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Unless they've recently changed the rules, it's not a violation. I've had a couple of apps in the iOS and macOS stores that couldn't be accessed unless you pai

by pier25 6y ago

Unless they've recently changed the rules, it's not a violation. I've had a couple of apps in the iOS and macOS stores that couldn't be accessed unless you paid for a service outside the app. In fact, when submitting an app for review you can provide a user and password so that Apple can log in and test the private app.

httpsterio 6y ago
Sure, you can give them an account but it is in fact against the Apple TOS and users shouldn't be able to see and download apps on the store they can't use. They don't catch all the caws but they're still in breach. Apple has other ways of distributing apps if they're internal apps or if the business manages the users somewhere else and the app store shouldn't be used then.
- pier25 6y ago
  I can 100% assure you these apps were not in breach and it was no fluke. Apple questioned us multiple times about where and how would users pay for the service. I think this was allowed because as someone else mentioned there are some exceptions to this rule. This was an education app which gave access to some digital books.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- outworlder 6y ago
  > Sure, you can give them an account but it is in fact against the Apple TOS It isn't. Go read the guidelines again.
Despegar 6y ago
That's always been a rule but apps like Netflix count as "Reader" apps that are allowed to do that. >3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps: Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video, access to professional databases, VoIP, cloud storage, and approved services such as classroom management apps), provided that you agree not to directly or indirectly target iOS users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase, and your general communications about other purchasing methods are not designed to discourage use of in-app purchase. https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/ https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
- zakki 6y ago
  email client fits more in "Reader" category i believe.
sambeau 6y ago
We also have an app in the App Store that can only be used if you have already bought our very expensive service.

by pier25 6y ago

httpsterio 6y ago

Sure, you can give them an account but it is in fact against the Apple TOS and users shouldn't be able to see and download apps on the store they can't use. They don't catch all the caws but they're still in breach. Apple has other ways of distributing apps if they're internal apps or if the business manages the users somewhere else and the app store shouldn't be used then.

pier25 6y ago
I can 100% assure you these apps were not in breach and it was no fluke. Apple questioned us multiple times about where and how would users pay for the service. I think this was allowed because as someone else mentioned there are some exceptions to this rule. This was an education app which gave access to some digital books.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
outworlder 6y ago
> Sure, you can give them an account but it is in fact against the Apple TOS It isn't. Go read the guidelines again.

Despegar 6y ago

That's always been a rule but apps like Netflix count as "Reader" apps that are allowed to do that. >3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps: Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video, access to professional databases, VoIP, cloud storage, and approved services such as classroom management apps), provided that you agree not to directly or indirectly target iOS users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase, and your general communications about other purchasing methods are not designed to discourage use of in-app purchase. https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/ https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/

zakki 6y ago
email client fits more in "Reader" category i believe.

sambeau 6y ago

We also have an app in the App Store that can only be used if you have already bought our very expensive service.