Apple Ends In-App Purchase Promo Codes in App Store Connect Starting March 26
Apple announces that developers will no longer be able to create promotional codes for In-App Purchases in App Store Connect starting March 26, 2026 — impacting testing workflows, reviewer outreach, and promotional strategies for iOS and macOS developers.
Apple has announced that developers will no longer be able to create promotional codes for In-App Purchases in App Store Connect starting March 26, 2026. The change affects iOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS developers who use promo codes for testing, reviewer outreach, and promotional campaigns.
What's Changing
Currently, developers can generate promotional codes that grant free access to In-App Purchases — subscriptions, consumables, and non-consumables. These codes are used for a variety of purposes: sending review copies to journalists and influencers, providing test access to QA teams, offering promotional access to early adopters, and creating marketing campaigns. Starting March 26, this capability will be removed entirely from App Store Connect, with no replacement mechanism announced.
Impact on Developers
The change affects several common developer workflows. Testing teams that use promo codes to verify purchase flows will need to rely on Apple's sandbox testing environment exclusively. Marketing teams that distribute promo codes for promotional campaigns will need to find alternative approaches — potentially using custom redemption systems within their apps or offering time-limited free trials instead. App review outreach, where developers send promo codes to journalists and YouTubers, will require alternative distribution methods.
Community Response
The developer community response has been largely negative, with many characterizing the change as removing functionality without providing an adequate replacement. Apple's sandbox testing environment, while functional, requires testers to use special sandbox Apple IDs and does not perfectly replicate the production purchase experience. Developers on Apple's developer forums have requested that Apple either reverse the decision or provide an alternative mechanism that supports the use cases that promo codes currently serve. Apple has not publicly explained the motivation for the change.
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