Rejected by Apple cause of promo code custom solution !?

Other
#1

We just got rejected by Apple:

_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, we noticed that the app utilizes codes to unlock features._

promo.png

Our game is fremium with in-app purchase to unlock additional features + ad support.

As far as I know there is no promo codes for such type of app, only for paid apps so we built our solution.

 

Most (if not all) review sites needs the full version for review.

How to make this if Apple does not support it and custom solution is not allowed ???

Please give some advice.

Regards,

Damir.

#2

You’re not allowed to have ANY kind of system for your own codes. It sucks but that’s how it is.

#3

I have done a bit of Google search.

One suggested solution would be to have a paid app with future release date.

I would like to avoid having to manage 2 apps, but for now seems there is no solution to this :frowning:

#4

It is not possible nobody has a solution for this ?

How do you guys (and girls :slight_smile: ) handle the situation when you have an game with in-app purchase and wish to give the full version to someone ?

#5

I got an answer from Apple but they really didn’t answer any of my questions:

It is appropriate to utilize the In App Purchase API to unlock features
or content. However, it would be appropriate to remove the “Send Promo
Code” feature from the app.

So, I am close to this solution, would really like to get your opinions:

Make two versions of the game:

  1. free one with in-app purchase to unlock some features

  2. paid one with all features (and set the release date to far future)

That way I could get promo codes go give away to review sites etc.

Major downside to this solution is to manage two versions of the same game on App Store.

Thoughts ?

#6

If the app isn’t released yet, how do expect people to redeem the promo code?

As far as review sites go, most of them are not going to review your app unless you pay them. If you’re willing to pay $79 (for example) for a review, then they probably don’t mind spending $0.99 to unlock an in app purchase.

#7

I have learned that lately, when the app is approved and if the release date is in the future, the promo code CAN be used and the app CAN be downloaded with the promo code.

Actually, that is a strategy we will use for our new game. That way you have time to prepare the press for the release, make a video etc.

About the promo codes, there are chance if your app is good, some sites will review them for free.

Many sites ask for promo codes in their “submit for review” form.

#8

You’re not allowed to have ANY kind of system for your own codes. It sucks but that’s how it is.

#9

I have done a bit of Google search.

One suggested solution would be to have a paid app with future release date.

I would like to avoid having to manage 2 apps, but for now seems there is no solution to this :frowning:

#10

It is not possible nobody has a solution for this ?

How do you guys (and girls :slight_smile: ) handle the situation when you have an game with in-app purchase and wish to give the full version to someone ?

#11

I got an answer from Apple but they really didn’t answer any of my questions:

It is appropriate to utilize the In App Purchase API to unlock features
or content. However, it would be appropriate to remove the “Send Promo
Code” feature from the app.

So, I am close to this solution, would really like to get your opinions:

Make two versions of the game:

  1. free one with in-app purchase to unlock some features

  2. paid one with all features (and set the release date to far future)

That way I could get promo codes go give away to review sites etc.

Major downside to this solution is to manage two versions of the same game on App Store.

Thoughts ?

#12

If the app isn’t released yet, how do expect people to redeem the promo code?

As far as review sites go, most of them are not going to review your app unless you pay them. If you’re willing to pay $79 (for example) for a review, then they probably don’t mind spending $0.99 to unlock an in app purchase.

#13

I have learned that lately, when the app is approved and if the release date is in the future, the promo code CAN be used and the app CAN be downloaded with the promo code.

Actually, that is a strategy we will use for our new game. That way you have time to prepare the press for the release, make a video etc.

About the promo codes, there are chance if your app is good, some sites will review them for free.

Many sites ask for promo codes in their “submit for review” form.

#14

I was just looking into doing this for my app when I found this post.  I have an idea that may be a solution.  I’ve used an IAP item set at zero cost to give users of a 1.0 version a “free” upgrade to a new version.  So, I wonder if Apple would have a problem with the following:

  1. Include a hidden or disabled button that utilizes IAP to purchase the “free” content.

  2. Unhide or enable the button on entry of a valid promo code.

Any thoughts on that?

#15

I have used a custom URL scheme that unlocks the IAP content to get around this issue. So for example, I could send a reviewer a URL like “myappname://freebie” and that URL would open up the app and unlock the IAP content. I have sailed through the App Store review process with no issues, since you wouldn’t notice this feature unless you knew about it. Now technically it could be exploited if word got out, potentially costing you sales. But if that is a conern you could always have the URL scheme make a call to a web server to authenticate the URL as valid.

Here is more info on setting up custom URL schemes: http://www.coronalabs.com/blog/2011/12/22/using-app-url-schemes-in-ios/

#16

I was just looking into doing this for my app when I found this post.  I have an idea that may be a solution.  I’ve used an IAP item set at zero cost to give users of a 1.0 version a “free” upgrade to a new version.  So, I wonder if Apple would have a problem with the following:

  1. Include a hidden or disabled button that utilizes IAP to purchase the “free” content.

  2. Unhide or enable the button on entry of a valid promo code.

Any thoughts on that?

#17

I have used a custom URL scheme that unlocks the IAP content to get around this issue. So for example, I could send a reviewer a URL like “myappname://freebie” and that URL would open up the app and unlock the IAP content. I have sailed through the App Store review process with no issues, since you wouldn’t notice this feature unless you knew about it. Now technically it could be exploited if word got out, potentially costing you sales. But if that is a conern you could always have the URL scheme make a call to a web server to authenticate the URL as valid.

Here is more info on setting up custom URL schemes: http://www.coronalabs.com/blog/2011/12/22/using-app-url-schemes-in-ios/

#18

Hey guys,

Prompted by the kind inclusion of this post in the Corona “From The Forum” blog posts, I’ve created a module for easily adding IAP promo codes to any Corona app. All you need to do is require the module into your app, and make a few minor adjustments to the module’s lua file. Here’s a link to a post on my own site showing how it works, with download links for the module as well as a sample project: http://www.jasonschroeder.com/2014/05/20/in-app-purchase-promo-codes-for-corona-sdk/
 

Enjoy!

#19

Looks great, saved link for later. Thanks!

#20

Ditto! Thanks much.