As noted by the folks over at MacRumors, Apple’s revised App Store Review Guidelines will soon enable iOS users to gift in-app content to friends and family. Currently, only paid apps can be sent as gifts to other iOS users and there is no way to purchase in-app content as a gift. However, Apple is now going to allow in-app purchase gifting as well.
The new in-app purchase gifting rule outlined in Apple’s updated App Store Review Guidelines allows the developers to implement a new feature that will let iPhone and iPad users purchase in-app content as a gift. While it’s not yet clear how this will work, it is possible that Apple will add some new in-app purchase gifting options to its App Store interface.
Here’s the updated gifting rule as detailed by Apple:
Before the change: “Apps should not directly or indirectly enable gifting of in-app purchase content, features, or consumable items to others.”
After the change: “Apps may enable gifting of items that are eligible for in-app purchase to others. Such gifts may only be refunded to the original purchaser and may not be exchanged.”
Developers are likely to receive more information about the in-app purchase gifting change from Apple in the coming days. In the meantime, you can review the updated App Store rules here.
