Testing in-app purchases

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

Before I make a mistake, I just want to double check a few things to do with In-App Purchases:

  1. Do I need to submit my app to the Apple app store before I am able to test my In-App purchases?

1.a. Does this mean that I need to submit all the details of the app so that it can pass the apple testing?

  1. Is there an easier way to test the In-App purchases rather than having to upload the binary to the store and going through all the rigamarole of getting it approved?

  2. We have chosen to focus on Android, with our marketing campaign, to start with. Do any of you have any suggestions about where we could get great coverage of our app? (We’re publishing a business sales app, by the way)

#2

  1.  You need to enter the details of your IAP, including a screenshot of what happens during the purchase, then you can start testing test.  The following page explains how to do this (in Corona, though, you would only need to get up to the part titled “What next?” and it starts talking about Xcode).  You won’t need to have completed every last detail to test your app, but you will need to set up test users as part of the process.

  2.  At the risk of shameless self-promotion, I’ve written a module that will let you test in-app purchases on the simulator and your device, before having to connect to the actual store to do some final testing.  If you get everything working with the module, and assuming you’ve got your iTunes Connect console set up correctly, then everything should work correctly on the device.  The thread is here.

  3.  Struggled massively with this… let me know if you have any success  :slight_smile:

#3

Hi, thanks for your reply!

I’ve had a look at the IAP process in iTunes connect and I keep getting

Your first In-App Purchase must be submitted with a new app version. Select it from the app’s In-App Purchases section and click Submit.

Once your binary has been uploaded and your first In-App Purchase has been submitted for review, additional In-App Purchases can be submitted using the table below.

You can only submit free In-App Purchase subscriptions with an app that’s in the Magazines & Newspapers category.

Now, we do have a working version, but this doesn’t include the IAP section. Should I upload that binary, write in the IAP stuff and then test it?

Haha, It is shameless :wink: I’ll take a look at it, thanks for the suggestion :slight_smile:

We’ve been having a conflab about it over the last couple of days (We’re getting ready for launch) and I had a quick google. It seems that most sites/‘consultants’ suggest all the same stuff of Social media, blogging and Advertising which, to me, seems like a very passive way of going about getting customers. I plan to be much more active in hunting for customers (Like going to university campuses to promote the app)

#4

Remember, you can only test IAP when your logged in on the device as a test user (settings->iTunes and AppStore->change apple ID etc.).  For what it’s worth, I don’t think testing IAP on the simulator in Xcode works any more.

If that doesn’t work, you could try uploading the binary, then immediately cancelling it.  I’m sure in my own apps I didn’t have to submit a binary just to test IAP with the real App Store (but the process is so convoluted, I could well have forgotten something).

I think you’re right about going out and finding customers - with so many apps on the App Store, visibility is a massive problem, and without getting lucky on ending up on the App Store front page, or the luxury of a big marketing spend, going to your target market could well be the way forward  :slight_smile:

#5

Haha, that’s ok! My xcode simulator broke long ago anyway! :stuck_out_tongue:

I’m glad I’ve found a kindred spirit - the IAP process has been pretty poor so far for apple.

We had talked about spending no more than £200 to test the water in Android advertising but, having read some of the stuff on here and elsewhere, it seems pretty pointless. Nothing beats boots on the ground

#6

I spent about £200 on a package of reviews and social media posts to promote my app, and it made no difference whatsoever.  I’ve also tried some advertising without any success.  I think you would have to be spending in the many thousands to make any impact… boots on the ground are definitely good.  Builds positive word of mouth in your niche too.

#7

Ohh thanks for the heads up! In that case, we’ll give it a miss.

I find it hard to believe that they (Apple and Google) do so little to promote apps from indie developers. It frustrates me that they do so little.

#8

  1.  You need to enter the details of your IAP, including a screenshot of what happens during the purchase, then you can start testing test.  The following page explains how to do this (in Corona, though, you would only need to get up to the part titled “What next?” and it starts talking about Xcode).  You won’t need to have completed every last detail to test your app, but you will need to set up test users as part of the process.

  2.  At the risk of shameless self-promotion, I’ve written a module that will let you test in-app purchases on the simulator and your device, before having to connect to the actual store to do some final testing.  If you get everything working with the module, and assuming you’ve got your iTunes Connect console set up correctly, then everything should work correctly on the device.  The thread is here.

  3.  Struggled massively with this… let me know if you have any success  :slight_smile:

#9

Hi, thanks for your reply!

I’ve had a look at the IAP process in iTunes connect and I keep getting

Your first In-App Purchase must be submitted with a new app version. Select it from the app’s In-App Purchases section and click Submit.

Once your binary has been uploaded and your first In-App Purchase has been submitted for review, additional In-App Purchases can be submitted using the table below.

You can only submit free In-App Purchase subscriptions with an app that’s in the Magazines & Newspapers category.

Now, we do have a working version, but this doesn’t include the IAP section. Should I upload that binary, write in the IAP stuff and then test it?

Haha, It is shameless :wink: I’ll take a look at it, thanks for the suggestion :slight_smile:

We’ve been having a conflab about it over the last couple of days (We’re getting ready for launch) and I had a quick google. It seems that most sites/‘consultants’ suggest all the same stuff of Social media, blogging and Advertising which, to me, seems like a very passive way of going about getting customers. I plan to be much more active in hunting for customers (Like going to university campuses to promote the app)

#10

Remember, you can only test IAP when your logged in on the device as a test user (settings->iTunes and AppStore->change apple ID etc.).  For what it’s worth, I don’t think testing IAP on the simulator in Xcode works any more.

If that doesn’t work, you could try uploading the binary, then immediately cancelling it.  I’m sure in my own apps I didn’t have to submit a binary just to test IAP with the real App Store (but the process is so convoluted, I could well have forgotten something).

I think you’re right about going out and finding customers - with so many apps on the App Store, visibility is a massive problem, and without getting lucky on ending up on the App Store front page, or the luxury of a big marketing spend, going to your target market could well be the way forward  :slight_smile:

#11

Haha, that’s ok! My xcode simulator broke long ago anyway! :stuck_out_tongue:

I’m glad I’ve found a kindred spirit - the IAP process has been pretty poor so far for apple.

We had talked about spending no more than £200 to test the water in Android advertising but, having read some of the stuff on here and elsewhere, it seems pretty pointless. Nothing beats boots on the ground

#12

I spent about £200 on a package of reviews and social media posts to promote my app, and it made no difference whatsoever.  I’ve also tried some advertising without any success.  I think you would have to be spending in the many thousands to make any impact… boots on the ground are definitely good.  Builds positive word of mouth in your niche too.

#13

Ohh thanks for the heads up! In that case, we’ll give it a miss.

I find it hard to believe that they (Apple and Google) do so little to promote apps from indie developers. It frustrates me that they do so little.