Common rejection
Can I keep Stripe payments in my iPhone app?
By Huruy Kidanemariam, who shipped Beles and EBT Finder to the App Store. Updated .
The short answer
It depends on what you sell. Physical goods and real-world services can keep Stripe. Digital things used in the app, like subscriptions, premium features or credits, generally have to use Apple's in-app purchase. In the US, apps can now also link out to pay on the web, but the fee Apple may charge for that is still being decided in court.
Stripe is fine for
Physical products, food delivery, rides, bookings, in-person services, and live one-to-one services like tutoring or coaching. Anything used outside the app.
Apple expects in-app purchase for
Subscriptions, premium features, credits, and digital content used inside the app. RevenueCat makes this much easier to set up. Apple's cut is 15% if you earn under $1 million a year and join its free Small Business Program, and 30% otherwise.
If you already have paying users
Moving them over takes care: people who paid on the web should keep their access in the app. That means your app checks your own records of who has paid, not only Apple's.
One thing never to do
Don't hide the paywall from the reviewer and switch it on after approval. It's the quickest way to lose a developer account.
Questions
- Can US apps link out to a web checkout now?
- Yes, after the Epic v. Apple rulings. What Apple can charge on those purchases is still being decided in court as of October 2026, so check the current rules before you build around it.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. It's how Apple reviews apps today, from shipping them. The rules are moving, so check Apple's current guidelines for your case.
Apple calls this Guideline 3.1.1, In-App Purchase in the App Review Guidelines.