Dan Burcaw is Co-Founder & CEO of Nami ML. He built a top mobile app development agency responsible for some of the most elite apps on the App Store and then found himself inside the mobile marketing industry after selling his last company to Oracle.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps needed to implement promotional in-app purchases on iOS. We'll explain what promotional in-app purchases are, how to set them up in App Store Connect, and provide expert tips to ensure successful implementation and maximize user engagement.
What are Promotional in-app purchases (IAPs)?
Promotional in-app purchases are essential tools provided by Apple to help developers enhance the visibility of their in-app purchases (IAPs) and drive revenue. By utilizing these promotional features, developers can showcase their IAPs directly on their app’s product page, making it easier for potential users to discover and purchase premium content without needing to explore the app first.
Key promotional methods include highlighting specific IAPs on your App Store listing, leveraging Apple Search Ads to target relevant keywords, and ensuring that your in-app purchases are indexed and searchable on the App Store. These tools not only improve the discoverability of your app's premium offerings but also allow you to present these options to users at various stages of their interaction with your app, increasing conversion opportunities.
Through App Store promotions, developers can strategically drive attention to consumables, subscriptions, and non-consumable IAPs, creating more opportunities to convert users into paying customers.
Key elements:
Key aspects of promotional in-app purchases include:
Discounted or Bonus Offers: The promotions can provide discounted prices or extra content (like more virtual currency or items) than what is normally available.
Time-Sensitive: These offers often run for a limited time, creating urgency for users to make the purchase.
Event-Based or Seasonal: Developers may tie these promotions to events like holidays, app updates, or special milestones (like an app anniversary).
App Store Integration: Both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store support promotional IAPs, allowing developers to showcase these offers outside of the app (e.g., on the app’s listing page).
Marketing Strategy: Promotional IAPs are a part of a broader user acquisition and retention strategy, often paired with push notifications, emails, or in-app messages to notify users of the deals.
Free Trials: In some cases, promotional IAPs may also offer free trials of premium features, which can later convert into paid subscriptions.
Select Your App: From the dashboard, choose the app you want to add IAPs to.
Navigate to In-App Purchases: In the left-hand menu, click on the “Features” tab, then select “In-App Purchases.”
Add New IAP: Click on the "+" icon to add a new IAP. You can choose from four types of in-app purchases:some text
Consumable
Non-consumable
Auto-renewable subscription
Non-renewing subscription
Configure IAP Details: Provide clear and engaging names, descriptions, and pricing. Add icons or screenshots relevant to the IAP to make them attractive.
Submit for Review: Once you’ve added all the necessary details, submit the IAP for review by Apple.
Step 2: Promote IAPs on the App Store Product Page
You can display specific IAPs directly on your app’s product page for users to see before downloading.
Go to App Store Connect: Access your app in App Store Connect.
Select Your App and Navigate to In-App Purchases: From the Features tab, go to "In-App Purchases."
Enable Promotion on App Store: For each IAP, toggle the “App Store Promotion” option.
Organize IAP Display: Organize how IAPs appear on your product page to highlight the most important ones. Make sure they are relevant and valuable to users.
Step 3: Use Apple Search Ads to Promote In-App Purchases
Apple Search Ads allow you to promote specific IAPs through ads in search results.
Set Up an Apple Search Ads Account: Go to Apple Search Ads and create an account.
Create a Campaign:some text
Choose your app.
Set your budget and targeting options (such as keywords).
Target Specific In-App Purchases: Use the campaign to promote relevant IAPs to users searching for similar features.
Monitor and Optimize: Regularly track the performance of your Search Ads campaigns, adjust keywords, and optimize spending based on user engagement.
Step 4: Optimize Your App Store Listing
To make your app more attractive, optimize your product page with a focus on IAPs:
Update Screenshots: Include images that showcase premium features or exclusive content that users can unlock via IAPs.
App Preview Videos: Create short videos demonstrating in-app purchases or the benefits they provide.
