IAP downloading full version apk help

Solar2D Monetization (in-app purchases, ads, etc.)
#1

So I have a paid version of a game on google play.

Now after consideration I have decided to make this free and use an IAP to download a new  version consisting of powerups, better graphics etc.

I have checked out the documentation both for GP and Corona, all seems ok.

My question is this:

when I make the current paid version free the existing buyers wont be to pleased if they have to re-install and get the IAP version. I think I have solved this hurdle, but seeing as the new purchasers will be downloading a separate apk where do I put it?

So, when the user presses the IAP to download the new apk, where do I serve the apk from?

Is it a case of making a lite and full version  uploading to GP and point the IAP at that or something else?

I see in the developer console IAP seem to only hold metadata, sorry I am rather confused so if anybody would be so kind as to explain it for me it would be real cool.

Thank you

#2

I’m not sure that you can really download an improved app this way.  You can download more graphics/sounds but not runnable code unless it’s an expansion pack (which I have no experience with).  Most people have all the guts of the improved app and use IAP to unlock the paid features.  The old Apple way of doing this before IAP was to have your free version just open the app store to the paid version and let them buy the paid version and download and install.

#3

@Rob,

thanks for replying, good stuff.

Seems that having looked at the expansion file docs it isnt quite right for what I need, although seems it could be done this way.

So, this brings me to a best practice question:

Would it be ok to do it the old apple way ? for instance at some point during the free version, serve a pop-up/full screen ad that would inform the user of the premium version and then on touch direct them to the googleplay URL for the download?

Ultimately I am serving an ad like an ad network I suppose.eg. fullscreen revmob ads for example.

Is that ok to do it this way ? am I able to launch the store only this way,  sometimes on devices it directs to a web browser first then asks the user to choose what option they require.i.e. playstore app or browser. (maybe that is a user preference particular to that device, it is on my test devices)

Thanks

#4

I’m not sure that you can really download an improved app this way.  You can download more graphics/sounds but not runnable code unless it’s an expansion pack (which I have no experience with).  Most people have all the guts of the improved app and use IAP to unlock the paid features.  The old Apple way of doing this before IAP was to have your free version just open the app store to the paid version and let them buy the paid version and download and install.

#5

@Rob,

thanks for replying, good stuff.

Seems that having looked at the expansion file docs it isnt quite right for what I need, although seems it could be done this way.

So, this brings me to a best practice question:

Would it be ok to do it the old apple way ? for instance at some point during the free version, serve a pop-up/full screen ad that would inform the user of the premium version and then on touch direct them to the googleplay URL for the download?

Ultimately I am serving an ad like an ad network I suppose.eg. fullscreen revmob ads for example.

Is that ok to do it this way ? am I able to launch the store only this way,  sometimes on devices it directs to a web browser first then asks the user to choose what option they require.i.e. playstore app or browser. (maybe that is a user preference particular to that device, it is on my test devices)

Thanks