Skip to main content
Question

App Review Rejection guideline 3.1.2, ongoing value.


Forum|alt.badge.img+2

Hello, I’ve received feedback from the App Review team for my app, indicating that the auto-renewing subscription violates guideline 3.1.2 due to inappropriate use of the service. They noted that such subscriptions should provide dynamic, ongoing value over an extended period and requested a revision or removal.

My app offers cloud backup for user app data and cross-device sync via Apple Sign-In and Google Sign-In, with unlimited uploads and downloads. Additionally, we limit free users and provide premium features like more stylish cosmetics to paid users and more upcoming. Despite my previous response, the feedback remains unchanged.

I’d like to ask: Does a simple cloud backup for user app data suffice to meet the ongoing value requirement of 3.1.2?

I also suspect that providing clear instructions for reviewers to test this cloud feature—such as screenshots and a step-by-step guide—might help clarify its value.

I zeroed in on the cloud aspect based on reading that it should be sufficient for subscription model. Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Jack

4 replies

Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • Helper
  • 1 reply
  • July 15, 2025

Same


Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • RevenueCat Staff
  • 619 replies
  • July 21, 2025

Hi ​@jack-hsu-1f58ec ​@persa could you both please share with me the full rejection message from Apple so I can see the full reasoning for the rejections? Their 3.1.2 guideline here contains a lot of clauses that the rejection could relate to. For example, when they mention the subscriptions should provide value over an extended period of time is the subscription period at least seven days? This is a requirement for Apple’s auto-renewable subscriptions.


Forum|alt.badge.img+2
Haley Pace wrote:

Hi ​@jack-hsu-1f58ec ​@persa could you both please share with me the full rejection message from Apple so I can see the full reasoning for the rejections? Their 3.1.2 guideline here contains a lot of clauses that the rejection could relate to. For example, when they mention the subscriptions should provide value over an extended period of time is the subscription period at least seven days? This is a requirement for Apple’s auto-renewable subscriptions.

 

Hi ​@Haley Pace Thanks for reaching out. Here’s a thread of my back and fourth with App Review:
 

 

App Review2025-06-25 9:41 PM

Hello,

The issues we previously identified still need your attention.

If you have any questions, we are here to help. Reply to this message in App Store Connect and let us know.

Review Environment

Submission ID: dec14f5d-11a8-40c8-9bce-35f02b976c54
Review date: June 25, 2025
Version reviewed: 1.0

 

Guideline 2.1 - Performance - App Completeness


We are unable to complete the review of the app because one or more of the in-app purchase products have not been submitted for review.

Specifically, the app includes references to subscritpions but the associated in-app purchase products have not been submitted for review.

Next Steps

To resolve this issue, please be sure to take action and submit your in-app purchases and upload a new binary in App Store Connect so we can proceed with our review.

Note you must provide an App Review screenshot in App Store Connect in order to submit in-app purchases for review. Learn more about required in-app purchase metadata.

Resources

Learn more about how to offer in-app purchases in App Store Connect Developer Help.

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions


Your app still uses auto-renewing subscriptions, but it is not an appropriate use of the service. Specifically, the in-app purchase products only unlock features.

Auto-renewing subscriptions are only appropriate for services that provide dynamic, ongoing value to the user over an extended period of time.

Next Steps

To resolve this issue, please remove the inappropriate auto-renewing subscription from your app. It would be appropriate to submit new subscriptions that provide ongoing value to the user, or submit new in-app purchase products with a different product type.

To create new in-app purchases:

- Log in to App Store Connect
- Click on "My Apps"
- Select your app
- Click on "Features" to create new in-app purchases
- Click Save
- Once you've completed all changes, click the "Submit for Review" button at the top of the App Version Information page.

Support

- Reply to this message in your preferred language if you need assistance. If you need additional support, use the Contact Us module.
- Consult with fellow developers and Apple engineers on the Apple Developer Forums.
- Request an App Review Appointment at Meet with Apple to discuss your app's review. Appointments subject to availability during your local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Provide feedback on this message and your review experience by completing a short survey.

