Setting Up In-App Purchases in MemberPress App

In-app purchases enable content monetization by offering paid memberships or access tiers directly inside the mobile application. This document, thus, explains how to enable in-app purchases, configure product settings, sync with app stores, and test transactions.

Understanding In-App Purchases

In-app purchases allow members to buy access to premium content through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Additionally, products can be configured as one-time purchases or recurring subscriptions. Moreover, integration with membership plugins controls content access based on purchase status.

Enabling In-App Purchases Component

In-app purchases must be activated before product configuration can begin.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > Components.
2. Toggle In-App Purchases to On.
3. Click Save Changes.

Configuring In-App Purchase Settings

Purchase settings control content access requirements and legal page links.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > Settings > In-App Purchases.
2. Check Require Purchase to block content until product purchase.
3. Select the Terms of Service page from the dropdown under Terms of Service.
4. Select the Privacy Policy page from the dropdown under Privacy Policy.
5. Scroll to the Products Screen section.
6. Enter a custom message in the Sales Message field.
7. Click Save Changes.

Adding Products Screen to App Menu

The Products Screen must be added to navigation for member access.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > Menus.
2. Locate Products under the MemberPress App section.
3. Click Add to Menu under either Tab Bar Menu or More Screen Menu.
4. Click the Save Menu.

Creating In-App Products

Products are created in WordPress and synced with app store products.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > In-App Purchases > Products.
2. Click Add New to create a product.
3. Input a Product Name matching the app store product name.
4. Enter an optional Tagline for a brief description.
5. Enter an optional Description for a detailed explanation.
6. Add Benefits as short bullet points.
7. Check Display on Products Screen to show the product.
8. Select Product Type as either Paid or Free.

Syncing Products with Apple App Store

iOS products must be synced with App Store Connect.

1. Check Enable under iOS Store in the product editor.
2. Click Sync with Apple to retrieve available products.
3. Select the corresponding product from the list.
4. Products must be at least “Ready to Submit” status in App Store Connect.

Syncing Products with Google Play Store

Android products must be synced with the Google Play Console.

1. Check Enable under Android Store in the product editor.
2. Click Sync with Google to retrieve available products.
3. Select the corresponding product from the list.
4. Products must be in an Active status in the Google Play Console.

Configuring Product Integration

Integration type determines which content unlocks after purchase.

1. Locate the Integration Type section in the product editor.
2. Select Membership from the integration options.
3. Choose the membership plan from the available options.
4. Click Publish to save the product configuration.

Product integration connects app store purchases to WordPress membership access.

Organizing Subscription Groups

Subscription groups organize related subscription products for proper tier management.

1. Create a Subscription Group in App Store Connect under Features > Subscriptions.
2. Copy the exact subscription group name.
3. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > In-App Purchases > Subscription Groups.
4. Click Add New Subscription Group.
5. Paste the subscription group name in the field.
6. Click Save to create the group.
7. Edit each related product in the Products section.
8. Assign the product to the subscription group you created.
9. Click Update Product to save the assignment.

Reordering Products

Product order controls display sequence on the Products Screen.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > In-App Purchases > Products.
2. Click and drag products to reorder them in the list.
3. Arrange products in the desired display order.
4. Release to set the new position.

Product order reflects immediately on the Products Screen and purchase modals.

Testing Purchases in Test App Builds

Test App builds simulate purchases without real payment processing.

1. Install the Test App on a mobile device.
2. Log in with a test user account.
3. Navigate to the Products Screen in the app.
4. Tap View on a product to initiate purchase.
5. Complete the simulated purchase flow.
6. Verify access to linked membership content.
7. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > In-App Purchases > Transactions.
8. Check for transaction entries marked with the Test App indicator.
9. Click Revoke next to test purchases to reset access.

Test App builds treat all products as free for testing purposes.

Testing Purchases in Release Builds

Release builds test purchases with real app store interfaces.

Testing iOS Purchases with TestFlight

1. Download the IPA file from Dashboard > MemberPress App > Build History.
2. Upload the IPA file to TestFlight in App Store Connect.
3. Invite testers using their Apple ID email addresses.
4. Testers install the app through TestFlight.
5. Testers complete purchase flows without actual charges.

TestFlight sandbox environment processes purchases without billing testers.

Testing Android Purchases with Internal Testing

1. Download the APK file from Dashboard > MemberPress App > Build History.
2. Upload the APK to the Google Play Console testing track.
3. Invite testers using their Google account email addresses.
4. Share the testing URL with invited testers.
5. Testers install the app and complete purchase flows.
6. Google Play testing environment processes purchases without charges.

Internal testing uses Google's billing system without actual payment processing.

Managing Transactions

Transaction management occurs through the Transactions interface.

1. Navigate to Dashboard > MemberPress App > In-App Purchases > Transactions.
2. Review all purchases from Test App and Release App builds.
3. Click Revoke next to each test purchase to revoke access safely.
4. Use Revoke on release purchases only when necessary.

Note: Revoking release purchases removes access but does not issue refunds. Consequently, refunds must be processed through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Console.