When you're browsing the app store, you may have noticed the message “In-app purchases” next to the “Get” button for free apps or the app price button for paid apps. This message indicates that users will have the opportunity to pay for additional features, content, or services within an application. In-app purchases are a way for developers to offer their apps for free while still making a profit. In-app purchases refer to the purchase of goods and services from an application on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
They can take the form of an e-book, the ability to play without seeing ads, and more. Users don't make any payments during the download and installation process. After the trial period, depending on the applications, they pay an annual or monthly subscription or make a one-time payment. In-app purchases are mandatory when you charge for something used in the app, such as a subscription, an e-book, a game update, or exclusive content for premium members.
If you're selling physical products, such as t-shirts, you don't need to use in-app purchases. Apple has changed the way it used to label free apps so that users can easily identify if an app is free or not. If you're looking for an app in the iOS or Mac stores, you'll see that even if people download an app for free, it's likely that it could cost them something through in-app purchases. In-app purchases are also used in mobile web applications that rely on HTML being provided in a browser, with the requirement that the browser be rooted within the application.
If you have a membership site that has free levels and paid levels, you must use it for in-app purchases. As you've learned about the types of apps from the perspective of installation and payments, let us find out how you know if an app is free in the app store.
