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In-App Purchase Setup

Overview​

This guide explains how to set up in-app purchases for iOS subscription plans in your app. Note that this implementation is specific to iOS as Apple requires the use of in-app purchases for subscription plans.

Why In-App Purchase for iOS?​

Apple's App Store guidelines require that all digital content and subscription services must use Apple's in-app purchase system. This means:

  • You cannot use third-party payment gateways for subscription plans
  • All subscription transactions must go through Apple's payment system
  • This ensures security and consistency in the App Store ecosystem

Setup Process​

1. Create In-App Purchase in App Store Connect​

  1. Log in to App Store Connect
  2. Navigate to your app
  3. Go to Features > In-App Purchases
  4. Click the "+" button to add a new in-app purchase
  5. Select "Auto-Renewable Subscription" as the type
  6. Fill in the required details:
    • Reference Name
    • Product ID (this is crucial - you'll need this in the admin panel)
    • Pricing

2. Configure in Admin Panel​

  1. Log in to your admin panel
  2. Navigate to Subscription Plans section
  3. When adding or editing a subscription plan:
    • Enter the iOS Product ID exactly as created in App Store Connect
    • This ID must match precisely with the one in App Store Connect

In-App Purchase Setup

Important Notes​

  • The iOS Product ID in your admin panel must exactly match the Product ID created in App Store Connect
  • For Android, you can use other payment gateways as Apple's restrictions don't apply
  • Make sure to test the in-app purchase implementation using sandbox accounts before going live
  • IMPORTANT: Don't forget to enable paid app agreements in your Apple Developer account. Without this, in-app purchases will not work. To enable:
    1. Log in to Apple Developer Account
    2. Go to Agreements, Tax, and Banking
    3. Accept the Paid Applications Agreement
    4. Complete the banking and tax information
    5. Wait for Apple's approval (this may take a few days)

Additional Resources​

For more detailed information about creating and setting up in-app purchases, please refer to our Comprehensive IAP Guide.

Testing​

Before releasing to production:

  1. Create a sandbox tester account in App Store Connect
  2. Test the complete purchase flow
  3. Verify that subscriptions are properly activated

Troubleshooting​

Common issues and solutions:

  • If purchases aren't working, verify the Product ID matches exactly
  • Ensure your app's bundle identifier matches the one in App Store Connect
  • Check that your app's provisioning profile includes in-app purchase capability
  • Verify that your Apple Developer account has the necessary agreements signed
  • If in-app purchases are not working, double-check that the Paid Applications Agreement is enabled and approved in your Apple Developer account