Not account-based features? Multi-platform app

If we don't do that, how can we use the same subscription on all platforms?

I fear for you that it is not really Apple concern for iOS apps.

Why having access to premium content on all platforms using the subscription made on a single platform is not considered account-based feature?

Because it is not iCloud account…

>.....subscription to access premium content..... before paying the subscription we ask the user to register or log in

So you are writing that the user can do stuff in your app before logging in - correct? And that the user needs to log in only when they want to access premium content.

If so, appeal pointing out that the user needs to log in ONLY to access premium content purchase under their account either through IAP or through a different method.

But then you have another problem - are you directing user's to purchase their premium content in violation of the IAP rules of section 3?

I fear for you that it is not really Apple concern for iOS apps.

I don't belive that Apple thinks this way. In this situation there is no app that really needs an account (except for social media apps maybe). And what we do is not something new, Spotify asks for an account and doesn't even offer a skip option. I know we are not Spotify, but I don't think the rules should be different for big and small companies.

So you are writing that the user can do stuff in your app before logging in - correct?

Yes, the user can navigate inside the app without an account and even access free content. The reviewer knows this, the rejection contains a screenshot with the subscription screen asking for account. That screen shows up only when the user tries to access premium content.

If so, appeal pointing out that the user needs to log in ONLY to access premium content purchase under their account either through IAP or through a different method.

We did that and we got a vague response:

"Thank you for your response. However, your app requires users to register or log in to access features that are not account-based.

To resolve this issue, please revise your app to let users freely access your app’s non account-based features."

But then you have another problem - are you directing user's to purchase their premium content in violation of the IAP rules of section 3?

I know about this and even if the user can subscribe on our website too, we don't mention this (we don't violate any IAP rule). There are many apps in AppStore doing what we do, one example is Spotify, and they do more than we do: asks for login without the possibility to skip it and for premium functionalities they tell the user to go to another platform to subscribe (no in-app purchases)

>your app requires users to register or log in to access features that are not account-based.

If a user purchases premium content why do they need to log into their account on your website - what exactly will they do after logging in and why do you require that logging in?

And if a user does not purchase premium content what can they do after logging into their account?

>If we don't do that, how can we use the same subscription on all platforms?

The user would not be allowed to use the subscription on all platforms unless they logged in - but if a user does not want to use the subscription on another platform why are you requiring that they log in?

We have the app approved!

We explained once again why we need an account for premium users as clearly as possible.

We also added examples of other apps that offers the same content type and the same functionalities, all of them forcing the user to log in / register (they don't even have the skip option as we do - added after the reviewer asked us to add).