App Store Reject

Guideline 3.1.2(c)

Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Subscriptions: Discounted Introductory Price Mislabeled as Trial

Low SeverityEasy FixTypical Fix: 1-3 days1 Report
Also known as:Guideline 3.1.2(c) - The app describes a paid introductory offer as a free trialYour subscription purchase flow uses the term 'trial' for an offer that is not freeApps may not label a discounted introductory price as a trial periodThe term 'free trial' was found in the app but the configured offer charges a fee during the introductory periodInaccurate subscription terminology: 'trial' used for a paid intro offer (Guideline 3.1.2(c), 5.6)

Our Take

Apple is flagging a semantic labeling issue in the subscription purchase flow: the word "trial" is being used to describe a Pay Up Front or Pay As You Go introductory offer that charges a user.


Apple is expressing that the word "trial" is reserved for offers where the user pays nothing during the introductory period. A discounted price, even $0.99 or 50% off, must be labeled as an "introductory price," "introductory offer," or similar — not "trial."


However, while Apple categorized this under guideline 3.1.2(c), Apple will also categorize this under 5.6, allowing them to broadly make a an interpretation of the rules for something that isn't defined in the guidelines, making it a good candidate to appeal depending on whether or not your intro offer is clearly labeled as paid in your app UI.


This is almost certainly a human reviewer catch, not automated. It requires reading the actual copy in the purchase flow and cross-referencing it against the configured price in App Store Connect. The good news is that this is a narrow rule with an unambiguous fix: it's a wording problem, not an architecture or business-model problem.


Root cause is typically one of two things: (1) copy was written generically ("Try free" or "Start your trial") before the specific offer type was finalized, and the pricing team later switched to a paid intro price without updating the UI strings, or (2) the developer intentionally used "trial" language to mislead users into thinking a paid introductory offer was free.


The fastest compliant path is a copy-only fix: replace every instance of "trial"/"free trial" in the purchase flow, paywall, confirmation screen, and any marketing text visible in-app with accurate language that matches the actual offer (e.g., "7 days for $1.99, then $9.99/month"). No pricing, entitlement, or subscription-group changes are needed - only string changes plus a re-review of all screens where the offer is mentioned, including push notifications and onboarding copy if applicable.

Resolution Guide

01

Audit every screen referencing the offer

Search the app (paywall, purchase confirmation, onboarding, push/email copy triggered in-app, App Store screenshots if applicable) for "trial," "free trial," "try free," or similar phrasing.

02

Confirm the actual offer type in App Store Connect

Check the subscription's introductory offer configuration to confirm whether it is Free Trial, Pay As You Go, or Pay Up Front. This determines the only accurate label you can use.

03

Replace mislabeled copy with accurate terminology

If the offer charges a price, replace "trial" language with explicit pricing, e.g., "7 days for $1.99, then $9.99/month." Never use "free" or "trial" unless the introductory price is $0.

04

Ensure price and duration are both stated clearly

Apple expects the price, duration, and recurring cost to all be visible near the purchase button — not just the corrected label.

05

Re-check localized versions

If the app is localized, verify the same mislabeling doesn't exist in other language strings — a common cause of repeat rejection.

06

Resubmit with a short reviewer note

In App Review notes, briefly state: "Introductory offer copy updated to accurately reflect the discounted (non-free) price per Guideline 3.1.2(c)."


Prevention

  • Treat "trial" as a reserved word: only use it when the introductory period costs $0.
  • Add a QA checklist item that cross-references App Store Connect subscription offer type against all in-app copy before each release.
  • Centralize subscription offer strings in one config/localization file so pricing team changes don't get out of sync with UI copy.

    • Example Rejection Email

    From:Apple App Review Team
    Subject:Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Subscriptions: Disc
    Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Business - Subscriptions Your app's binary or metadata describes an auto-renewable subscription introductory offer using the term "trial," but the offer configured in App Store Connect charges a discounted price rather than being free. Specifically, on the purchase screen, the app displays "Start your free trial" for an offer that charges $1.99 for the first 7 days. Apps may not describe a paid introductory offer as a "trial." The term "trial" or "free trial" may only be used when the introductory period costs the user $0. Next Steps: Please revise the app to accurately describe this offer as an introductory price (for example, "7 days for $1.99") rather than a trial. Review all screens, including the paywall, confirmation dialog, and any onboarding or marketing copy, to ensure consistent and accurate labeling throughout the purchase flow. Once the terminology has been corrected to match the actual offer type, please resubmit your app for review. For more information, please review Schedule 2, Section 3.8(b) of the Paid Applications Agreement and Guideline 3.1.2(c) of the App Store Review Guidelines.

    Consider Appealing

    This rejection is a strong candidate for appeal if you have already updated your paywall copy to remove "trial" language for paid introductory offers. In your appeal, emphasize the specific terminology changes made, show before/after screenshots of your purchase flow, and confirm that all localized versions have been corrected. Apple typically approves on the first resubmission when the fix is clear-cut.

    Generate Appeal

    Before & After

    Before — Rejected

    Paywall button reads "Start Your Free Trial" for an offer that charges $1.99 for the first 7 days.

    After — Approved

    Paywall button reads "Start for $1.99 — 7 Days" with recurring price shown below ("then $9.99/month").

    What changed: The label now accurately reflects that the introductory period is paid, not free.

    Before — Rejected

    Confirmation screen states "Your trial ends in 7 days" despite the user being charged immediately at a reduced rate.

    After — Approved

    Confirmation screen states "Your introductory pricing ends in 7 days, then renews at $9.99/month."

    What changed: Removing 'trial' terminology eliminates the implication that the period was free.

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