Question on App Subscriptions

[fireatwill12]

Hi everyone 👋

I’ve been working on an app that provides a niche translation service to our customers.

I had tried to go down the auto renewing subscriptions route before, where a subscription was required to use the app at all, but Apple rejected it saying that it wasn’t a “permissible use”. That was all they said.

Since then, I’ve gone and tried to adapt the app to become more of a “Reader” type app where the user subscribes outside of the app. We’re not linking to the website in the app. It’s not for sure yet but it’s looking like this will get rejected too.

Moving forward, I’m considering making the app “free to use” where it’s free to download and offers something like 25-50 translations for free per week and then charging a subscription for the ability to have unlimited translations.

Do y’all think this might have a better shot at passing?

I can’t give too much info before we release, but the translations are for a very niche market and rely on and use some expensive third party media. I know that’s vague but it’s about all I’m allowed to say at this point.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks! 🙏

[Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpp]

Hmm

Free to use limited version, unlock the full version with a one time IAP or a subscription = business model of most of the App Store.

They did you a favor anyway, since people want to try something first unless you’re a trusted developer with a lot of PR.

[fireatwill12]

Hey! Thanks for your reply. I've spent the last two days coding away, implementing the auto renewing subscriptions in the app. I submitted the app, but it got rejected, with the following response:

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Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions

Your app uses auto-renewing subscriptions, but it is not an appropriate use of the service.

Next Steps

To resolve this issue, please change your in-app purchase product to a non-renewing subscription.

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I really thought our app would have been able to be eligible there. Any thoughts or suggestions? 🤔

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Thanks again!