How do I set up subscription billing software for a fitness app with App Store and Google Play billing rules?

To set up subscription billing for a fitness app on iOS and Android, you need to design around Apple App Store and Google Play rules first, then choose billing software that supports in-app subscriptions and server-side receipt validation.

1) Know the rules first

Apple App Store

If your app sells digital content/features/services used in the app (e.g. workout plans, premium classes, meditation audio, AI coaching), Apple generally requires In-App Purchase (IAP) subscriptions.

Key points:

• Must use Apple’s IAP for digital subscriptions sold in-app.
• No external payment links inside the iOS app for digital goods in most cases.
• Use StoreKit and validate receipts/server notifications.
• Support free trials, intro offers, promotional offers, cancellation, renewal, grace periods.

Google Play

For digital subscriptions sold in-app, Google Play requires Google Play Billing.

Key points:

• Use Google Play Billing Library.
• You can sell digital subscriptions in-app, but must use Play billing.
• Manage purchase tokens and subscription states server-side.
• Handle trials, upgrades/downgrades, pauses, grace periods, and account holds.

Important exception

If you sell physical goods or real-world services (e.g. in-person gym membership, personal training sessions booked offline), you can usually use your own payment processor like Stripe.
But for digital premium app content, use Apple/Google billing.

---

2) Choose a billing software approach

You have two common paths:

Option A: Use a subscription platform

Examples:

• RevenueCat
• Qonversion
• Glassfy
• Adapty

Pros:

• Faster setup
• Handles cross-platform entitlements
• Simplifies receipt validation, renewals, webhooks, analytics
• Good for small teams or fast launches

Cons:

• Extra vendor cost
• Less control than fully custom

Option B: Build your own billing backend

You integrate:

• Apple StoreKit / App Store Server API
• Google Play Billing + Google Play Developer API
• Backend webhook processing
• Entitlement management

Pros:

• More control
• Lower vendor dependency

Cons:

• More engineering and maintenance
• More edge cases to handle

For most fitness apps, RevenueCat or similar is the easiest and safest route.

---

3) Recommended architecture

Client app

• iOS: StoreKit 2
• Android: Google Play Billing Library
• App queries your backend or subscription platform for entitlement status

Backend

• Stores user account and subscription entitlement state
• Validates purchases with Apple/Google
• Processes renewal/cancellation webhooks
• Grants or revokes premium access
• Maps store customer to app user ID

Entitlements

Define clear access levels, for example:

• free
• premium_monthly
• premium_annual

Your app should check entitlements instead of relying only on local client state.

---

4) Implementation steps

Step 1: Define products

Create subscription products in both stores:

• Monthly plan
• Annual plan
• Trial offer
• Intro pricing if desired

Make sure product IDs match your internal naming convention.

Example:

• fitness_premium_monthly
• fitness_premium_annual

Step 2: Set up store accounts

• Apple Developer Program + App Store Connect
• Google Play Console

Configure:

• Tax and banking info
• Subscription groups / base plans
• Offer details
• Pricing and regional availability

Step 3: Integrate billing SDKs

iOS

• Use StoreKit 2 if possible
• Fetch products
• Start purchase flow
• Handle transaction updates
• Verify transactions

Android

• Use Google Play Billing Library
• Query product details
• Launch billing flow
• Acknowledge purchases
• Handle purchase updates

Step 4: Add server-side validation

Do not trust client-only purchase state.

Validate:

• Apple receipts or transaction data using App Store Server API / notifications
• Google purchase tokens using Play Developer API

Your backend should:

• Verify the subscription is active
• Update user entitlement
• Track renewal, cancellation, expiration, refund, chargeback

Step 5: Set up webhooks / server notifications

• Apple: App Store Server Notifications
• Google: Real-time Developer Notifications (RTDN) via Pub/Sub

These let your backend react quickly when a subscription changes.

Step 6: Build entitlement logic

When the app starts:

1. Authenticate the user
2. Ask backend for current entitlement
3. Unlock premium features if active
4. If not active, show paywall

Step 7: Handle restore and login

Users may subscribe on one device and use another.

You need:

• “Restore Purchases” flow
• User account linking across devices
• Matching store purchase to app user ID

Step 8: Test thoroughly

Use:

• Apple sandbox testing
• Google license testers / internal testing tracks

Test:

• Trial start
• Renewal
• Cancellation
• Expiration
• Billing retry / grace period
• Refunds
• Upgrade/downgrade
• Restore on new device

---

5) Subscription rules you should design for

Common paywall/compliance needs

• Clearly disclose price and renewal terms
• Show trial length and when billing begins
• Provide links to terms and privacy policy
• Explain cancellation method
• Avoid misleading “free” claims if it converts to paid

Cancellation

Users must be able to cancel through the store:

• Apple: Apple ID subscription settings
• Google Play: subscriptions in Play Store

Account deletion

If you allow account deletion, make sure you also follow store policy and privacy laws for data removal.

---

6) Suggested setup for a fitness app

If your app offers:

• workout plans
• premium videos
• AI coaching
• nutrition guidance inside the app

Then:

• Use Apple IAP subscriptions on iOS
• Use Google Play Billing on Android
• Use RevenueCat or similar to manage both
• Keep a backend entitlement service

If you also sell:

• in-person coaching
• physical products
• offline class memberships

You can use Stripe or another processor for those outside the app.

---

7) Practical recommendation

If you want the simplest production-ready path:

1. Create subscription products in App Store Connect and Google Play Console
2. Use RevenueCat to connect both platforms
3. Add user authentication in your app
4. Gate premium features through RevenueCat entitlements
5. Test sandbox flows on both platforms
6. Add legal pages: Terms, Privacy, subscription terms
7. Launch with monthly and annual plans first

---

8) Things that commonly go wrong

• Selling digital subscriptions with Stripe in the iOS/Android app
• Not acknowledging Google purchases
• Not validating purchases on the server
• Hard-coding entitlement based on client state only
• Missing restore-purchase flow
• Failing to show subscription terms clearly
• Not handling grace periods or expired subscriptions

---

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a step-by-step technical setup with RevenueCat,
2. a custom backend architecture, or
3. a store compliance checklist for fitness apps.