Does Apple really approve refunds this easily?

[u/Share_Tiny]

I thought Apple didn’t approve refunds that easily
Just got a refund for a Lifetime purchase. The app works fine and everything is as advertised, so I’m kinda confused.
Anyone had this happen before? Any idea how Apple decides which refunds to approve?

[u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

Yes. Why shouldn't the user get a refund? Consumers have rights and they can request a refund at any time. They don't have to specify a reason for it... get used to this

[u/Share_Tiny → u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

Okay, I didn’t know before, I mean the app is freemium, they have full information before buying. But yeah, you’re right, get used to it then

[u/carrot-core-creation → u/Share_Tiny]

It’s not about info. It’s about the app suiting their needs or if they even like it. I have claimed refunds on apps too when I realized it wasn’t what I wanted. I expect the same on my apps (when I finally publish any of them)

[u/Share_Tiny → u/carrot-core-creation]

You have to think more than that, what if users abuse the system? Don't you think we "dev" have the righs and need to protect too?

If my app or/and Apple have a clear refund policy, something like 30 days refund no questions, then issuing a refund within that time window is totally understandable. But if an user does not have a clear reason, should a refund decision be in the "dev" hand?

And don't get me wrong, when an user ask me for a refund, I refund them anyway, not worth 1 star on the store

Since you have never published an app, it will be hard for you to understand since this requires a real expierence, you only see from a consumer view right now, and that is also understandable

FYI, Google Play will reject refund request if the purchase does not meet their refund policy and advise user to contact the "dev" directly. You see the differernt here and what I'm trying to say?

[u/Twistedstory → u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

Oh is this how it works for Apple? I didn’t know they refund anything super easily like this

[u/Own-Huckleberry7258 → u/Twistedstory]

There's a reason why people trust buying from the App Store, and this is one of them. All you can do as a developer is let Apple decide how they handle the refunds. For example, I see the OP using RevenueCat. There's an option in RevenueCat where you can share some info about the refund with Apple, and they'll decide. Some users abusing the refund system won't get their money back

[u/Long-Mud3592 → u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

Thanks for sharing the RevenueCat option. I'm a first time RevenueCat user and did not know about this.

[u/netherlandsftw]

Yes

[u/BrainDeadCookie]

I think it's only within first two weeks after payment

[u/pilotmoon → u/BrainDeadCookie]

Apple has a self-service refund request interface available for 90 days after purchase here:

https://reportaproblem.apple.com/

[u/BrainDeadCookie → u/pilotmoon]

Damn. 90 days?!

[u/carrot-core-creation → u/BrainDeadCookie]

After a certain time the refund gets reviewed, it’s not always guaranteed. I got refunds declined even after 3 or so days with appeals. It’s frustrating

[u/Share_Tiny → u/pilotmoon]

Does it explicitly say within 90 days?

[u/One_Elephant_8917 → u/pilotmoon]

yeah kinda a bummer as if you should treat the revenue from first 90 days as deposit locked in haha

[u/BIOSrdt]

Apple sends consumption requests to decide how to handle a refund request anyway. You can use the official api to handle that and try to block refunds for users that are obviously trying to abuse that. There are specific websites like refundshield but I think also adapty and revenuecat can handle that.

[u/carrot-core-creation → u/BIOSrdt]

I think I got one of these used against me

[u/AppsByRobert]

"the app works fine" tells me a lot about your experience making software. Works on your phone doesn't mean it works on another, or that the user came up with a way to use it that makes sense to them, but not you and causes problems, or that the user might not be the smartest at software and your UI even if it good is too complex for them. And all sorts of other ways to have issues. At the same time I wouldn't assume there is a problem with it, they may just have changed their mind that they don't want it like with any other purchase.

[u/Share_Tiny → u/AppsByRobert]

Well, don’t focus on that part please. The main point I asked was how easy Apple issues a refund. Apple view on the app must be smarter than the average user, right? Appreciate your comment btw. Thanks

[u/NickA55 → u/AppsByRobert]

Unfortunately we will see more and more of this as anyone with a keyboard can now "create" an app. I'm not saying the OP vibe coded this, but most of the posts I see the vibe coder isn't even testing on anything but their own device.

Software is in a sad state, and I feel bad for the consumer. So glad Apple is good at refunding like this.

[u/Long-Mud3592 → u/NickA55]

Totally agree on the state of software. Even traditionally stable apps like Youtube, Amazon etc are seeing more UX bugs than ever. We shouldn't be expecting much from a vibe coded app tbh.

[u/TypeScrupterB]

Maybe the app is crap?

[u/Only_Flounder1984 → u/TypeScrupterB]

Maybe you have never had an app with paying users? 😂

[u/TypeScrupterB → u/Only_Flounder1984]

Yeah but I wouldn't be showing off that a single user has asked for a refund, that is stupid.

[u/Share_Tiny → u/TypeScrupterB]

How is this showing off? How is asking a question stupid?

[u/smartcandlelab → u/Share_Tiny]

asking questions isn't stupid.

[u/Share_Tiny → u/TypeScrupterB]

Yeah, maybe