iPad Pro Offline Transaction for an APP Purchase at Massive Discount ?

[DaveSanDiego]

First off.... you cannot legally/safely download an app for iOS (either iPhone or iPad) without going thru the Apple Store. Unfortunatly this is the way it is. As such, the developer has NO IDEA who has downloaded their app, has no access to any "database of users", nor can they blacklist a user .... Only Apple can do that.

None of this applies to macOS applications however. Other than they must be "notoraized".... A developer is free to sell in the App Store, AND sell on their own, in which case they know who THEY sold to, but again not who bought it via the store.

So, if they are offering you any "deal" (other than a promo code).... WALK AWAY

 

[planteater]

But using the official system, if he did wipe a customer from the server they can go to Apple, who has the receipt showing this person paid this developer for this functionality. Then you at least have Apple's weight behind you.

Going backdoor, the dev could delete him off the server, then what? Go to Apple and say you have a Paypal receipt to this guy? That transaction has no proven connection to the app as far as Apple is concerned.

I guess it comes down to developer reputation, comfort level, and risk (expense).

For me personally, I research every developer of any app I install very carefully. If it meets my required checks from a privacy/security perspective, then it would also meet my requirements from a licensing standpoint. I would have trust.

 

[VforVelveta]

First off.... you cannot legally/safely download an app for iOS (either iPhone or iPad) without going thru the Apple Store. Unfortunatly this is the way it is. As such, the developer has NO IDEA who has downloaded their app, has no access to any "database of users", nor can they blacklist a user .... Only Apple can do that.

None of this applies to macOS applications however. Other than they must be "notoraized".... A developer is free to sell in the App Store, AND sell on their own, in which case they know who THEY sold to, but again not who bought it via the store.

So, if they are offering you any "deal" (other than a promo code).... WALK AWAY

That's not true if an app has any sort of account system you have to sign up for. Then you just have a list on a server of what accounts have paid, either through the official IAP method or some other way, then have the app check the server when deciding what functionality to present to the user.

In the end this is all just a risk judgement, you can either get a good discount at the expense of giving the developer all of the power in the event anything goes wrong, or pay full price and have the benefits of an official purchase. It's up to you to decide if this developer is trustworthy or not.

 

[DaveSanDiego]

Please enlighten me...
Other than an Enterprise account (which does not apply for external applications).... How does what you describe happen?
The only sanctioned method for a consumer level install of an application for iOS is via the App Store (regardless if free or paid)

I will concede that perhaps if a "subscription" is involved that the developer might have more information, but still cannot load the app to a consumer outside of the store.

 

[planteater]

Please enlighten me...
Other than an Enterprise account (which does not apply for external applications).... How does what you describe happen?
The only sanctioned method for a consumer level install of an application for iOS is via the App Store (regardless if free or paid)

I will concede that perhaps if a "subscription" is involved that the developer might have more information, but still cannot load the app to a consumer outside of the store.

Many apps on startup or some regular interval check for valid license. The call is done to the app developers server even if purchased from the App Store.

 

[DaveSanDiego]

My point is you cannot install the app legally/safely outside of the APP STORE..

with the exception of an ENTERPRISE Account, or via Xcode onto your own device


And I think Apple might take exception to apps that "phone home" as a potential security breach.


Again... we are talking ONLY iOS apps.... most none of this applies to macOS

 

[planteater]

My point is you cannot install the app legally/safely outside of the APP STORE..

with the exception of an ENTERPRISE Account, or via Xcode onto your own device


And I think Apple might take exception to apps that "phone home" as a potential security breach.


Again... we are talking ONLY iOS apps.... most none of this applies to macOS

He is getting the app from the App Store. The license code directly from the developer.

 

[nicho]

My point is you cannot install the app legally/safely outside of the APP STORE..

with the exception of an ENTERPRISE Account, or via Xcode onto your own device


And I think Apple might take exception to apps that "phone home" as a potential security breach.


Again... we are talking ONLY iOS apps.... most none of this applies to macOS

You’re applying the wrong ideas to iOS apps.

OP already has the app in question. He’s sidestepping in-app purchases for “VIP” extra features rather than downloading another app.

The app “infuse” has used a combination of in app purchases and other means to unlock premium/pro/Vip features for years - though rather than being from a central database, it syncs the information via Trakt - to get around family sharing of in app purchases.

 

[vish26]

He is getting the app from the App Store. The license code directly from the developer.

Yes that's exactly correct.

Why would the developer make this special offer just to you?

Because I asked him for that and insisted ! And I got it 😉

But using the official system, if he did wipe a customer from the server they can go to Apple, who has the receipt showing this person paid this developer for this functionality. Then you at least have Apple's weight behind you.

Going backdoor, the dev could delete him off the server, then what? Go to Apple and say you have a Paypal receipt to this guy? That transaction has no proven connection to the app as far as Apple is concerned.

Yes that is the only big risk here. Which I have to take judgement call on.

I’m curious why you think it is sketchy?

• The code(app) is official.
• All licenses are stored on developers server, which is very typical.
• The developer wants to pass a deal on and is willing to work with the customer.
  Nobody has produced evidence that this is against Apples terms. (I could be wrong, just saying no evidence in this thread).
• Customer is likely happy and passes a recommendation on.

Briliant. Well said ! That is well interpreted and that is exactly what the developer intends. Man you could be a spokesperson for him without him coming in picture. lol !

So I'm assuming this app is free to download, but with an in app purchase to unlock the full functionality? My guess is the app has some logic in it to check with the server to see if you are on the approved list of people who have paid up, whether through the official in app purchase or by paying directly and getting added manually to the list. This way he can sorta backdoor the system, but at the same time he can basically pull the rug out from you at anytime and you're SOL without any official record that you paid.

Yes. Correct.

 

[vish26]

So Guys I took the leap of faith and purchased the APP Offline and It struck Gold. I did the right decision. I have now got a life time Subscription to an APP which I would almost love using, all my life !! What a decision ! 👏

 

[0128672]

Congratulations! So what is this amazing app?

 

[vish26]

Congratulations! So what is this amazing app?

🤫

 

[Ungibbed]

Must be for iPad Photoshop... 🤔

This is just too risky but why ask us? Live and learn they say.