App Store Reject

Guideline 3.1.2

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

Low RiskEasyTypical Fix: 2-8 hours1 Report
Also known as:The auto-renewable subscription promotes the free trial more clearly and conspicuously than the billed amountSubscription pricing information is not presented clearly relative to promotional pricingThe purchase flow emphasizes introductory pricing over the standard subscription priceTrial period promotion overshadows the recurring subscription cost informationAuto-renewable subscription terms are presented in a misleading manner regarding pricing hierarchy

Our Take

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.

Resolution Guide

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

    • Example Rejection Email

    From:Apple App Review Team
    Subject:Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Misleading Auto-Renewable
    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.

    Before & After

    Before — Rejected

    "FREE TRIAL" in 24pt bold text with subscription price "$9.99/month" in 12pt gray text below.

    After — Approved

    "7-Day Free Trial" in 18pt text with "$9.99/month after trial" in 18pt bold text.

    What changed: Both trial and pricing information now have equal visual weight and prominence.

    Before — Rejected

    Purchase button reads "Start Free Trial" with pricing details hidden in small print.

    After — Approved

    Purchase button reads "Start Free Trial - Then $9.99/month" with clear pricing upfront.

    What changed: Users immediately understand the post-trial cost before committing to subscribe.

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