Real-World Cases

Paywall design with toggle to enable/disable free trial is confusing

Fix: Removed the trial toggle and instead showed trial terms clearly as static text before the subscribe button.

Apple rejecting because paywall has toggle to enable/disable free trial, saying it's confusing

Fix: Removed the toggle. Made free trial the default with clear terms displayed prominently.

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your app uses a custom rating dialog that manipulates users into rating before accessing features.

Fix: Removed the custom rating dialog entirely. Implemented SKStoreReviewController which shows Apples native review prompt at appropriate moments. Never gate features behind ratings. Used legitimate paywa...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your app uses confusing button colors where the Subscribe button is green and the Skip button is gray, creating a dark pattern.

Fix: Made both options equally visible: Subscribe and Not Now as equally sized buttons with clear contrast. Users should make a conscious choice, not accidentally subscribe. Removed all manipulative design...

Guideline 3.1.2(a) - Your apps subscription terms are not clearly communicated before purchase. The price, duration, and auto-renewal terms are not prominently displayed.

Fix: Made subscription terms impossible to miss: large text showing price per period, free trial duration with end date, and auto-renewal explanation all visible without scrolling. Added the Apple-mandated...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your app uses dark patterns to push users toward a subscription with a misleading free trial.

Fix: Redesigned the paywall with a clearly visible Close/Skip button. Free trial terms shown prominently. Added a second confirmation before starting the trial. Removed the forced paywall on first launch -...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Misleading free trial that converts to a high-priced subscription without adequate notice.

Fix: Increased the price text size to match the button size. Added explicit language: After 3-day free trial ends, $89.99/year will be charged to your Apple ID. Added a price comparison showing monthly equ...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your app does not clearly communicate the subscription price in the users local currency.

Fix: Used StoreKit Product.displayPrice to show the localized price. Removed all hardcoded price strings. The StoreKit API automatically formats the price in the users local currency with proper formatting...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Your paywall includes a toggle to enable/disable the free trial, which creates confusion about the actual subscription terms.

Fix: Redesigned the paywall to always show the free trial as the primary option. Removed the toggle entirely. Made pricing crystal clear: 7-day free trial, then $4.99/month. Added Apple-required subscripti...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business. Your app shows a special price that appears to be a limited time offer but the same price is always shown.

Fix: Removed the fake urgency. If the price is always $4.99, show it as $4.99 without fake comparisons. If running a genuine promotion, use StoreKit offer codes with actual expiration dates that Apple can...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your app shows a full-screen paywall that cannot be dismissed, forcing users to subscribe or quit.

Fix: Added a visible Close/Skip button on the paywall. Made basic features available without subscription. Only premium features (faster servers, more locations) require subscription. Users must always be...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Subscriptions. Your apps pre-consent screen mimics the system subscription confirmation dialog to trick users.

Fix: Redesigned the pre-consent screen to look clearly different from Apple system dialogs. Used our brand colors and fonts. Made it obvious this is app content, not a system dialog. The actual system shee...

Guideline 3.1.2 - Your auto-renewable subscription does not provide ongoing value to justify recurring charges. The content is static and does not change.

Fix: Changed to a one-time purchase model for the existing content library. Added a smaller subscription tier that includes new weekly meditations, live sessions, and personalized recommendations. Made the...