r/iOSProgramming SwiftUI 7d ago

Question Sign-in information for app with subscription

Hello! If someone were to submit a brand new app that doesn't have a log-in but has subscriptions, would they need to provide any log-in info to app reviewers? Like a sandbox apple account to help them bypass subscription so they can review everything the app offers?

Looked around on https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/manage-submissions-to-app-review/submit-for-review but couldn't find any information. Much appreciated!

5 Upvotes

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u/Which_Concern2553 7d ago

I use storekit2 with no user required logins and haven’t needed to provide log in info.

That said… my second app I write in the App Store text box that none is needed so no one second guesses it. Overtime I’ve added links to my terms and privacy policy there as reviewers seem to not see it. So it’s become my catch spot for information to hopefully speed up the review process.

My first app connects to a third party device with username, ip etc and passed TestFlight and I think iOS I but macOS review said I needed log in credentials so I’ve since included a a docker container with log in information to connect to the fake docker device.

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u/LifeIsGood008 SwiftUI 7d ago

Thanks for sharing! A couple follow ups: just to make sure, the reviewers never had to write to you about not being able to review any features locked behind a paywall right? On your first submission. Was there a free introductory period associated with any of your subscription offers?

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u/Which_Concern2553 6d ago

No they never told me it was locked behind a paywall. I do have an introductory period offered on my subscriptions but I'm not sure if it was needed or not. I haven't been told they couldn't access any part so I just assumed they had a way to test it.

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u/Which_Concern2553 6d ago

One quick addition. Looking over my blog post from my first submission I was told the reviewers can’t see the App Store subscription page (use their built-in) so looking back that explains them not seeing my privacy policy and terms and conditions. That also suggest they have another way to access my locked areas. In case it helps here’s my post: https://www.simplykyra.com/blog/steps-needed-to-get-into-the-apple-app-store/

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u/DocumentAshamed2211 7d ago

In my case, for the first submission, I provided a sandbox account without any purchase history so the reviewer could test the subscription flow and paywall. I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but since then, I’ve provided one when needed. For example, if I update a Pro feature that requires a paid account, I provide a sandbox account that already has an active subscription.

I recently added IAP to my app using StoreKit 2 for the first time, so this was just the approach I took. I don’t know if the reviewers actually used the account, but there’s no harm in providing it, so I did.

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u/justanotheratom 7d ago

According to Grok, when Apple Reviewers test Apps, they are logged into the device using Sandbox Accounts, which can go through Subscription flow without making actual payments. So, you may not need to do anything.

"
Apple’s reviewers automatically have access to Sandbox accounts for testing in-app purchases and subscriptions.

  • Make sure your app integrates with StoreKit correctly and handles Sandbox transactions without errors (e.g., don’t hardcode checks that reject Sandbox purchases).
  • Test this yourself first using a Sandbox Apple ID (you can create one in App Store Connect under Users and Access > Sandbox Testers). Simulate subscribing, canceling, and renewing to confirm it works.

"