Submitting our first app - what constitutes a "reader" app for Guideline 3.1.3(a)? Required to use IAP.

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Created Mar ’22

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Hi, we are creating our first app (probably only app). We are a 501c3 non profit who run a website providing education classes for customers working with non profit agencies. Currently the customer pays a fee to gain access to the online curriculum. Normally they take one course and we never see them again.
We wanted them to be able to register on the website, and if they preferred download the app from the store and sign in. I think that is fine.

We didn't originally want to include a registration option but it appears that Apple does not allow that, saying we are required to allow registration and offer IAP because of digital content. Once the customer pays for our course on the website, we have no additional charges they pay on either the website or the app, so there are no additional purchase to be made. Can I not bypass IAP?

It seems this is basically what Netflix does with it's streaming service.

I feel like I might have entered something wrong when creating our account or something that is causing this to happen, but I'm not sure. When we got our initial rejection from Apple about needing to require aregistration option and IAP, I asked why, but was only referred to the guidelines and couldn't get any more information, nor find any ability to call and discuss with someone.

I'm not trying to bypass it with willful intent, but we are a non profit and I would like to avoid fees that I don't have to pay. I would not expect us to do much volume through app registrations and payments.

Any advice?

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Answer 1

MobileTen OP

Mar ’22

Rules are rules, selling products or services via your app IAP is needed if said content is available via the app. Netflix sells memberships not movies.

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Answer 2

maberryman OP

Jun ’22

Thanks for the reply. I would like clarity on "selling products or services" via your app". I guess that is where I am somewhat confused. We don't sell additional products via our app. Once the customer registers on our website, we want them to be able to download the app and take our content on the app if that is what they would prefer, we aren't selling them additional products via the app. So in that sense, our is like a membership I think. They purchase access to our content and once they are done with it, we never see them again. Essentially we would just like the customer to have an option to "sign in" instead of register via the app itself.

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