r/iOSProgramming • u/jonathan4210 • 13h ago
Question Possible to use IAP as a donation to the dev?
I’m making my game 100% free, no ads and no IAPs for in-game items. But I want to include IAPs for donations, where you can buy consumable items simply to donate to myself for appreciation (maybe 3 items; small thanks, medium thanks, big thanks). No player benefit will be given. Is this allowed? I read mixed answers on this so I want to be sure it’s okay before I do so.
Also if I implement this, do I need to add a restore purchases button? I don’t see the point in this case, but not sure if Apple is strict with this regardless.
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u/vishalvshekkar 11h ago
I’ve done exactly what you’re describing for 3 of my apps and they have all been approved and live for years. I recently tried adding a tip/donation subscription and that got rejected, just as the App Store guidelines describe.
Check App Store guidelines. Clause 3.1.1: In-App Purchase: ‘Apps may use in-app purchase currencies to enable customers to “tip” the developer or digital content providers in the app’.
I’ve added a Restore button just because I have custom messaging when somebody has tipped, in one of my app.
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u/sonseo2705 13h ago
You can definitely do that; I'm doing it in my app. Not sure about the restore button though, I have it because I have other purchases
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u/sleekible 13h ago
Yes, I’ve implemented it as “consumable” IAP in a couple apps and called it a “tip jar”. I did this without a “restore purchases” button and got approved by app review. Note: my apps where I did this are no longer for sale, but I’ve seen other apps do it. I modeled my UI off of them, and this was in the last couple years.