Forced to Add Billing API

Retired Boards Appdev Billing
1

Hi,

We’ve tried submitting an App to the App Store and it always got rejected because we did not add the Billing API. We don’t want to charge for our App because it’s just a simple App.

It was rejected because whoever reviewed it seems to think we’re charging our users through our app to use our service, but actually, our users make purchases before they need to use the app.

To add the Billing API means we’ll have to charge the minimum for the App and we don’t want to do that.

Can anyone give any advice on how to potentially get around this? Our App does not charge our Users within’ the App, purchases are made in our own portal. The Shopify App we’ve made allows our users to set-up notifications and receive SMS based on Order Status’. So adding a Billing API is completely pointless because purchases are made outside the App.

Any help is appreciated.

2

What are they purchasing within your own portal? It sounds like instead you could implement the usage charges with the Billing API. This way you won’t need to charge them when they install the app, only when they purchase whatever is in your portal.

Shopify is pretty strict about their Billing API requirements. If there are any charges accrued while using your app then it needs to be handled by the Billing API. If your app falls under a special circumstance however, you can request a Billing API exemption.

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3

Hi,

Through our website, customer purchase “credits” which is what is used to send text messages through our platform.

1 credit = 1 SMS

This is only done through our website, nowhere else.

The App we built utilizes these credits they bought when an Order Status has been updated and it sends an SMS, which uses a “credit”.

So no actual purchases are made through the app – the purchases have already been made before using/installing the App.

Does that make sense?

Thanks

4

Yep that makes sense. What happens when they need to purchase more credits?

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5

When they need more credits, they log in to our website and purchase them through a checkout process.

6

That process you mentioned would need to involve the Shopify Billing API at least in order to be listed on the App Store. So if they were to purchase more credits, they would be redirected back to Shopify to confirm charges. Unfortunately Shopify is very strict about this unless you have a billing exemption approved.

7

Yes, I have noticed!

Redirecting to Shopify isn’t acceptable, as it does not make sense in our platform.

The only option at this point is we charge to use the app ??‍♂️

8

Hi @chris-m ,

I am very much interested to know how you handled it ? Did you add any shopify billing API or used your own policy ?

9

How did you use the billing API. AS we too have the SMS app which got rejected because of not using Billing API?

10

@chris-m how absurd is that to force it on partners which use their own billing systems already. Like you we don’t charge for the Shopify app but for parts on our website’s platform which other parts and connections. In our case we Stripe. Forced to use their billing is monopolistic and likely illegal beyond the fact that it’s just out right nasty and one sighted. This is the same kind of practices that caused Apple and others problems with their app stores. Will partners need to have a case action law suit filled for Shopify to be forced to end this unacceptable practice!? I implore other partners to stand up against this kind of abuse of power!

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