Chapter 11. Implementing In-App Purchases

In-App Purchase is an optional feature that developers can use to embed a store directly within an app. Sometimes, you may want to extend some features in your current game to keep your consumers interested in playing. Here's your chance, and possibly, more revenue in your pocket!

This chapter is only concerned with In-App Purchases in the Apple iTunes Store for the iOS platform. Android developers who want to implement In-App Purchases in their apps can refer to for reference. The set up for In-App Purchase is done in a similar fashion for iOS and Android. There are, however, some differences that need to be set up in your build.settings file and code.

Note

The application interface used here is frequently updated. However, you will be able to perform all the steps irrespective of the interface you're using.

We'll cover the following in this chapter:

• Consumable, nonconsumable, and subscription purchases
• Making transactions
• Restoring purchased items
• Initializing Corona's store module
• Creating and testing In-App Purchases on a device

Ready, set, go!

The wonders of In-App Purchase

The purpose of implementing In-App Purchase is to add an in-app payment functionality to collect payment for enhanced functionality or additional content usable in your game. The following are options of incorporating this feature:

• A game that offers new level packs to play outside the default content
• A freemium game that allows you to purchase virtual currency to create or build new assets during game play
• Adding additional characters or special power ups to enhance game elements

These are some examples that can be implemented with In-App Purchases.

In-App Purchases allow users to purchase additional content within an application. The App Store manages transaction information only. Developers cannot use the App Store to deliver content. So, either you bundle content with your app when you ship it (it will be unlocked on purchase), or you have to work out your own system to download the data, if you wish to deliver content.

Types of In-App Purchases

There are several In-App Purchase types that you can apply in your apps.

Note

You can find more information on In-App Purchases on the Apple website at https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/iTunesConnectInAppPurchase_Guide/Chapters/CreatingInAppPurchaseProducts.html.

• Consumable: These are products that must be purchased each time the user needs that item. They're typically one-time services, such as money in an app where you need to pay for supplies to build structures.
• Nonconsumable: These are products that only need to be purchased once by the user. These could be additional level packs in a game.
• Auto-renewing subscriptions: These are products that allow the user to purchase in-app content for a set duration of time. An example of an auto-renewable subscription would be a magazine or newspaper that takes advantage of the auto-renewing functionality built into iOS.
• Free subscriptions: These are used to put free subscription content in Newsstand. Once a user signs up for a free subscription, it will be available on all devices associated with that user's Apple ID. Note that free subscriptions do not expire and can only be offered in Newsstand-enabled apps.
• Non-renewing subscriptions: Similar to auto-renewable subscriptions, these are non-renewing subscriptions that require a user to renew each time the subscription is due to expire. Your app must contain code that recognizes when the expiration occurs. It must also prompt the user to purchase a new subscription. An auto-renewable subscription eliminates these steps.