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Developers Now Able to Offer Promo Codes for In-App Purchases

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today announced that it is now letting developers create promo codes for in-app purchases, giving developers a way to allow early testers, reviewers, and press to unlock content that would normally only be available through a purchase.

Developers have long been able to offer promo codes to download a paid app, but until today, there was no simple way to offer access to in-app purchases.

Developers are able to give away up to 100 promo codes for each in-app purchase item, up to a maximum of 1,000 codes per app every six months.

Article Link: Developers Now Able to Offer Promo Codes for In-App Purchases
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/28/developers-promo-codes-in-app-purchases/
I could have sworn this was already a thing. Several years back EA tested this by giving everyone 10 free gold in Real Racing.

http://www.148apps.com/news/ea-mobi...ee-gold-real-racing-3-preparation-big-update/

"EA Mobile and Firemonkeys are saying "Something big is coming for Real Racing 3," and apparently it's so big that they want to make sure people are prepared by giving them 10 free gold, worth $1.99. Just visit this site from your iOS device, and it will open the App Store to give you a promo code for your free gold. This is one of the first uses of promo codes for in-app purchases, which typically have been for obtaining paid apps."

So this was a thing, back in 2014..
 
Mlrollin91 said:
I could have sworn this was already a thing. Several years back EA tested this by giving everyone 10 free gold in Real Racing.

http://www.148apps.com/news/ea-mobi...ee-gold-real-racing-3-preparation-big-update/

"EA Mobile and Firemonkeys are saying "Something big is coming for Real Racing 3," and apparently it's so big that they want to make sure people are prepared by giving them 10 free gold, worth $1.99. Just visit this site from your iOS device, and it will open the App Store to give you a promo code for your free gold. This is one of the first uses of promo codes for in-app purchases, which typically have been for obtaining paid apps."

So this was a thing, back in 2014..
Click to expand...

May want to read the article again
 
itsmilo said:
May want to read the article again
Click to expand...

Instead of telling me to reread something, why don't you point out what I'm confusing. I read them again, both state developers can now give free promo codes for in-app purchases.
 
I have noticed that we can get it out of cunsumable IAP items too.
But wonder how it works when users redeem those codes
 
Mlrollin91 said:
I could have sworn this was already a thing. Several years back EA tested this by giving everyone 10 free gold in Real Racing.

http://www.148apps.com/news/ea-mobi...ee-gold-real-racing-3-preparation-big-update/

"EA Mobile and Firemonkeys are saying "Something big is coming for Real Racing 3," and apparently it's so big that they want to make sure people are prepared by giving them 10 free gold, worth $1.99. Just visit this site from your iOS device, and it will open the App Store to give you a promo code for your free gold. This is one of the first uses of promo codes for in-app purchases, which typically have been for obtaining paid apps."

So this was a thing, back in 2014..
Click to expand...

Yeah, Lumosity did the same thing with Starbucks that year too. It was probably ready then, but it wasn't the right time.
 
Tubamajuba said:
Just as courageous and innovative as people posting the exact same things over and over again in the comments of every single article on this website.
Click to expand...

Oh you don't say, I thought I was the first ever? I can't be held responsible for other people's misuse or overuse of #courage. I as a developer am FINALLY!!! happy they got around to implementing this, and wanted to take a jab at Apple for taking so long to implement it.

Might I suggest you read fewer articles? That would make my jab new to you and therefore not as annoying :D:p
 
acegreen said:
Oh you don't say, I thought I was the first ever? I can't be held responsible for other people's misuse or overuse of #courage. I as a developer am FINALLY!!! happy they got around to implementing this, and wanted to take a jab at Apple for taking so long to implement it.

Might I suggest you read fewer articles? That would make my jab new to you and therefore not as annoying :D:p
Click to expand...
Had I read your signature, your comment would have made much more sense. Sorry for jumping to conclusions- glad you got a much needed feature!
 
acegreen said:
Oh you don't say, I thought I was the first ever? I can't be held responsible for other people's misuse or overuse of #courage. I as a developer am FINALLY!!! happy they got around to implementing this, and wanted to take a jab at Apple for taking so long to implement it.

Might I suggest you read fewer articles? That would make my jab new to you and therefore not as annoying :D:p
Click to expand...

Still, no need to be a dick about it. This constant low-effort Apple bashing is so tedious, why add to it?
 
nicky0 said:
Still, no need to be a dick about it. This constant low-effort Apple bashing is so tedious, why add to it?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call #courage "bashing". As I said its a little jab at them for taking so long to implement one of the most requested developer features for as long as I remember.

Unlike you I'm more than a fanboy so I have the right to jab at them out of frustration. Even if its tedious on you to read it over and over again. You are looking at this from a biased perspective. Reading article after article with people "bashing" Apple, my little jab seems like another bash to you. But really its a little tiny jab
[doublepost=1477830724][/doublepost]
Hustler1337 said:
How about get rid of in-app purchases altogether?
Click to expand...

Horrible idea! Between users not willing to pay for app upfront and developers already having a hard time making money, this would be the final straw. IAPs are one of the only ways to introduce users to the app and a basic set of features and allow them to pay for more advanced features. Without annoying and intrusive ads or asking for an upfront payment.

Additionally because indie devs are having a hard time generating income, many are abandoning their apps or leaving them outdated and unsupported. IAP promos is a cheap way of doing this for them. As promos are suppose to cause a spike in downloads and therefore spur more organic growth that should result in more IAP purchases and such.

Still not the best solution because it makes indie devs sacrifice short term profit for POTENTIALLY future earnings. Apple needs to spur more opportunities for developers to make money to keep their ecosystem strong.
 
Last edited:
acegreen said:
I wouldn't call #courage "bashing". As I said its a little jab at them for taking so long to implement one of the most requested developer features for as long as I remember.

Unlike you I'm more than a fanboy so I have the right to jab at them out of frustration. Even if its tedious on you to read it over and over again. You are looking at this from a biased perspective. Reading article after article with people "bashing" Apple, my little jab seems like another bash to you. But really its a little tiny jab
[doublepost=1477830724][/doublepost]

Horrible idea! Between users not willing to pay for app upfront and developers already having a hard time making money, this would be the final straw. IAPs are one of the only ways to introduce users to the app and a basic set of features and allow them to pay for more advanced features. Without annoying and intrusive ads or asking for an upfront payment.

Additionally because indie devs are having a hard time generating income, many are abandoning their apps or leaving them outdated and unsupported. IAP promos is a cheap way of doing this for them. As promos are suppose to cause a spike in downloads and therefore spur more organic growth that should result in more IAP purchases and such.

Still not the best solution because it makes indie devs sacrifice short term profit for POTENTIALLY future earnings. Apple needs to spur more opportunities for developers to make money to keep their ecosystem strong.
Click to expand...

Now educate users on why pay-for apps are better than "free" ads that usurp away your monthly bandwidth and processor time with all the hidden garbage... oh, wait, app crap makers prefer the ad-based revenue since it's more moola for them in the long road, or at least for the 2 minutes a person uses a game before getting sick and ****ing tired of ads...
 
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So if a developer sells In-app purchase promo codes from their website, they can get around Apple's 30% cut?
 
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