Enhance Your App Description: Highlight how IAPs improve the user experience. Include key features that users can unlock by purchasing.
Use Keywords: Optimize your App Store listing with relevant keywords that describe your IAP offerings to increase discoverability.
Step 5: Use Push Notifications and In-App Messaging
Leverage in-app messaging and push notifications to remind users about your IAPs:
Set Up Push Notifications: Implement push notification services like Firebase Cloud Messaging or OneSignal in your app.
Personalized Offers: Use user data to send personalized offers. For example, send a message offering a discount on premium content a user has shown interest in.
Promote Limited-Time Offers: Create urgency by promoting discounts or exclusive content available for a limited time. Be sure to get user consent for notifications in compliance with Apple’s rules.
Step 6: Promote IAPs Outside the App Store
Use external marketing strategies to drive traffic to your app and promote IAPs.
Social Media Campaigns: Post content about your app’s IAPs on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Highlight the benefits and share links directly to the App Store.
Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers or content creators who can showcase your app and promote its IAPs to their followers.
Email Marketing: Send emails to your app’s user base with information on new or discounted IAPs. Use tools like Mailchimp to track performance.
Step 7: Track and Optimize Your Campaigns
After implementing the promotion strategies, continuously monitor the performance of your in-app purchases.
Use Analytics Tools: Utilize tools like Google Analytics or App Store Connect Analytics to track IAP conversions and user engagement.
A/B Testing: Test different pricing, descriptions, and offers for your IAPs to see what performs best.
Adjust Campaigns: Based on analytics, refine your promotions by adjusting your ad campaigns, optimizing keywords, or improving your push notification offers.
5 Pro Implementation Tips for Your Promotional In-App Purchases
1.Provide Friendly Name and Description in Metadata
Each promotional in-app purchase has a name and description.
The name should be different from your app’s name and describe the purchase in some human-readable way. In other words, don’t give it a name of promo_1_month. For the description, provide up to 45 characters of details about what the purchase unlocks. Try to avoid generic terms like ‘Unlock all access.’ That doesn’t help your customer understand the benefits of what they are buying!
2. Design a new Image for your Promotional In-App Purchase
Your promotional IAP should use a different image than your app logo. This is because in search results, Today, Games, and Apps tabs, your promo IAP will display with your app logo next to it. So make sure your logo isn’t repeated! Design a promo image with similar elements to your logo without completely copying it.
Promotional IAP from The Weather Channel app
3. Choose the Right Size and Layout for your Image
Apple has a particular size and layout for the promotional in-app purchase images. Their guidelines recommend a 1024 x 1024px image, either in .png or .jpeg format.
Apple also places the image in a frame. Make sure your image has plenty of padding on all sides, especially the bottom left where the app icon is inset.
To test your image, you can upload into App Store Connect for a live preview.
Testing an in-app promotional image live in App Store Connect
4. Use Consistent Branding for Your Promotional In-app Purchase Images
Your app has a brand and a style. Use these guidelines when designing your IAP images.
Gentler Streak uses their mascot in their promotional images. In the monthly image, the mascot is standing. In the yearly image, the mascot is moving. This cute detail helps represent the benefits of purchasing the yearly plan.
Promotional images for Gentler Streak app
The CARROT weather app utilizes the lightning bolt from their icon to represent premium.
CARROT Weather app store page
5. Create an Image for Each Product
You might sell multiple products in app: monthly or yearly plans, purchase packs, or lifetime access. Creating unique images for each of these products will help sell the benefits.
Four promotional in-app purchases from SongShift
Conclusion
Promoting in-app purchases effectively on iOS involves leveraging both Apple’s built-in tools like App Store promotions and Search Ads, as well as external marketing channels. By following these steps, you can increase visibility and encourage more users to make purchases in your app.
Explore more ways to enhance your app’s growth with NamiML’s low-code solutions. We offer tools to streamline the management and promotion of in-app purchases, helping you scale your app’s revenue effortlessly. Visit NamiML.comfor more information. are a great way to showcase your in-app purchases on the App Store and invite users to purchase before even downloading the app.
