Integrating External Payments in iOS App

Question

Created Jul ’15

Replies 4

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Could anyone please help guiding me to the following:

I am developing an app that will provide some sort of event sharing information between business and users. This is not integrated with iOS calendar or reminders. The data is entirely stored on the cloud and the app access the data through a REST service.

I would like the users to pay a monthly fee for using the app. So this is not really a digital subscription. I am not selling any content in the app. It is merely to cover the expenses to run web services and databases and infrastructure on the cloud.

Question : Do I must use in App Store purchase API for monthly payments by my users? Can I integrate external payment system like PayPal in the app for this purpose?

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Answer 1

KMT OP

Jul ’15

>I am not selling any content in the app.

The guidelines say that IAP can only be used for 'in app' consumption - anything else requires your own external payment scheme.

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Answer 2

PBK OP

Jul ’15

You wrote:

"The data is entirely stored on the cloud and the app access the data through a REST service."

Because the app "access(es) the data" you are really unlocking code in the app so that it can function as the user expects it to. That code is distributed by Apple and is run on Apple's iOS system - you know, Xcode and that stuff. So, IMHO, you will have to use IAP. The fact that you are storing data on some server does not change the requirements of 11.1:

11.1 Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected

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Answer 3

learnEd OP

Nov ’16

I have a senario here. What if its a webinar? As it will fall in category of physical goods.

Integrating digital contents with in-app purchase and webinars with external payment gateways will be ok?

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Answer 4

KMT OP

Nov ’16

A live webinar is external pay (no IAP); recorded videos can be IAP; a mix is ok as long as app review has no doubts users will not be confused on what they pay for and how those purchases are made/billed/delivered.

It has to be made clear to the user so they don't think Apple is involved in external/physical goods - they don't want to have to deal with quality complaints, etc. on something outside of their control/responsibility.

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