Creating Trial Application

[canit210]

I'm developing a local application not meant for distribution through the App Store, as I only want specific users to be able to install the application. Because I am enrolled in the Enterprise Program all I have to do is email them the Mobile Provisioning file and .app file so they can install it.

However, ideally I would like the app to only be usable for a given time period after they run it for the first time on their device (almost like a movie rental from the iTunes store).

Is there a way to do this in code?
If not in code, is there to do this through the Provisioning Portal?

[smithdale87]

You can do this very simply through code using NSUserDefaults.

The first time the app launches, save an NSDate to NSUserDefaults
Each subsequent time the app launches, load the NSDate described above from NSUserDefaults. Check that difference in that date and the current date to determine if the trial period is up.

The only problem though is that the user would be able to delete and redownload your app and start a new trial period. To avoid this, you would need a server to save the start dates rather than using NSUserDefaults.

[canit210]

Originally Posted by smithdale87

You can do this very simply through code using NSUserDefaults.

The first time the app launches, save an NSDate to NSUserDefaults
Each subsequent time the app launches, load the NSDate described above from NSUserDefaults. Check that difference in that date and the current date to determine if the trial period is up.

The only problem though is that the user would be able to delete and redownload your app and start a new trial period. To avoid this, you would need a server to save the start dates rather than using NSUserDefaults.

Awesome!
Thanks for your reply. I'm going to try it out next week