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iOS Setup

Setting up in-app purchases for iOS requires configuration in both Xcode and App Store Connect.

App Store Connect Configuration​

1. Create Your App Record​

  1. Sign in to App Store Connect
  2. Navigate to "My Apps"
  3. Create a new app or select your existing app
  4. Fill in the required app information

2. Create In-App Purchase Products​

  1. In your app's page, go to Features > In-App Purchases
  2. Click the + button to create a new product
  3. Choose your product type:
    • Consumable: Can be purchased multiple times (coins, lives, etc.)
    • Non-Consumable: One-time purchase (premium features)
    • Auto-Renewable Subscription: Recurring subscription
    • Non-Renewable Subscription: Time-limited subscription

3. Configure Product Details​

For each product, provide:

  • Product ID: Unique identifier (e.g., com.yourapp.premium)
  • Reference Name: Internal name for your team
  • Pricing: Select price tier or custom pricing
  • Display Name: Name shown to users
  • Description: Product description for users

4. Submit for Review​

  • Add product screenshot (1024x1024px)
  • Submit for review (first-time products need approval)

Xcode Configuration​

1. Enable In-App Purchase Capability​

  1. Open your project in Xcode
  2. Select your app target
  3. Go to Signing & Capabilities
  4. Click + Capability
  5. Add In-App Purchase

2. Configure Bundle Identifier​

Ensure your bundle identifier in Xcode matches the one in App Store Connect:

  1. Select your target
  2. Go to General tab
  3. Verify Bundle Identifier matches App Store Connect

3. Code Signing​

Make sure you have proper code signing set up:

  1. Go to Signing & Capabilities
  2. Select your development team
  3. Choose appropriate provisioning profile

Testing Setup​

1. Create Sandbox Test User​

  1. In App Store Connect, go to Users and Access
  2. Click Sandbox Testers
  3. Create a new sandbox test user with a unique email
  4. Important: Use a different email than your developer account

2. Configure Test Environment​

On your iOS device:

  1. Sign out of the App Store
  2. Go to Settings > App Store
  3. Sign out of your Apple ID
  4. Install your app via Xcode or TestFlight
  5. When prompted for App Store credentials, use your sandbox test user

Code Integration​

Basic Setup​

import {useIAP, ErrorCode} from 'expo-iap';

const productIds = [
  'com.yourapp.premium',
  'com.yourapp.coins_100',
  'com.yourapp.subscription_monthly',
];

function App() {
  const {connected, products, getProducts, requestPurchase, validateReceipt} =
    useIAP({
      onPurchaseSuccess: (purchase) => {
        console.log('Purchase successful:', purchase);
        // Handle successful purchase
        validatePurchase(purchase);
      },
      onPurchaseError: (error) => {
        console.error('Purchase failed:', error);
        // Handle purchase error
      },
    });

  React.useEffect(() => {
    if (connected) {
      getProducts(productIds);
    }
  }, [connected]);

  const validatePurchase = async (purchase) => {
    try {
      const result = await validateReceipt(purchase.transactionId);
      if (result.isValid) {
        // Grant user the purchased content
        console.log('Receipt is valid');
      }
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Validation failed:', error);
    }
  };

  return (
    <View>
      {products.map((product) => (
        <TouchableOpacity
          key={product.id}
          onPress={() => requestPurchase({request: {sku: product.id}})}
        >
          <Text>
            {product.title} - {product.displayPrice}
          </Text>
        </TouchableOpacity>
      ))}
    </View>
  );
}

💡 Cross-Platform Note: This example shows iOS-specific usage with sku. For cross-platform compatibility, include both sku and skus in your request object. See the Core Methods documentation for details.

iOS-Specific Features​

Receipt Validation​

const validateReceipt = async (productId: string) => {
  try {
    const result = await validateReceipt(productId);

    console.log('Receipt validation result:', {
      isValid: result.isValid,
      receiptData: result.receiptData,
      jwsRepresentation: result.jwsRepresentation, // iOS 15+
    });

    return result.isValid;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Receipt validation failed:', error);
    return false;
  }
};

Handling StoreKit Errors​

const handlePurchaseError = (error: any) => {
  switch (error.code) {
    case ErrorCode.E_USER_CANCELLED:
      // User cancelled - don't show error
      break;
    case ErrorCode.E_PAYMENT_NOT_ALLOWED:
      Alert.alert('Purchases are not allowed on this device');
      break;
    case ErrorCode.E_PAYMENT_INVALID:
      Alert.alert('Invalid payment information');
      break;
    default:
      Alert.alert('Purchase failed', error.message);
  }
};

Common Issues​

Product IDs Not Found​

Problem: Products return empty or undefined Solution:

  • Verify product IDs match exactly between code and App Store Connect
  • Ensure products are in "Ready to Submit" or "Approved" state
  • Check bundle identifier matches

Sandbox Testing Issues​

Problem: "Cannot connect to iTunes Store" error Solution:

  • Use a dedicated sandbox test user
  • Sign out of regular App Store account
  • Verify internet connection
  • Try on a real device (simulator may have issues)

Receipt Validation Failures​

Problem: Receipt validation returns invalid Solution:

  • Check if app is properly signed
  • Verify receipt data is not corrupted
  • Ensure proper error handling for network issues

Best Practices​

  1. Always validate receipts server-side for production apps
  2. Handle all error cases gracefully
  3. Test thoroughly with sandbox users
  4. Cache purchase state to handle app restarts
  5. Provide restore functionality for non-consumable products

Next Steps​