iOS app is rejected because of user buy subscription without IAP [closed]

Question

I build a tool app on iOS platform. I want create three level for users. basic, pro and premium. each level provide different functions. So user need pay for pro and premium subscription plan. the difference between level is pro user can create more document than basic user.

The thing is I don't want use IAP, I don't want apple share the 30% revenue, so I created a website to let user pay the subscription through web. I got the app approved 3 times before, without any rejection. but recently, Apple review team reject my app with follow info

From Apple 11.13 - Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the App, such as a "buy" button that goes to a web site to purchase a digital book, will be rejected 11.13 Details

We noticed that your app provides access to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, which does not comply with the App Store Review Guidelines.

I am very sure that I didn't have any button or link inside of app to navigate user to website for payment. My app do grab the subscription level from website by API to restrict user function by level. I am not very sure if this is not allowed by apple. I check apple review guideline again and find

11.14 Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video and cloud storage) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the App, as long as there is no button or external link in the App to purchase the approved content. Apple will only receive a portion of revenues for content purchased inside the App

Kindle and dropbox are following 11.14. they removed IAP from app and let user buy content from website. I can tell they are following 11.14. so apple approve that.

But 11.14 only works for magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video and cloud storage. while I am not sure whether my app belongs one of them. But my app is very similar with Evernote. Evernote provide payment both on website and IAP.

So my question is If Evernote remove IAP from app and only let user buy from website. will apple reject that? If not, then my app should not be rejected.

Answer 1

Ultimately this is a question that you should be asking Apple. Different reviews catch different things. Although you may not have a button to send people to your website to pay for the subscription, it kind of sounds like the only purpose of the website is to buy a subscription for the app (if i'm wrong feel free to correct me). If thats the case i can completely understand the rejection. Apple wants purchases made for subscriptions for the app to be made in the app which means going through Apple and dealing with them taking %30. If you make a website with the sole purpose of bypassing Apples guidelines then they are going to notice eventually.

Also the difference between your app and Evernote from the sounds of it, is that Evernote has other platforms that the subscription relates too. The app just happens to be another place the user can benefit from the subscription.

At the end of the day i would mostly recommend that you think about the user experience first. I get not wanting to shave off %30, but you may end up gaining more subscriptions by having IAP in your app and giving away the %30 then by not having an in app subscription mechanism at all.