TestFlight App uses wrong sandbox account for payment

I also noticed strange behaviour with sandbox env regarding payment and subscriptions at all... Available products request (SKProductsRequest) firstly returns products and then causes stuck of app store and test flight app downloading (even installed apps shows as not installed yet). Also it stops returning subscriptions products at all. Device should be rebooted to be returned in normal state.

Please, somebody can clarify what is going on? @apple

TestFlight does not use Sandbox Apple ID’s created in App Store Connect, those are only used for apps locally distributed/signed. While TestFlight effectively uses sandbox behind the scenes, it just uses your regular Apple ID. Your production Apple ID is not charged nor will you see these transactions in your purchase history, invoices, etc. - prod and TestFlight are fully independent.

As for your other issue, I’m not entirely clear but if you can provide more info such as steps to reproduce, screenshots and a sysdiagnose then please file a ticket at: FeedbackAssistant.Apple.com

welcome to followup with a FB# here in this thread.

@apple Since TestFlight purchase uses regular Apple ID, is it possible to clear purchase history for that specific Apple ID in TestFlight Sandbox?

I'm facing exact same problem. When making purchases on the TestFlight environment, it always makes purchases against my real Apple ID. But the doc says we can test on TestFlight using Sandbox. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/storekit/in-app_purchase/testing_at_all_stages_of_development_with_xcode_and_sandbox

I've been experiencing the same issue. I've created multiple sandbox testers. However, when performing a purchase, it's using the apple id instead of the sandbox login. If I log out from the "iTunes & App Store" with my apple id and use the sandbox tester email, I get the "iTunes account creation not allowed" error.

I would really like to know what it is we need to make sure our sandbox tester accounts are being used to test purchasing via TestFlight builds.

Facing the same issue. App ignores my sandbox account during test in-app purchases and use my real appleId.

Does anyone know how to switch accounts or is it possible to clear purchase history for that specific Apple ID in TestFlight Sandbox?

There is the following workaround I discovered: you need to open youe App Store app, tap on account icon, scroll to the bottom, tap "Sign out". Then you open your app, purchase a subscription, a form for entering Apple ID creds will appear. Fill it with your Sandbox creds, your sandbox acc will be used for purchase.

@Apple - are you going to solve this nightmare?

This is the solution:

1. Get the application via testflight, as a real tester account and install the app locally on the phone
2. In iphone settings, log out from the real app store id, and log in with the sandbox account (not a tester account).
3. Open the already-installed app, and pay. It will use the sandbox account.

Dear @apple please fix this stuff and return the possibility to make in-app purchases via Sandbox

for now, it's really uncomfortable for testers

There is a workaround:

1. Install the app being logged in under real Apple id
2. Create a sandbox email
3. Sign out from the real Apple ID
4. Sign in using Sandbox email instead of real apple id
5. Open the app ( you don't need to use TestFLight!). Just open as an app from the screen.
6. Pay from the app
7. Open Settings - App Store - Sandbox - Manage - see your subscriptions

(NOTE! to update the app to the newest version you'd need to log in back with real apple id, upload new version, repeat steps 3-7)

I can't understand why this bug has been around for over a year.. it really makes testing difficult :(

[@App Store Commerce Engineer](App Store Commerce Engineer) please help us

Hello @App Store Commerce Engineer

If we can't use a sandbox ID for the purchase TestFlight build then please give the option for a clear transaction from Tester Apple ID (TestFlight purchase transaction).

I think i understand how this is handled.

If you build and deploy the app in the device directly from a mac with Xcode then the payment api will take the sandbox tester you have on the client. If you get the app from TestFlight then the payment api will take the main account of the client.

Hope will help someone

Hello, PaoloGi

I'm also have this question that's why I searched and find this thread. It's seem not really answered what Ravi1207 asking. But Thanks, I got a good picture here.

If you build and deploy the app in the device directly from a mac with Xcode then the payment api will take the sandbox tester you have on the client.

--> Yes, this is clear. Developer can check the Transaction in Sandbox account.

If you get the app from TestFlight then the payment api will take the main account of the client.

--> Understand the behavior for TestFlight which will link the payment api to main account of the client. In this case, how to check the Transaction ? I check the main account subscription. It didn't show the TestFlight purchase transaction.

Anyone found a solution for this issues issue ?. non of above mentioned workarounds are not working for me. I tried with both ways as build the app using TestFlight and Xcode. Still transaction happening thorough the regular apple ID.

I also encountered the same issue. No matter which sandbox user I logged in with in the settings, the app downloaded from TestFlight always used my App Store Apple ID instead of the corresponding sandbox user.

My solution is:

1. Log out of the sandbox user in settings.
2. Download the app using TestFlight.
3. Log out of the Apple ID logged in through the App Store (this is the most crucial step).
4. Open the app and proceed to make an in-app purchase; at this point, the app will prompt you to log in. Use your sandbox user account to log in.

This method allows you to test in-app purchases with the sandbox user.

I hope Apple can fix this issue soon.