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App Store Guideline 3.1.1: In-App Purchase & Subscription Guide

Quick Answer

Apple App Store review rejects or restricts apps when metadata, privacy disclosures, functionality, or policy compliance checks fail.

Guideline 3.1.1 requires that all digital content and services be purchased using Apple's In-App Purchase (IAP) system. Rejections in this category are often linked to incorrect product configuration, paywall UI missing mandatory legal text, or attempting to bypass Apple's commission.

1. IAP Configuration & Status

Your IAP products must be in the "Approved" or "Ready to Submit" state and correctly linked to the binary. - In-App Purchase Rejected: Common when the reviewer cannot complete a purchase or when the product ID returned by the store is invalid. - IAP Invalid State: Happens when the SKProductsRequest returns an empty list. Ensure your agreements in App Store Connect are signed and bank/tax info is complete.

2. Subscription Metadata & Compliance

Subscriptions have stricter UI requirements than one-time purchases. - Subscription Config Invalid: Often triggered when the trial duration or billing cycle in App Store Connect doesn't match the description on the paywall. - Subscription Metadata Mismatch: Specifically focuses on price presentation (e.g., displaying "Monthly" when the SKU is "Yearly").

3. Paywall Requirements

Every paywall must include: 1. Clear Pricing: Large, legible price and billing interval. 2. Terms of Use (EULA): Link to Apple's standard EULA or your own. 3. Privacy Policy: Functional link to your privacy policy. 4. Restore Button: A clearly visible "Restore Purchases" button for returning users.

4. Recovery Strategy

  1. Verify Agreements: Ensure the "Paid Applications" agreement is active in the "Agreements, Tax, and Banking" section.
  2. Check Product IDs: Double-check that the string in your code exactly matches the Product ID in App Store Connect.
  3. Audit Paywall UI: Add missing legal links and ensure the "Restore" button is functional in your sandbox environment.

Back to: Apple App Store Hub