Guideline 3.1.2(c)

Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Business - Payments - Subscriptions: Unclear Auto-Renewable Subscription Terms

Low RiskEasyTypical Fix: 1-2 hours2 Reports

Also known as: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 subscription purchase screen does not clearly indicate the trial duration and billing amount that will be charged after the free trial.Auto-renewable subscription terms are not sufficiently clear about when billing begins and the amount that will be charged.The free trial offer lacks clear disclosure of the subscription price and billing frequency after the trial period ends.Users may be confused about subscription terms due to unclear presentation of trial duration and subsequent billing information.

Our Take

Apple is flagging your subscription purchase flow for not clearly communicating free trial terms and subsequent billing. This is typically an automated detection based on screen analysis during review, triggered when the trial period duration or post-trial pricing isn't prominently displayed in the purchase UI. The root cause is usually missing or insufficiently prominent disclosure text in your paywall or subscription screen. This is a straightforward compliance fix - Apple wants users to understand exactly what they're agreeing to before subscribing. The fastest path to approval is adding clear, prominent text that states both the trial duration and the exact amount that will be charged after the trial ends.

Resolution Guide

Add prominent trial disclosure text

Add clear text above or near your subscription buttons stating: "Free for [X days], then $[amount]/[period]" or "Start your free [X-day] trial. Cancel anytime. After trial, subscription automatically renews at $[amount]/[period] unless cancelled."

Make disclosure text visually prominent

Ensure the disclosure text is in readable font size (minimum 12pt), high contrast color, and not hidden behind small text or fine print. Place it where users will see it before tapping subscribe.

Include billing cycle information

Clearly state not just the price but the billing frequency (weekly, monthly, annually) and when the first charge occurs after the trial.

Test the user flow

Walk through your subscription flow as a new user to ensure the trial terms and billing information are unmistakably clear at the point of purchase decision.

Submit with detailed release notes

In your App Store Connect submission notes, briefly mention: "Updated subscription purchase flow to include clearer trial duration and billing disclosures per guideline 3.1.2(c)."

Prevention

Always include trial duration and post-trial billing amount in the same visual area as subscription options

Use Apple's standard subscription disclosure language as a baseline

Test subscription flows on actual devices to ensure text is readable and prominent

Example Rejection Email

From:Apple App Review Team

Subject:Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Business - Payments

Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Business - Payments - Subscriptions Issue Description 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 subscription purchase screen does not clearly indicate the trial duration and billing 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. - Ensure this information is prominently displayed and easily readable by users before they confirm their purchase.

Before & After

Before — Rejected

A subscription screen showing 'Start Free Trial' button with pricing information buried in small text at the bottom.

After — Approved

The same screen with clear text above the button: 'Free for 7 days, then $9.99/month. Cancel anytime.'

What changed: Makes trial duration and billing amount immediately visible to users before they subscribe.

Before — Rejected

Subscription options displayed without clear indication of when billing begins or trial length.

After — Approved

Each subscription option shows 'Free trial: 7 days, then $X/period' directly below the plan name.

What changed: Associates trial terms directly with each subscription tier for clarity.

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