Popup Alert to Promote Paid Version - Allow?

raymng · 04-23-2009, 01:34 AM

Hi,

I want to popup an alert message to promote my Paid version when the free version startup. Does Apple allow this action?

Thanks.

raymng · 04-23-2009, 10:52 PM

Anybody knows??

Intruder_qc · 04-24-2009, 07:43 AM

If you read the iPhone guidelines this seems something you arent supposed to do...

Here is the snippet from the iPhone Hunan Interface Guideline.

http://developer.apple.com/iPhone/li...006556-CH4-SW7

http://developer.apple.com/iPhone/li...06556-CH14-SW5

So IMHO you should avoid this, as you might get your application rejected in the review process. Especially if you are using an Alert box, since its suppose to be used for alerting the user of serious errors.

You should definately read the iPhone HIG.

Fred

EeKay · 04-24-2009, 07:52 AM

The alerts aren't just for errors.. They're commonly used for presenting the user a choice as well. I know developers use in program buttons for people to upgrade to a payed version so perhaps that is safer then "spamming a user" with an alert..

I wouldn't like an alert especially with apps that are used in inbetween secs during the day. Hope this helps

Naughty_Ottsel · 04-24-2009, 08:16 AM

I put one in my free app right at the beginning and it wasn't allowed, but I am not sure about using it after a few times of use or after an action has happened. e.g. in my app the user can play a game against the clock then when the time runs out an alert pops up but I haven't submitted that yet.

raymng · 04-25-2009, 12:04 AM

But I saw many apps showing popup alert upon it launches...
I think they are tricking the Apple system somehow...

Intruder_qc · 04-25-2009, 07:26 AM

Or the reviewer has let it pas...

Remember all the review are done by different people, and even though they are suppose to follow guideline every reviewer will have their own interpretation of them. Which explain that sometime some app passed while others get rejected with the exact same features.

Fred

kierster · 04-25-2009, 10:22 AM

In my app, whenever a game is completed it pops up saying to buy the full version for all difficulties of the game, this WAS allowed.

The part that was rejected was when on my difficulty select page, I had the buttons available for medium, hard and expert, but when the user clicked them it said "sorry, buy the full version for this!"

the email i received said that showing the user features that weren't there was against regulations. So it's definitely touchy and depends on the reviewer

vbovio · 04-25-2009, 12:30 PM

According to the guidelines, alerts are not meant for that, I would put those "buy full version" messages in different places of the app. I would only use the alert maybe when the user is going to reset game saved data "Are you Sure?" kind of.
You could try it anyway, and you may have luck like others have said, who knows.. the worst thing that can happen is get rejected and you end having that somewhere else.

raymng · 04-26-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intruder_qc

Or the reviewer has let it pas...

Remember all the review are done by different people, and even though they are suppose to follow guideline every reviewer will have their own interpretation of them. Which explain that sometime some app passed while others get rejected with the exact same features.

Fred

I did see some very annoying popup message, so I don't think the reviewer would let it pass if Apple doesn't allow that. So I think the developer did play some tricks...