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iOS App Store Review Guidelines for IAP

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Getting your app approved on the App Store requires careful attention to Apple’s guidelines, especially when implementing in-app purchases and subscriptions. This guide covers everything you need to know to pass review on your first submission.

iOS App Store Review Process

In-App Purchase Requirements

Pricing Transparency (Critical)

Apple requires crystal-clear pricing disclosure before any purchase:

Must-Have Elements:

  • Display exact price before purchase button
  • Show billing frequency (e.g., “$9.99/month”)
  • Clearly state what users get for their money
  • Indicate when charges will occur

Common Rejection:

“Subscription pricing must be clear and upfront.”

:::caution Price Consistency All prices must match across:

  • App Store metadata listing
  • In-app purchase screens
  • Subscription management screens

Even a $1 discrepancy between store listing ($4.99) and app ($5.99) will trigger automatic rejection. :::

Subscription Plan Presentation

Required Disclosures:

  • All available subscription tiers displayed together
  • Clear comparison of features per tier
  • No auto-defaulting to premium tiers through UI tricks
  • Easy-to-locate cancellation instructions

UI Design Dos and Don'ts

Example of Compliant UI:

import { NativePurchases } from '@capgo/native-purchases';


function SubscriptionScreen() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>Choose Your Plan</h2>


      {/* Show all tiers equally */}
      <PlanCard
        title="Basic"
        price="$4.99/month"
        features={['Feature A', 'Feature B']}
      />
      <PlanCard
        title="Premium"
        price="$9.99/month"
        features={['All Basic', 'Feature C', 'Feature D']}
        highlighted={false} // Don't force premium
      />


      {/* Clear cancellation info */}
      <Text>
        Cancel anytime in Settings > Subscriptions.
        No refunds for partial periods.
      </Text>
    </div>
  );
}

Restore Purchases

Required Implementation:

Every app with IAP must provide a way for users to restore previous purchases without contacting support.

import { NativePurchases } from '@capgo/native-purchases';


async function restorePurchases() {
  try {
    const { customerInfo } = await NativePurchases.restorePurchases();


    if (customerInfo.activeSubscriptions.length > 0) {
      showMessage('Purchases restored successfully!');
      unlockPremiumFeatures();
    } else {
      showMessage('No previous purchases found.');
    }
  } catch (error) {
    showError('Failed to restore purchases. Please try again.');
  }
}


// Add a visible "Restore Purchases" button
<Button onClick={restorePurchases}>
  Restore Purchases
</Button>

Common Rejection Reasons

1. App Crashes or Broken Functionality

Why It Fails:

  • App crashes on launch
  • Purchase flow fails to complete
  • Features shown in screenshots don’t work

Prevention:

  • Test on real devices (not just simulators)
  • Test all subscription flows end-to-end
  • Verify receipt validation works
  • Check network error handling

2. Metadata Mismatches

Why It Fails:

  • Screenshots show features not in current build
  • Description mentions functionality that doesn’t exist
  • Pricing in metadata differs from in-app pricing

Metadata Checklist

Prevention:

// Document exactly what's in each tier
const SUBSCRIPTION_FEATURES = {
  basic: ['Ad-free', 'Cloud sync', 'Basic themes'],
  premium: ['Ad-free', 'Cloud sync', 'All themes', 'Priority support']
};


// Use these in both your app AND App Store description

3. Missing Permission Explanations

Why It Fails:

  • Requesting camera/location/health without explanation
  • Permission requests buried multiple screens deep
  • Vague or generic permission descriptions

Prevention:

Update your Info.plist with clear explanations:

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Camera access is needed to scan product barcodes for quick subscription upgrades.</string>


<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Location helps us show relevant local content in your Premium subscription.</string>

4. Misleading Marketing

Why It Fails:

  • Claims like “#1 app in world” without proof
  • “Unlimited” features that have hidden limits
  • Fake urgency tactics (“Only 2 spots left!”)

