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From apple's documentation it is possible to offer free trials to users, after which they will be auto-billed at the end of the trial

If you offer a free trial, it will begin when a user subscribes. They will be automatically charged when the free trial is over, unless they have turned off auto-renewal. If you choose to offer a free trial, a drop-down menu will be displayed that will allow you to select the free trial duration.

http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/iTunesConnect_Guide/13_ManagingIn-AppPurchases_Robert/ManagingIn-AppPurchases.html

Now i don't see this option available when i create a new auto-renewing subscription.

I see a screen like this as shown in docs enter image description here

Does someone know where to enable this or is it even possbile?

Or do i have to manually develop the feature by saving the free trial start date?

Hulk_SMASH
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  • I can't answer your question, but there is a some more tantalizing information in Table 12-5 of the URL you cite, where it lists a Free Trial as one of the available options, for regular In-App Purchases. – Julian May 28 '13 at 23:20

3 Answers3

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In iTunes, free trial auto-renewing subscriptions are only available for apps that are managed as newsstand applications. You can verify this if you create a new app and mark it as newsstand and then created an auto-renewing product.

Cheers!

Joel

user2175283
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    Hey, I think you may be confusing this with a "Free Subscription" which is only available to newstand applications. From apple doc "Free Subscription" is listed under types of in-app purchases: Free Subscription - Free subscriptions are a way for developers to put free subscription content in Newsstand. Once a user signs up for a free subscription, it will be available on all devices associated with the user’s Apple ID. Note that free subscriptions do not expire and can only be offered in Newsstand-enabled apps. – Hulk_SMASH Mar 18 '13 at 14:18
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For those who have faced with the same issue: Apple has updated their documentation and now it says (please note highlighted paragraph):

"If you offer a free trial, it will begin when a user subscribes. The user will be automatically charged when the free trial is over, unless the user has turned off auto-renewal. If you choose to offer a free trial, a drop-down menu will be displayed that will allow you to select the free trial duration.

You must have an existing issue to offer a free trial. If you have no issues added in the Manage Newsstand page, you will not see the option to add a free trial."

However, in my case it was enough to just enable Newsstand mode in Manage Newsstand section of my application.

Now I can see Free trial option on Duration and Pricing screen of my auto-renewable subscription.

Dmitry Borenko
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You forgot to make one option as YES. Set Offer a marketing opt-in incentive? to YES when you are adding Duration to your Auto Renewable Subscription. You'll have a another Option box for how many days your Incentive Duration. The duration periods may be

 - 7 days
 - 1 Month
 - 2 Months
 - 3 Months
 - 6 Months
 - 1 Year


Check out the screenshot
enter image description here

arthankamal
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  • The marketing incentive and duration is distinct from the free trial. Apple certainly hints that it is there, but I can't find it either. Check the help on the marketing opt-in: "As an incentive, customers will get a free subscription extension when they opt in to receive marketing. This extension is in addition to any free trial that you may choose to offer with the subscription." – Julian May 28 '13 at 23:03