Hello,
We are an app developer offering subscription-based services, and we want to better understand how Apple determines the consumptionStatus when processing refund requests for in-app subscriptions.
Based on Apple’s documentation on subscription refund requests, we understand that the consumptionStatus value plays a key role in Apple’s refund decision-making process. However, the documentation does not provide a clear guideline on how much usage qualifies as consumptionStatus = 2 (partially used) vs. consumptionStatus = 3 (fully used).
Our key questions: 1. Usage Threshold: Does Apple have a specific percentage of subscription duration (e.g., 20% of the subscription period) that determines whether a subscription is considered “fully used”? 2. Function-Based Usage: Does Apple prioritize certain types of user actions (e.g., unlocking premium content, engaging with subscription features) when evaluating consumptionStatus? 3. Best Practices: Are there recommended best practices to increase the credibility of our consumptionStatus = 3 submission to minimize unjustified refunds? 4. Refund Preference Impact: If we set refundPreference = 2 (deny refund), how much influence does it actually have on Apple’s decision?
We aim to reduce unnecessary refunds while ensuring fairness to our users. Any official guidance or insights from other developers would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!