How do you add in-app purchases to your mobile app?

1 Choose your in-app purchase types

The first step is to decide what kind of in-app purchases you want to offer in your app. There are different types of in-app purchases, such as consumable, non-consumable, subscription, and auto-renewable subscription. Each type has its own benefits, limitations, and pricing models. For example, consumable in-app purchases are items that can be used once and then depleted, such as coins, gems, or lives. Non-consumable in-app purchases are items that can be purchased once and used forever, such as premium features, ad removal, or extra levels. Subscription in-app purchases are recurring payments that grant access to a service or content for a fixed period of time, such as monthly or yearly. Auto-renewable subscription in-app purchases are similar to subscription in-app purchases, but they automatically renew unless the user cancels them. You should choose the types of in-app purchases that best suit your app's functionality and business goals.

2 Set up your in-app purchase products

The next step is to create and configure your in-app purchase products in your app store account. For iOS apps, you need to use App Store Connect to create your in-app purchase products and assign them to your app. You also need to provide information such as product ID, display name, description, price, and availability. For Android apps, you need to use Google Play Console to create your in-app purchase products and link them to your app. You also need to provide information such as product ID, title, description, price, and type. You should follow the guidelines and best practices of each app store to ensure your in-app purchase products meet their standards and policies.

3 Integrate your in-app purchase code

The third step is to write and integrate your in-app purchase code in your app. For iOS apps, you need to use StoreKit framework to handle the in-app purchase transactions and interactions. You also need to implement methods to fetch, display, request, and verify your in-app purchase products. For Android apps, you need to use Google Play Billing library to manage the in-app purchase transactions and interactions. You also need to implement methods to query, display, launch, and acknowledge your in-app purchase products. You should test your in-app purchase code thoroughly and handle any possible errors or exceptions.

4 Test your in-app purchase functionality

The final step is to test your in-app purchase functionality and ensure it works as expected. For iOS apps, you need to use TestFlight to distribute your app to testers and use sandbox accounts to simulate the in-app purchase transactions. You also need to check the receipt validation and restore purchases features. For Android apps, you need to use internal test tracks to distribute your app to testers and use test accounts to perform the in-app purchase transactions. You also need to check the purchase token verification and subscription management features. You should collect feedback from your testers and fix any issues or bugs before releasing your app to the public.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?