guideline update also states that Guidelines 3.1.1, 3.1.1(a), 3.1.3, and 3.1.3(a) were changed in response to the U.S. court decision concerning external purchasing links.
The 3.1.1 language regarding tips says that apps “may use” IAP for tips; it does not appear to state that an optional tip that provides no digital goods, services, or functionality must use IAP.
Has anyone recently dealt with this specific situation for a U.S.-storefront-only app? If so, was an App Review Board appeal required to resolve it?
I am trying to determine whether I am overlooking another provision of the guidelines that specifically requires an optional external tip to use IAP in a United States storefront app. I have a pending appeal but am frankly disappointed in this situation and I do not want to wait weeks or months to get this through the appeal process.