Description Guidelines Examples

Additional Description Guidelines

Prevention:

  • Be specific and factual in descriptions
  • Avoid superlatives without evidence
  • Don’t pressure users with fake scarcity

5. Hidden Cancellation Process

Why It Fails:

  • No mention of how to cancel
  • Cancellation button hidden or obscured
  • Multi-step cancellation process without Apple’s native flow

Prevention:

// Always inform users about cancellation
function SubscriptionInfo() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h3>How to Cancel</h3>
      <ol>
        <li>Open iPhone Settings</li>
        <li>Tap your name at the top</li>
        <li>Tap Subscriptions</li>
        <li>Select this app and tap Cancel</li>
      </ol>


      <p>Or manage directly in the App Store app.</p>


      <Button onClick={openSubscriptionManagement}>
        Manage Subscription in Settings
      </Button>
    </div>
  );
}


async function openSubscriptionManagement() {
  // Direct link to iOS subscription management
  await NativePurchases.showManageSubscriptions();
}

Privacy & Data Usage (Section 5.1.1)

Apple has significantly tightened privacy requirements in 2025.

Required Disclosures

For Every Permission:

  1. Why you need it (specific use case)
  2. When it will be used
  3. How data is stored/shared
  4. Whether it’s optional or required

Example: Proper Permission Flow

async function requestCameraPermission() {
  // Show explanation BEFORE requesting
  await showDialog({
    title: 'Camera Access',
    message: 'We need camera access to let you scan barcodes for quick product lookup. Your photos are never uploaded or stored.',
    buttons: ['Not Now', 'Allow']
  });


  // Then request permission
  const result = await Camera.requestPermissions();
  return result.camera === 'granted';
}

Privacy Nutrition Labels

Ensure your App Store privacy labels accurately reflect:

  • Purchase history collection
  • Email addresses (for receipts)
  • Device IDs (for fraud prevention)
  • Usage data (for analytics)

Inaccurate privacy labels are a common rejection reason in 2025. Audit your data collection carefully.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Pre-Submission Checklist

  1. Test All Purchase Flows

    • Buy each subscription tier
    • Test free trials
    • Verify introductory offers apply correctly
    • Test restore purchases
    • Verify Family Sharing (if enabled)
    • Test on multiple devices

  2. Verify Pricing Consistency

    • Check App Store metadata matches in-app prices
    • Verify all currencies are correct
    • Confirm free trial durations match descriptions
    • Check introductory offer terms are accurate

  3. Review All Copy

    • Remove placeholder text
    • Verify claims are testable
    • Check grammar and spelling
    • Ensure descriptions match current build
    • Remove competitor mentions

  4. Test Permissions

    • Request only necessary permissions
    • Show clear explanations before requesting
    • Test “Deny” flows (app should still work)
    • Verify Info.plist descriptions are clear

  5. Prepare Test Account

    • Create sandbox test account
    • Document login credentials in App Review Notes
    • Verify test account has active subscription
    • Test that reviewer can complete purchase flow

  6. Check Metadata

    • Screenshots match current UI
    • App preview video (if any) shows current version
    • Description accurately describes features
    • Age rating matches content
    • Privacy policy is accessible in-app

  7. Write Detailed Review Notes

    Test Account:
    Email: reviewer@test.com
    Password: TestPass123!
    

    Testing Instructions:
    1. Log in with test account above
    2. Tap "Upgrade to Premium" button
    3. Select "Monthly Premium" subscription
    4. Complete purchase (no charge in sandbox)
    5. Verify premium features unlock
    

    Note: Subscription pricing is clearly shown before purchase.
    Cancellation instructions are in Settings > Account.

