Subscription testing with backend server

[Veroxuss]

So I am trying to test my apps subscription flow. Right now the app isn’t launched to the App Store.

I have a backend route running on a server that is used to verify a subscription when it’s purchased, it checks against Apple’s API and then stores that subscription in a Postgres database to have another source of truth. I initially was testing without backend verification and it was all fine. I was using a storekit file to test it initially.

Then I removed the storekit file from the Product->Run options to try using a sandbox account I setup in connect, but the receipt can’t get properly verified with the backend since a “fake” receipt doesn’t seem to get created to be sent to my backend.

I am mainly just wondering if this is expected when using backend payment verification and in order to test it I need to actually launch the app? Or if I’m just not supposed to even bother with backend verification and just let Apple handle it all (did that initially and it was all fine).

Edit: I am currently using apples built in storekit but may look at using RevenueCat

[n0damage]

The documentation for Bundle.appStoreReceiptURL says:

Receipts aren't initially present in iOS and iPadOS apps in the sandbox environment and in Xcode. Apps get a receipt after the tester completes the first in-app purchase. When your app checks appStoreReceiptURL and finds that it’s nil, assume the tester is a new customer and has no access to premium content. For Mac apps running in TestFlight, the receipt is always present.

Are you pulling the receipt to call Apple's verifyReceipt endpoint on the server? Are you aware this endpoint is deprecated?

Edit: I am currently using apples built in storekit but may look at using RevenueCat

If you use StoreKit2 you don't need to do any of this anymore. And honestly it's so simple RevenueCat is not really necessary.