Apple and Google Play both provide limited, region-specific ways for apps to direct customers to a publisher-owned website to purchase subscriptions or manage their accounts. These options are not universally available, and each has its own eligibility criteria, technical requirements and caveats.

On iOS, Apple provides the External Link account Entitlement (ELE) for eligible reader apps. On Android, Google Play uses separate programmes, including External Content Links for eligible apps serving users in the United States.

The sections below explain the available options and the work required to use them. The purchasing functionality available to a reader may vary depending on both their platform and region.

iOS

External Link Entitlement (ELE)

Apple provides the External Link account Entitlement for eligible “reader” apps. Reader apps are defined as apps that provide one or more of the following digital content types as their primary functionality:

• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Books
• Audio
• Music
• Video

We expect that most Pugpig apps would fulfil this criterion, but there are additional requirements, which are detailed in Apple’s official documentation. The most notable requirement is that an app using ELE may not offer in-app purchases.

An eligible app can use ELE to link to a publisher-owned website where users can create or manage an account and purchase a subscription. The website must be owned by the developer of the app.

This allows the publisher to manage the customer relationship and subscription journey through its own systems rather than through Apple’s in-app purchase system.

US iOS purchasing

The United States has a separate external purchasing flow for iOS and iPadOS apps.

For information about how Bolt supports this flow, see US App Store-only External Link purchasing for iOS.

This US flow is separate from ELE. The available buttons, user journey and implementation requirements may differ depending on the user’s App Store region.

For eligible iOS apps outside the US, ELE remains the relevant Apple option in many regions, subject to Apple’s requirements and approval.

iOS version requirements

All new and updated Pugpig Bolt apps support the ELE flow, and can be used by readers on all supported iOS versions.

User experience

From the user’s point of view, the Bolt paywall is displayed as usual. When the user taps the subscribe button, Apple displays its own entitlement modal.

Pugpig cannot change the appearance of this modal or the copy and information displayed on it.

The modal displays the developer name rather than the app name.

When the user taps the continue button, the URL specified by the publisher opens in Safari, or the device’s default browser. The user is therefore taken out of the app to complete the account creation or subscription process.

Because the subsequent process takes place in the browser, Bolt cannot determine whether the user has successfully subscribed. Unless the user was already signed in, they will normally need to sign in when they return to the app.

This behaviour is determined by Apple’s implementation of ELE and is outside Pugpig’s control.

Applying for ELE

To use ELE, you must first apply to Apple using the External Link Entitlement request form. 

Apple may ask for information including:

• The app name
• The app’s bundle ID
• The App Store listing URL
• Details about the app and its content

You can find the app name, bundle ID and store listing URL in App Store Connect.

The information requested by Apple may change over time, so use the current form and Apple’s current documentation as the source of truth.

Pugpig cannot apply for the entitlement on your behalf. The application must be submitted using your Apple Developer account. The form can only be accessed by the owner of your Apple Developer account.

Getting set up in Bolt

Once Apple has approved your app for the entitlement, raise a support ticket by emailing support@pugpig.com.

Pugpig will configure the app, test the implementation, provide a version for sign-off, and submit the update to the app store.

You would need to provide the URL that the subscribe button should open, such as the page on your website where users can create an account or purchase a subscription.

Pugpig would need to regenerate the provisioning profiles for the app with the entitlement included. If you do not want Pugpig to regenerate the profiles, please let us know with your request.