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Question

Multiple iOS App Store rejection due to revenue cat "purchase failure: there was a problem with the apple store"

  • November 28, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 41 views
T
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 My app has been rejected multiple times during the last few weeks because Apple reviewer is unable to complete the purchase on paywall. They gave this error message:
 

Guideline 2.1 - Performance - App Completeness


We were still unable to purchase the subscription successfully.

Review device details:

- Device type: iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
- OS version: iPadOS 26.1

Next Steps

When validating receipts on your server, your server needs to be able to handle a production-signed app getting its receipts from Apple’s test environment. The recommended approach is for your production server to always validate receipts against the production App Store first. If validation fails with the error code "Sandbox receipt used in production," you should validate against the test environment instead.

Resources

- Note that in-app purchases do not need to have been previously approved to confirm they function correctly in review.
- Note that the Account Holder must accept the Paid Apps Agreement in the Business section of App Store Connect before paid in-app purchases will function.
- Learn how to set up and test in-app purchase products in the sandbox environment.
- Learn more about validating receipts with the App Store.

 

The offerings are fetched correctly but they are unable to complete the purchase. I tested on my physical iPhone with real account (not sandbox) and get the same exact error. I have provided screenshot of the paywall screen and my App Store Connect pages below.

I think issue might be because my subscriptions on App Store are not approved but I’m not sure. I heard you are supposed to submit them same time when you submit your build. I submitted both but Apple also rejected my subscriptions saying the images were duplicate. Now they say “developer action needed” First of all, it says the images are optional so why does it matter what they are? Second of all, what image am I supposed to provide there then? 

Guideline 2.3.2 - Performance - Accurate Metadata


We noticed that your promotional image to be displayed on the App Store does not sufficiently represent the associated promoted in-app purchase and/or win back offer. Specifically, we found the following issue with your promotional image:

– You submitted duplicate or identical promotional images for different promoted in-app purchase products and/or win back offers.

Next Steps

To resolve this issue, please revise your promotional image to ensure it is unique and accurately represents the associated promoted in-app purchase and/or win back offer.

If you have no future plans on promoting this in-app purchase product, you can delete the associated promotional image in App Store Connect.

Resources

- Learn how to view and edit in-app purchase information in App Store Connect.
- Discover more best practices for promoting your in-app purchases on the App Store.
 

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.

 

 

4 replies

T
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Ok I removed the promo images but weren't able to save or submit for review the subscriptions. Then I slightly changed the localization description and was able to submit for review. Now the subscriptions are all in “Waiting for review” state. How long it will take subscriptions to get reviewed? Are they gonna be reviewed separately by themselves or do I need to resubmit my app for review for them to review the subscriptions? If I do that then app will get rejected again until the subscriptions are approved. 

 

 

H
RevenueCat Staff
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  • Haley Pace
  • RevenueCat Staff
  • December 2, 2025

Hi ​@tawhid-khan-c9edda Apple requires that the first subscriptions you put in your app are sent together with your app for review. This means that they should always be in "Ready to Submit" while you are testing it and when you send your app build for review, attach the subscription products so they all get reviewed together. There's this section under the app build where you can include your in-app purchases:
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T
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Hey! Thanks for the clarification earlier.

I just wanted to confirm my current App Store Connect state so you can let me know if everything is in the correct configuration:

  • My app version is currently in Ready for Review (not yet resubmitted).

  • My three auto-renewable subscriptions are all in Waiting for Review.

  • The “In-App Purchases” section is not visible on the app version page.

  • I already submitted these IAPs together with the original app build before the rejection, so Apple has already linked them to this version.

From what I understand, the reason I don’t see the “Add In-App Purchase” section is because my subscriptions are already submitted and in the review queue, and Apple hides that section while the IAPs are under review.

I just want to confirm that:

  1. This is expected behavior,

  2. I don’t need to attach anything else,

  3. I should simply wait until the subscriptions move from “Waiting for Review” to “Approved / Ready for Sale,”

  4. And then resubmit the app so the reviewer can complete the purchase.

Let me know if that aligns with your understanding. Thanks!

H
RevenueCat Staff
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  • Haley Pace
  • RevenueCat Staff
  • December 4, 2025

Hi, you are correct in your understanding here. There is no need to take any action on your end as these products should now be associated with your app. You now need to wait to see if Apple either rejects or approves the products before resubmitting your app as the products must be in the “Ready to Submit” or “Approved” state in order for the reviewers to make purchases. I hope your app gets approved, if you run into any other troubles I’d be happy to help here.

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