In-App Purchase
In-App Purchase
A system for buying extra features or items with real money after downloading an app.
In Simple Terms
An in-app purchase is a way to pay for extra features or special items inside an app you downloaded for free. It's commonly used for things like unlocking a new character in a game app, or removing ads and getting unlimited listening in a music app. Payment goes through the credit card or other payment method you've already registered with the app store.
Behind the Name
This is also commonly shortened to IAP. The name breaks down exactly as it sounds: "In-App" means inside the app, and "Purchase" means buying something. Put the two together and you get exactly what's happening, since users shop right there in the app without ever closing it, once they've started using it.
Take a Closer Look!
An in-app purchase is a way for users to pay extra money for content or features inside a smartphone or tablet app.
It's a common approach: let people use an app for free at first, then offer paid options for those who want to get more out of it.
Broadly speaking, there are a few types of content you can buy this way.
One type is consumable items, like healing items in a game, which get used up once spent. Another is items you buy once and keep forever, like a special character.
There's also a subscription model, where you pay a set fee every month, like a music streaming service with unlimited listening.
Payment is designed to be completed entirely within the app.
The company behind the device's operating system handles payment processing on the developer's behalf, so the transaction finishes on the spot.
This saves developers the trouble of building their own payment system, and lets users shop smoothly without any extra steps.