Your Apple Watch apps can help people achieve their personal fitness goals, monitor their health, access real-time information directly, and more. And with watchOS 6.2, you can further enhance your customer experience by offering in-app purchases and subscriptions directly to Apple Watch.
These interactions use the same Store Kit APIs available for iOS app development, which allow you to quickly apply them to your watchOS apps, and can be added to both free watchOS apps (which can be completely separated from the iOS app) and dependent watchOS apps. Requires iOS Companion app to work).
Let’s take a look at why and when you want to make purchases in your app, as well as some great practices that are implementing great flow for your customers.
When to submit in-app purchases and subscriptions
In-app purchases and subscriptions can make your Apple Watch apps even better by providing both additional content and purchase flexibility.
If you have a standalone app, people can already download it through the Watch App Store, and in-app purchases and subscriptions will be built on that freedom. Apps based on the accompanying iOS app can also be useful because these people are more empowered to buy more content without having to get an iPhone.
Think about what to offer when you decide to bring an in-app purchase or subscription flow to your app. Will this purchase or subscription open anything special for the Apple Watch? Fitness apps, for example, may offer additional exercises or allow your clients to sign up for a monthly program.
Once you decide to add an in-app purchase or subscription, think about when your app will show up. These questions are very helpful as your customers take the next step to open more functions in your app.
Best in-app shopping and subscription experience
Effective shopping streams on the Apple Watch are short and clear. Your message should be easy to scan, and your options should be easy to compete with on a small screen. Keeping things short and sweet can help people evaluate their choices, make informed decisions, and move on.
Make your choices clear
When submitting one-time purchases and subscriptions to each other, make sure each option is clearly defined. Adding text overview helps people differentiate between the two and make informed choices.
We recommend that you include the following information in your overview.
- What this purchase allows on your Apple Watch app
- Both one-time purchase and recurring subscriptions
Restore the past
Provide a way for people to restore their subscriptions or purchases when submitting subscriptions or in-app purchases. The same goes for the Apple Watch.
Don’t forget good print
Reading the terms and conditions of your subscription on Apple Watch may not seem like a fun way to spend time, but it is important for your customers to know exactly what they will get when they buy something in your app. Each time you include a purchase screen on your Apple Watch, you must include the option to read the Terms of Service.
Review App Store instructions
There are special requirements that you must include in your observation app before you can make in-app purchases and subscriptions available to your customers. See App Store instructions and resources for more information.
Resources
See “Creating independent watchOS apps.”
Learn more about self-renewed subscriptions
Learn more about in-app purchases