# Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Free Trial Transparency

**Guideline:** 3.1.2 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Severity:** medium · **Fix difficulty:** medium · **Typical turnaround:** 2-8 hours

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/3/guideline-312-subscriptions-free-trial-transparency

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because the subscription purchase flow does not clearly communicate that a payment will automatically begin after the free trial or introductory period ends. This is one of the most common 3.1.2 rejections.

The core issue is that users could reasonably not understand they will be charged when the trial expires. Apple wants the transition from free to paid to be unmistakable — not buried in fine print or overshadowed by promotional language about the trial itself.

This rejection often comes alongside the calculated pricing prominence rejection, since both relate to how subscription terms are visually presented in the purchase flow.

## Common variations

- Free trial does not make clear that payment will automatically begin
- Introductory period does not clearly indicate automatic billing
- Free trial promoted more clearly than the billed amount
- Introductory pricing promoted more conspicuously than subscription cost

## Example rejection email

```
One or more auto-renewable subscriptions are marketed in the purchase flow in a way that may mislead or confuse users about the subscription terms or pricing. Specifically:

- The app offers a free trial or introductory period but does not make it clear that a payment will be automatically initiated for the next subscription period.

- The auto-renewable subscription promotes the free trial, introductory pricing, or introductory period for the subscription more clearly and conspicuously than the billed amount.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment

Check your subscription paywall screen. Can a user clearly understand: (1) how long the trial lasts, (2) what they'll be charged after, and (3) that billing is automatic? If any answer is no, that's your fix.

## The Fix

1. Add explicit trial-to-paid language
Include text like "After your 7-day free trial, you will be automatically charged $9.99/month" directly on the purchase screen. Don't make users tap into terms to find this.

2. Make the billed amount the most prominent price
The actual subscription price (e.g., "$9.99/month") must be larger, bolder, and more visible than any "FREE" or "$0.00" trial callout.

3. De-emphasize trial promotion
Move trial language to a subordinate position. It can still be mentioned, but the billing amount must dominate the layout.

4. Use Apple's SubscriptionStoreView
Consider using Apple's native `SubscriptionStoreView` which handles compliant presentation automatically.

5. Check font, size, color, and position
Apple explicitly calls out these factors. The billed amount should be in a larger font, higher contrast color, and more prominent position than trial text.

## Prevention

- Use Apple's `SubscriptionStoreView` for the simplest compliant path
- If building a custom paywall, follow Apple's HIG for auto-renewable subscriptions
- A/B test paywalls cautiously — aggressive trial promotion is a rejection magnet

## Before / after examples

**Before:** Large banner: 'START YOUR FREE TRIAL' with small grey text underneath: '$9.99/mo after trial'
**After:** Primary text: '$9.99/month' in large bold font, with supporting text: 'Includes 7-day free trial — billing begins automatically after trial ends'
**Why it works:** The billed amount must be the most prominent pricing element. Trial information is supplementary, not the headline.

## Common questions

**How long does this typically take to fix?**

Typical turnaround is 2-8 hours (difficulty: medium). After resubmission, most re-reviews complete within 24-48 hours.

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*Machine-readable source: https://api.appstorereject.com/api/rejections/detail?slug=guideline-312-subscriptions-free-trial-transparency*