The DF-DFERH-01 error usually occurs due to conflicts in the subscription's status, especially when it's set to DEFERRED. In DEFERRED mode, subscriptions remain active but delay billing changes, creating issues when attempting adjustments or state changes. This deferred state can confuse the Google Play Store, resulting in errors as the system is unable to reconcile the transition fully.
Additionally, this error can stem from incomplete synchronization between the device cache and the server state, which sometimes causes discrepancies in how subscription transitions are processed. By understanding the cause, developers can apply targeted fixes and avoid repetitive issues.
Common Scenarios for DF-DFERH-01 Error Appearance
This error typically appears in the following scenarios:
Testing Subscription Downgrades with Proration: When a user is downgraded to a lower-tier subscription with DEFERRED proration, the system may be unable to reconcile the billing state due to conflicting timelines.
Subscription Transitions: Attempting to change a subscription’s state (e.g., upgrade or downgrade) while it’s in DEFERRED mode frequently triggers this error.
Cache Inconsistencies on Testing Devices: Device cache that hasn’t been cleared may hold outdated subscription data, causing the Play Store to recognize an inaccurate subscription status.
Network Issues: Unstable network connections during subscription changes can exacerbate deferred state errors, as the Google Play Store struggles to update the state accurately.
Step-by-Step Solutions for DF-DFERH-01 Error
Solution 1: Cancel the Subscription Manually
Purpose: Resetting the subscription state can help eliminate deferred conflicts that may cause the error.
Steps:
Open the Google Play Console.
Locate the user or test account with the subscription in question.
Manually select “Cancel Subscription” to reset its state.
After cancellation, restart the testing process by re-subscribing if needed.
Result: This often clears the deferred state, allowing for uninterrupted subscription changes or testing.
Solution 2: Clear Google Play Store Cache and Data
Purpose: Removing cached data allows the Play Store to reload the most recent subscription state, often resolving state mismatch issues.
Steps:
On the testing device, go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store.
Tap on Storage and choose Clear Cache.
(Optional) Clear Clear Data to remove additional stored information.
Restart the Google Play Store and retry the subscription transition or proration test.
Result: This helps refresh the Play Store’s data, which may correct any state mismatch caused by caching.
Solution 3: Rebuild the App with Updated Subscription State
Purpose: Ensures that the app uses the latest state for testing by reinitializing it.
Steps:
In your IDE (such as Android Studio), perform a Clean Build of the project.
Rebuild and redeploy the app on the testing device.
Attempt the subscription action again, such as a downgrade with DEFERRED proration.
Result: A fresh build can prevent errors by removing any unintended artifacts from previous tests.
Solution 4: Test on a Different Device or Network
Purpose: Avoids device-specific issues or network inconsistencies that may interfere with subscription state updates.
Steps:
Test the app on a different device with no previous subscription states stored.
Use a different Wi-Fi or data network to avoid potential network-related conflicts.
Retest the subscription transition under the DEFERRED mode.
Result: This isolates the problem, determining if the error is device or network-specific.
Solution 5: Contact Google Play Support for Persistent Issues
Purpose: In cases where the above steps fail, reaching out to Google Play Support can help identify issues that may not be visible in standard diagnostics.
Steps:
Document all troubleshooting steps you've taken and any relevant subscription IDs.
Reach out to Google Play Developer Support with this information.
Result: Google can offer direct insights or advanced troubleshooting specific to their backend systems.
Conclusion
The DF-DFERH-01 error on Google Play can disrupt the testing and transition of subscription states, especially in DEFERRED proration modes. By following these detailed troubleshooting steps—canceling subscriptions, clearing cache, rebuilding the app, testing on other devices, and, if necessary, consulting Google Play Support—developers can resolve the error and enhance their app’s stability.
With Nami, you can forget about the hassle of managing and updating in-app purchases. Our low-code solutions keep your subscriptions and purchases running smoothly, so you can focus on building your app's core features. Explore more at NamiML.