Review Timeline

App Store Review Timeline

Standard Review: 24-48 hours Peak Periods: 3-5 days (App Store holiday releases) Weekends: No reviews processed Expedited Review: Available for critical bug fixes (request via App Store Connect)

2025 Guideline Updates

New Requirements

1. AI Functionality Disclosure If your app uses AI for any features, you must:

  • Clearly label AI-generated content
  • Explain how AI is used
  • Document content safety measures

2. Enhanced Subscription Clarity

  • Side-by-side plan comparisons required
  • No “dark patterns” that hide cheaper options
  • Clear downgrade/upgrade paths

3. Privacy Intensification

  • Section 5.1.1 enforcement increased
  • More scrutiny on data collection justification
  • Stricter requirements for children’s apps

What Changed from 2024

  • Modular submissions now allowed (update product pages independently)
  • In-app events can be submitted separately
  • Stricter enforcement of misleading subscription UIs
  • New guidance on cryptocurrency/NFT apps

Best Practices for Native Purchases Plugin

Implement Proper Error Handling

import { NativePurchases } from '@capgo/native-purchases';


async function handlePurchase(productId: string) {
  try {
    const { customerInfo } = await NativePurchases.purchaseProduct({
      productIdentifier: productId
    });


    // Success
    showSuccess('Subscription activated!');
    unlockFeatures();


  } catch (error: any) {
    // Handle specific error cases
    if (error.code === 'USER_CANCELLED') {
      // User cancelled - don't show error
      console.log('Purchase cancelled by user');
    } else if (error.code === 'PAYMENT_PENDING') {
      showInfo('Payment is pending. Please check back later.');
    } else if (error.code === 'PRODUCT_ALREADY_PURCHASED') {
      // Restore instead
      await NativePurchases.restorePurchases();
    } else {
      // Show user-friendly error
      showError('Unable to complete purchase. Please try again.');
    }
  }
}

Display Loading States

function PurchaseButton({ productId }: { productId: string }) {
  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);


  const handlePurchase = async () => {
    setLoading(true);
    try {
      await NativePurchases.purchaseProduct({ productIdentifier: productId });
    } finally {
      setLoading(false);
    }
  };


  return (
    <button onClick={handlePurchase} disabled={loading}>
      {loading ? 'Processing...' : 'Subscribe Now'}
    </button>
  );
}

Show Terms Clearly

function SubscriptionTerms() {
  return (
    <div className="terms">
      <p>
        Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours
        before the end of the current period.
      </p>
      <p>
        Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to
        the end of the current period.
      </p>
      <p>
        Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be
        turned off in Account Settings after purchase.
      </p>
      <p>
        <a href="/terms">Terms of Service</a> |
        <a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a>
      </p>
    </div>
  );
}

If Your App Gets Rejected

Steps to Resolve

  1. Read the rejection carefully

    • Note the specific guideline cited (e.g., 3.1.1, 5.1.1)
    • Understand exactly what Apple flagged

  2. Fix the issue thoroughly

    • Don’t just patch - fix root cause
    • Test the fix extensively
    • Document what you changed

  3. Respond in Resolution Center

    Thank you for your feedback. I have addressed the issue:
    

    Issue: Subscription pricing not clear upfront
    

    Fix: Added explicit pricing display on subscription selection
    screen showing "$9.99/month" before purchase button. Also added
    cancellation instructions on the same screen.
    

    The changes are in this submission and can be tested using the
    provided test account.

  4. Resubmit promptly

    • Resubmissions are typically reviewed faster
    • Usually within 24 hours

Appeal Process

If you believe the rejection is incorrect:

App Store Clarification Process

  1. Click “Appeal” in App Store Connect
  2. Provide clear evidence:
    • Screenshots showing compliance
    • References to specific guidelines
    • Explanation of how you meet requirements
  3. Be professional and factual
  4. Include test account if functionality is hard to find

Request for Documents Example

Additional Resources

Support

If you’re still having issues:

Need Expert Help?

Struggling with app review or need personalized assistance? Book a consultation call with our team for dedicated support with:

  • IAP implementation review and optimization
  • App Store review preparation and strategy
  • Submission checklist review
  • Rejection resolution and appeals
  • Complete testing and validation

Our experts have successfully helped hundreds of apps pass review!