  • iOS App 1.0
  • App Version
Rejection Reasons:

2.1.0 Performance: App Completeness

3.1.2 Business: Payments - Subscriptions

 

 

App Review2025-07-08 5:50 AM


 

Review Environment

 

Submission ID: dec14f5d-11a8-40c8-9bce-35f02b976c54

Review date: July 07, 2025

Version reviewed: 1.0

 

Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions

 

Your app uses auto-renewing subscriptions, but it is not an appropriate use of the service.

 

Auto-renewing subscriptions are only appropriate for services that provide dynamic, ongoing value to the user over an extended period of time.

 

Next Steps

 

To resolve this issue, please remove the inappropriate auto-renewing subscription from your app. It would be appropriate to submit new subscriptions that provide ongoing value to the user, or submit new in-app purchase products with a different product type.

 

To create new in-app purchases:

 

- Log in to App Store Connect

- Click on "My Apps"

- Select your app

- Click on "Features" to create new in-app purchases

- Click Save

- Once you've completed all changes, click the "Submit for Review" button at the top of the App Version Information page.

 

Resources

 

More information on in-app purchase product types is available in App Store Connect Help.

 

Support

- Reply to this message in your preferred language if you need assistance. If you need additional support, use the Contact Us module.

- Consult with fellow developers and Apple engineers on the Apple Developer Forums.

- Request an App Review Appointment at Meet with Apple to discuss your app's review. Appointments subject to availability during your local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

- Provide feedback on this message and your review experience by completing a short survey.

  • iOS App 1.0
  • App Version
Rejection Reasons:

3.1.2 Business: Payments - Subscriptions

 

 

Jack Hsu2025-07-08 7:49 AM

Dear App Review Team, Thank you for reviewing Cardify. To address feedback regarding our subscription-based cloud backup service, we confirm it provides ongoing value per Guideline 3.1.2(a). The service enables paid users to securely back up and restore app data (e.g., preferences, photos) across all iOS devices. Users access the feature from the Settings page (top-right corner) after logging in via social, Google, or Apple Sign-In. A single button initiates upload/download of encrypted backups (AES-256). The auto-renewing subscription (minimum 7 days) unlocks unlimited storage, with data accessible across devices. Our privacy policy, linked in the app and App Store Connect, complies with Guideline 5.1. Steps to test: 1. Log in using any social, Google, or Apple Sign-In. 2. Go to Settings, tap the backup option (top-right). 3. Press “Upload Backup” or “Download Backup.” All in-app purchases are configured in App Store Connect and submitted with this binary. The backend is live for review. Best regards, Cardify Team

 

 

App Review2025-07-10 7:49 AM

Hello,

 

Thank you for your response.

 

After further review, our position remains unchanged from the original review findings.

 

3.1.2- Your app uses auto-renewing subscriptions, but it is not an appropriate use of the service.

 

Auto-renewing subscriptions are only appropriate for services that provide dynamic, ongoing value to the user over an extended period of time.

 

Please consider to remove or revise the issue.

 

We look forward to your resubmission.

 

Best regards,

 

App Review

------
 

I eventually caved and switched to a non-auto-renewing subscription. In the latest review, that specific rejection disappeared—just a minor issue this time.

I’d still really like to know if there was something fundamentally wrong with my original use of an auto-renewing subscription, which I thought was fairly standard. The setup was simple: the app has a free tier, and subscribing unlocks extra features—some cloud-based, some not. Since the cloud functionality does come with ongoing costs, a monthly sub felt reasonable to me.

Would love to hear if anyone has more insight into this. Also, sorry for the delayed reply—I’m in GMT+8.

Thanks,
Jack


Forum|alt.badge.img+2

Update:

For those who might be having similar issue as me. My review was successful after I basically ported all “auto-renewing” subs to “non-auto renewing” subs. That was the only thing blocking the review. I’m honestly still quite puzzled as to why my app couldn’t qualify for that, but not going to wait indefinitely for non-specific replies from the app reviewers. 🤷


Reply


Cookie policy

We use cookies to enhance and personalize your experience. If you accept you agree to our full cookie policy. Learn more about our cookies.

 
Cookie settings