Apple's fiscal year is a structured schedule when Apple distributes app revenue to developers after deducting App Store fees and sales taxes. This schedule changes slightly every year, so it's crucial for developers and product managers to stay updated. Apple’s fiscal year is distinct from the typical fiscal year used by most companies, making it essential to understand its unique structure.
How Apple Fiscal Calendar Works
Apple’s fiscal year starts on the last Sunday of September and consists of four quarters, each lasting three months. The key points are:
Quarter Structure: Each quarter has three months.
The first month lasts for 35 days.
The next two months last for 28 days each.
Total Days: There are 364 days in the Apple Fiscal Year. Every five years, an extra week is added to account for the discrepancy.
Week Structure: Weeks start on Sunday and end on Saturday.
Payment Schedule: Payments are made every 4 or 5 weeks, always on the same day of the week (Thursday in 2024). Payments are typically for revenue collected two months prior.
Why Understanding the Fiscal Calendar is Important
Managing the Revenue Gap
You can’t access the revenue in your Developer Account until the payment date. This 33-day gap can disrupt your app’s financial flow, especially if you rely on paid traffic for app promotion. Managing your finances to account for this gap is crucial to avoid running out of funds.
Billing Challenges and Unpaid Ads
Ad networks require timely payments, and any pauses in your promotional activities due to insufficient funds can negatively impact your user acquisition strategy. Restarting ads after a pause can reduce their effectiveness. Proper financial planning helps maintain continuous ad campaigns.
Aligning Financial Metrics with Apple's Fiscal Periods
Align your performance metrics with your actual earnings. For instance, revenue earned in September will actually be from August 6 to September 2, but your spending might be based on the calendar month. Synchronize your financial records with Apple’s fiscal periods for accurate analysis.
Other important considerations
Apple pays developers proceeds for app or in-app purchase sales within 45 days of the last day of the fiscal month in which the transaction was completed.
When does Apple’s fiscal calendar 2024 start and end?
The 2024 fiscal year starts on October 1, 2023, and ends on September 28, 2024.
How are the quarters divided in Apple’s fiscal year in 2024?
Quarters are three months long, with 13 weeks divided into three periods of 5, 4, and 4 weeks.
When will Apple release its quarterly financial results?
Apple’s fiscal calendar for app developers is separate from its corporate financial results, which are published according to a general fiscal calendar.
How does Apple’s fiscal calendar differ from the standard calendar year?
Apple’s fiscal year has 364 days, with an extra week added every five years, and payment periods last for 4 or 5 weeks instead of calendar months.
Conclusion
Navigating Apple's unique fiscal year can be intricate, but understanding its structure is vital for managing your app’s revenue. By staying informed about key dates and payment schedules, you can optimize your financial planning and ensure a smooth revenue cycle.
Enhance your financial proficiency and in-app monetization by leveraging the Apple Fiscal Calendar 2024. Stay ahead in managing your app’s revenue effectively.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to test DEFERRED Proration Mode, common issues that arise during testing, and how to resolve them. Additionally, we’ll explain what Proration Modes are and highlight other types available beyond DEFERRED.
What is Proration Mode?
Proration Modes define how Google Play Billing handles the transition when a user changes from one subscription plan to another. These modes determine when the new subscription takes effect and how the remaining balance of the current plan is treated.
Types of Proration Modes
Google Play offers the following Proration Modes:
IMMEDIATE_WITH_TIME_PRORATION: The new subscription starts immediately, and the remaining time on the current plan is prorated and credited.
IMMEDIATE_AND_CHARGE_PRORATED_PRICE: The new subscription starts immediately, and the user is charged a prorated amount for the difference.
IMMEDIATE_WITHOUT_PRORATION: The new subscription starts immediately, but there is no adjustment for the remaining time of the current subscription.
DEFERRED: The new subscription starts when the current plan expires, often used for downgrades.
