App Store Offers Trial Versions

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Despite entering its 10th year, the App Store has never had an official way to offer trials. Sure, some clever developers found ways around this by making their apps free but locking features behind in-app purchases (IAPs). But Apple has now announced that there will be an easier, simple way to let users try before they buy, and it applies to any kind of app on Mac or iOS.

Two years ago, a workaround was created by The Omni Group, which made its apps free on the App Store and gives users two weeks to try out the features of its software before reverting to a more restricted version. It’s a good example of how developers tried to offer free trials before such functionality existed.

Apple has now made that unnecessary and updated its developer guidelines. In section 3.1.1 of Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines document, the company explains the change:

“Non-subscription apps may offer a free time-based trial period before presenting a full unlock option by setting up a NonConsumable IAP item at Price Tier 0 that follows the naming convention: “14-day Trial.” Prior to the start of the trial, your app must clearly identify its duration, the content or services that will no longer be accessible when the trial ends, and any downstream charges the user would need to pay for full functionality.”

Restrictions and renewals

Before this announcement – which was made at a developer session at WWDC – apps that ran a subscription model were able to offer their users trials. All other apps, however, had no way of doing so.