# Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Misleading Auto-Renewable Subscription Pricing Presentation

**Guideline:** 3.1.2 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Risk:** low · **Difficulty:** easy · **Typical turnaround:** 2-8 hours

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/3/guideline-312-subscriptions-misleading-auto-renewable-subscription-pricing-presentation

## Description

Apple is flagging your subscription paywall for emphasizing the free trial more prominently than the actual subscription price that users will be charged. This is a common automated detection based on visual hierarchy analysis - Apple's systems scan for cases where free trial text is larger, bolder, or more visually prominent than the post-trial pricing. 

The root issue is typically font size, color contrast, or positioning that makes the trial offer appear more important than the recurring charge. This rejection protects users from accidentally subscribing without understanding the full cost structure. 

The fastest path to approval is adjusting your paywall's visual hierarchy to give equal or greater prominence to the subscription price while maintaining your conversion-optimized trial offer.

## Common variations

- The auto-renewable subscription promotes the free trial more clearly and conspicuously than the billed amount
- Subscription pricing information is not presented clearly relative to promotional pricing
- The purchase flow emphasizes introductory pricing over the standard subscription price
- Trial period promotion overshadows the recurring subscription cost information
- Auto-renewable subscription terms are presented in a misleading manner regarding pricing hierarchy

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions

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

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

Next Steps:

To resolve this issue, it would be appropriate to:

- Revise the auto-renewable subscription purchase flow to clearly indicate how long the free trial lasts and the amount that will be billed after the free trial is over.

Resources:

See design guidance for auto-renewable subscriptions in the Human Interface Guidelines, including how to create a positive onboarding experience.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment
- **Risk level:** Low
- **Resolution path:** Fix & Resubmit
- **Typical turnaround:** 24-48 hours

## The Fix

01. **Audit subscription paywall visual hierarchy**
   Compare font sizes, weights, colors, and positioning of trial text vs. subscription price text

02. **Ensure subscription price prominence**
   Make subscription price text at least equal size/weight to trial offer text, or use stronger color contrast

03. **Add clear trial duration and billing disclosure**
   Include explicit text like "Free for 7 days, then $9.99/month" in prominent, readable font

04. **Review purchase button text**
   Ensure button clearly states post-trial pricing (e.g., "Start Free Trial - Then $9.99/month")

05. **Test on multiple screen sizes**
   Verify pricing hierarchy is maintained across iPhone and iPad layouts

06. **Screenshot documentation**
   Capture updated paywall for potential reviewer clarification if needed

## Prevention
- Always make subscription pricing equally or more prominent than promotional pricing
- Use Apple's subscription disclosure best practices in HIG documentation
- Test paywall designs with App Store review team perspective in mind

## Before / after examples

**Before:** "FREE TRIAL" in 24pt bold text with subscription price "$9.99/month" in 12pt gray text below.
**After:** "7-Day Free Trial" in 18pt text with "$9.99/month after trial" in 18pt bold text.
**Why it works:** Both trial and pricing information now have equal visual weight and prominence.

**Before:** Purchase button reads "Start Free Trial" with pricing details hidden in small print.
**After:** Purchase button reads "Start Free Trial - Then $9.99/month" with clear pricing upfront.
**Why it works:** Users immediately understand the post-trial cost before committing to subscribe.

## Common questions

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

Typical turnaround is 2-8 hours (difficulty: easy). 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-misleading-auto-renewable-subscription-pricing-presentation*