Understanding DEFERRED Proration Mode in Google Play Billing
DEFERRED Proration Mode postpones the subscription plan change until the current subscription cycle ends. Google describes this mode as: “Replacement takes effect when the old plan expires, and the new price will be charged at the same time.”
This mode is most commonly used for subscription downgrades. If a user downgrades from a higher-tier plan to a lower-tier one, the new plan won’t take effect until the renewal date.
Example Scenarios:
Monthly Plans: If a user downgrades in the middle of a billing cycle (e.g., day 15 of a 30-day cycle), the change won’t take effect until the renewal date—up to 31 days later.
Annual Plans: If a user downgrades on day 1 of a yearly subscription, the change won’t take effect for the remaining 365 days.
How to Test DEFERRED Proration Mode Step-by-Step
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode involves unique challenges because the subscription change doesn’t take effect immediately. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help ensure your implementation works as expected:
1. Set Up Your Development Environment
Ensure that your in-app products or subscriptions are active in the Google Play Console.
Create different subscription tiers (e.g., basic, premium) to test downgrades and upgrades.
2. Testing via a Device Development Build
Initiate the downgrade process. After confirming the subscription change, you should receive a confirmation email from Google Play.
Observe that the deferred subscription won’t replace the current one until the existing subscription expires.
If the system gets stuck (e.g., the current plan remains active even after the expiration), you can manually cancel the subscription via Play Store > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
3. End-to-End Testing via a Test Track Build
Signed Builds: For more accurate results, use a signed APK distributed through a Test Track (Internal, Alpha, or Beta). This will simulate a real-world environment for testing subscription changes.
Steps for Test Track Setup:
Ensure Active Products: Make sure your subscription products are active in Play Console.
Add Testers to Test Track: Go to the Internal, Alpha, or Beta test tracks in Play Console and add approved testers. Testers must also join the test via the link.
License Testing: Add the testers' Google accounts under Setup > License Testing to allow them to make purchases using test credit cards.
Verify Google Play Account: Ensure the correct Google account is signed into the Play Store before testing, especially if multiple accounts are on the device.
4. Validate Results
Check if the deferred plan activates correctly after the current subscription expires.
Look for any error codes or confirmation emails related to the plan change.
Troubleshooting Common Issues in Google Play Billing
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode might present various challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Subscription Plan Change Error (DF-DFERH-01): This error indicates a problem with the subscription change. Try canceling the subscription manually, resetting the test app, or reinstalling it.
Stuck Deferred Plan: If the system keeps the current plan active even after expiration, manually cancel the subscription from Play Store > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
Errors When Upgrading: Users attempting to upgrade while a DEFERRED change is pending will encounter an error: "We are unable to change your subscription plan."
Play Billing Doesn’t Surface DEFERRED Transactions: Until the new plan takes effect, there won’t be a Purchase Token or Order Number available in the system.
Practical Considerations for Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode
When testing DEFERRED Proration Mode, keep these real-world scenarios in mind:
Lack of User Visibility: End users won’t see deferred transactions in Play Store > Payments & subscriptions. They’ll only receive a confirmation email when the plan change occurs.
Reverting Subscription Changes: If a user tries to revert the change to the original subscription plan before the DEFERRED change takes effect, an error message will appear: "We are unable to change your subscription plan."
Simplifying Google Play Billing with Nami
Managing subscription proration and handling the complexities of DEFERRED Proration Mode can be challenging. With NamiML, developers can streamline their Google Play Billing implementation. Here's what we offer:
A proven solution for handling subscription downgrades, upgrades, and proration modes.
An SDK that requires no server-side code and is easy to adopt.
Built-in native paywall templates, A/B testing, and analytics to optimize your subscription model.
A generous free tierwith many features not available in homegrown implementations.
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode in Google Play Billing requires understanding its intricacies, especially regarding how subscription changes are delayed. Following the step-by-step guide ensures that your implementation works correctly and that potential issues are addressed before going live. With tools like NamiML, you can simplify this process, reducing the hassle of handling proration modes and focusing on delivering an exceptional user experience.
