iOS App Approval - Rejected on Guideline 11.1 - Using Facebook Like to Unlock Content

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Hopefully this is the right place, but wanted some advice. Submitted for first app to Apple this week (yay!), but it got rejected (boo). They cited guideline 11.1:

**11.1: Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected

11.1

We found your app inappropriately unlocks or enables additional functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store, which is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.

Specifically, this app allows the user to unlock additional content by liking the app on Facebook and receiving a code to enter in the app.**

So, I basically have a facebook button on my app, and when users click on it and “like” me, I unlock some levels.

Is that not allowed anymore? Is there a more “accepted” way of handling facebook interactions to unlock content? And how about promo codes for reviewers that unlocks IAP? Is there a way to do that in which Apple will still accept it and not run afoul of this 11.1 guideline?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Thy [import]uid: 42145 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 317073[/import]

#2

It sounds like its definitely against their terms, but whether it’s new or not is largely irrelevant as it pretty much depends on who is assigned to review your app.

There’s been plenty of cases where one app gets away with something while another doesn’t. To play it safe, I’d just adhere to the guidelines because I’d be nervous if it got approved for fear they might remove it later on after some kind of “audit” or something similar.

I’m sure you could give Promo codes away in that manner, but not within the app, and you’re only allowed 50 so I wouldn’t recommend that.

Previously, I had gotten away with unlocking a new ability if they shared their score on Facebook, but it only lasted for that round. Based on what you got rejected for though, that seems like it shoulda been out of bounds also. [import]uid: 52430 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64103[/import]

#3

I’m curious how this specific wording…

11.1: Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality >>>>> with mechanisms other than the App Store <<<<< will be rejected

…applies to big name membership apps like Instapaper, Simplenote or Dropbox. They definitely have a parallel system “other than the App Store”.

Yes - Instapaper and Simplenote have an in-app purchase (can’t remember for Dropbox), but they don’t fit the “other than the App Store” wording.

Looking forward to hearing other’s experience, if they can shed light on this. Thank you.

  • Ian [import]uid: 238 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64122[/import]
#4

Has anyone had an app rejected when unlocking content if the user agrees to rate your app in the app store?

I don’t think there is a way to really tell if they rated your app, so we would just be unlocking content if the user clicked a button in the app (‘yes … i wan’t to rate your app’). The app would navigate to our app in the app store so they could rate it.
Paul [import]uid: 7101 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64126[/import]

#5

So, I’m going to remove the part of my game that unlocks items from a Facebook “Like” (though I didn’t really check, I just launched facebook and did the unlock).

But I’m going to try and still keep in the code that handles promo codes. The codes will be hard-coded into the app, with no network/server ties. I’ve read in other locations that this method of unlocking still works and is allowed.

I’ll update this thread with news once I try this new build - but it’ll be a little bit as it took 5 days last time to go from waiting to in review.

– Thy [import]uid: 42145 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64315[/import]

#6

How does this hardcoding promo codes into the app work?

What if I earn a promo code, but the one you give me has already been used by another user?

Don’t the promo code expire after 4 week? Will your app know not to give one away after 4 weeks? [import]uid: 67839 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64324[/import]

#7

Hmmmm, so why not just add an in-app purchase that goes along with the like option?

“Either like mty page or pay 99 cents to unlock 10 more levels”

obviously no one will pay 99 cents … but that should put you in compliance. This goes back to the whole ebook thing. They said if you’re going to sell ebooks through your own system you have to also offer them through in-app. This should be similar in providing the options.

[import]uid: 13859 topic_id: 17073 reply_id: 64786[/import]