Description:
We are implementing an in-app purchase (IAP) feature using StoreKit where one user can purchase a non-consumable or one-time product for another user within the same app. We would like to confirm whether our implementation approach aligns with Apple’s guidelines for digital content and in-app purchases, specifically regarding entitlement assignment across user accounts.
Implementation Context:
The app is built using React Native.
We use a StoreKit wrapper library (react-native-iap) to initiate and manage in-app purchases.
All transactions are completed using Apple’s In-App Purchase system.
Receipts are validated on our backend server before granting any entitlements.
Use Case Overview:
The app supports a family-style model where multiple users (accounts) can be connected.
We have two related scenarios:
Scenario 1: Existing Connected User
User A (purchaser) and User B (recipient) are already connected within the app.
User A selects User B and purchases a one-time digital product using Apple In-App Purchase.
The app validates the transaction and sends the receipt and transaction identifier to our backend.
The backend verifies the transaction and assigns the entitlement to User B’s account.
When User B logs into the app, access is granted based on entitlement status.
Scenario 2: New User (Not Yet Registered at Time of Purchase)
User A purchases a one-time digital product using Apple In-App Purchase and specifies a recipient email address.
The backend records the purchase and associates it with the recipient’s email address along with a secure, single-use claim token.
The recipient (User B) receives an email containing a secure link and later installs the app and creates an account or logs into an existing account.
After authentication and validation of the claim token, the backend attaches the entitlement to User B’s account.
When User B logs into the app, access is granted based on entitlement status without requiring any explicit “redeem,” “claim,” or “accept” action within the app.
Important Details:
All purchases are completed using Apple’s In-App Purchase system.
No external payment methods, codes, or alternative purchasing mechanisms are used.
The app does not present any in-app UI for entering codes or manually redeeming purchases.
Entitlements are applied automatically by the backend after transaction validation.
For new users, entitlement is granted only after secure verification (e.g., a single-use token delivered via email) and not based solely on email address matching.
The app only reflects entitlement state after user authentication.
Cross-Platform Consideration:
User accounts may be accessed across platforms (iOS and Android).
Entitlements are associated with the user account and reflected after login.
Specific Questions:
Is it acceptable to assign an IAP entitlement purchased by one user (User A) to another user account (User B), provided the purchase is completed via Apple IAP and the recipient does not perform any in-app redemption or activation action?
In Scenario 2 (new user onboarding), is it acceptable to associate a purchase with a recipient email and, after the user signs up and logs in, attach the entitlement to their account following secure verification (e.g., using a single-use claim token), without presenting any in-app redemption or activation flow?
Are there any restrictions or recommended practices for granting access to digital content on iOS devices to a user who did not directly initiate the purchase but is the intended recipient within the app’s account system?
For cross-platform usage, is it acceptable for an entitlement originating from an Apple IAP transaction to be associated with a user account and reflected across platforms after login?
Are there any StoreKit-specific considerations (such as transaction handling, receipt validation, or appAccountToken usage) when assigning a transaction’s entitlement to a different user account than the purchaser?
Expected Outcome:
We would like confirmation that the described approaches are compliant with Apple’s guidelines and do not violate policies related to unlocking digital content or bypassing In-App Purchase mechanisms.
If any part of these flows is not recommended, we would appreciate guidance on the correct implementation approach.
Additional Notes:
We have reviewed App Store Review Guidelines section 3.1.1 and want to ensure that our implementation aligns with the intended usage.
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