One of the most common errors you might encounter implementing Google Play Billing is BillingResponseCode.ITEM_UNAVAILABLE (code 4). The corresponding message from the BillingClient API is frustratingly vague. Here's how to fix it.
Fixing "The Item You Requested is Not Available for Purchase" error
1 Add Your App to a Test Track
Ensure your app has been uploaded to the Google Play Console at least once and assigned to a test track (internal, alpha, or beta).
2. Activate Your Products
Confirm that the in-app purchase or subscription product is active and properly configured in the Play Console. Inactive products cannot be bought.
3. Add Testers to Test Track
Add approved testers to your internal, alpha, or beta test tracks. These testers must also join the test via the provided link in the Play Console.
4. Enable License Testing
Under Setup > License Testing, add the Google accounts of your testers. This allows them to make test purchases using test credit cards, avoiding actual charges.
5. Verify Google Play Account
Ensure the Google Play account signed in on the testing device matches the one added for testing and license testing. This account must be the active account before attempting any test purchases.
Simplify Google Play Billing with Nami
Implementing Google Play Billing can be complex and time-consuming. Nami offers a simplified solution with a proven implementation that covers all tricky edge cases. Our SDK is easy to adopt, requires no server-side code, and includes built-in native paywall templates, A/B testing, and analytics. With Nami, you can focus on creating a great app experience without the hassle of Play Billing infrastructure.
Now you can focus on building a great app experience, not hassling with Play Billing infrastructure. Get started for free here.
Addressing the "The item you requested is not available for purchase" error requires a thorough understanding of your app’s architecture and integration with external services. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the issue, ensuring a seamless user experience and maximizing your app’s revenue potential.
For more insights and solutions to common app development challenges, visit our website at namiml.com. Explore our low-code solutions to streamline your development process and enhance your app’s functionality.
First, visit the App Store Connect website and log in with your Apple ID and password. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to manage the app whose name you want to change.
Step 2: Select Your App
Navigate to the "My Apps" section, where you will see all the apps associated with your account. Select the app for which you want to change the name.
Step 3: Create a New Version
Click on the "+" button or the "Create New Version" option to start a new version of your app.
Step 4: Edit App Information
Go to the "App Information" section in the left-hand menu. This section contains all the details about your app, including its name and subtitle.
Step 5: Change the App Name
In the "App Information" section, click on the name field and enter the new app name. Ensure the new name adheres to Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines and fits your branding strategy.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Scroll down and click the "Save" button to save the changes to your app’s metadata.
Step 7: Submit for Review
Navigate to the “App Store” tab and click “Submit for Review.” Apple will review the changes before they go live on the App Store.
If Your App is Not Yet Live
To change the name and subtitle of an app that is not yet live on the App Store, you need to open App Store Connect and navigate to your app's page. Once there, you can directly modify the app name and subtitle fields. After making the necessary changes, ensure that you save your updates.
Additional Considerations
App Store Optimization (ASO): When changing your app name, consider how it impacts your ASO. Use keywords that enhance discoverability and align with user search behavior. Tools like Sensor Tower or App Annie can provide insights into effective keyword strategies.
Brand Consistency: Ensure the new name aligns with your overall branding strategy. Consistency across all branding elements, including app icons, screenshots, and promotional materials, reinforces brand recognition.
User Communication: Inform your existing users about the name change to avoid confusion. Use push notifications, in-app messages, and email newsletters to communicate this change effectively.
Legal and Trademark Considerations: Verify that your new app name is not infringing on existing trademarks. Legal conflicts can lead to your app being removed from the store.
Updating your app name in App Store Connect is a crucial step in maintaining your app’s relevance and brand identity. By following the steps outlined above and considering additional factors like ASO, branding consistency, and user communication, you can easily change your app name, ensuring it reflects your latest updates and marketing efforts.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your App Store Optimization efforts relate to monetization, we’d be happy to help. In the meantime, happy app making and best of luck with App Store discovery.
