Glossary · Offers and trials
What is a promotional offer?
Promotional offer
A promotional offer is an App Store discount or free period for people who already subscribe or used to. You decide who qualifies. Your server signs each redemption with your in-app purchase key, and your app passes the signed offer to StoreKit. Redeeming an introductory offer does not affect a customer's eligibility for a promotional offer.
Apple treats every customer with an existing or expired subscription in your app as eligible, and you add your own rules on top, such as a cancel reason or the length of their subscription. A useful trigger is the DID_CHANGE_RENEWAL_STATUS notification, which tells you the moment a customer turns off auto-renew. When an active subscriber redeems one, your server receives OFFER_REDEEMED. Customers can redeem promotional offers on iOS 12.2, macOS 10.14.4 and tvOS 12.2 or later.
The signature is what makes it a server feature. Your server generates a signature from set parameters and your private key, and your app includes it with the purchase request. Without a valid signature the offer is refused, so the app cannot invent a discount.
Google Play has no separate type. You build the same idea with a developer-determined offer and check eligibility in your app. RevenueDot already signs promotional offers with the app's In-App Purchase key for its Customer Center retention offers, records promotional as the offer type, and sends the offer identifier as offer_code in webhooks.
Sources: Apple: Implementing promotional offers in your app · Apple: Auto-renewable subscriptions · Apple: notificationType
FAQ
Promotional offer: questions people ask
What is the difference between a promotional offer and an introductory offer?
An introductory offer is for people who have never subscribed, and Apple checks eligibility. A promotional offer is for current or lapsed subscribers, and you decide who qualifies and sign each redemption on your server.
Does a promotional offer need a server?
Yes. Your server must create the signature with your private key. The app cannot do it safely.
Is a win-back offer the same thing?
No. A win-back offer is a separate type for lapsed subscribers. Apple checks its eligibility in App Store Connect, and it needs no signature from your server.
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