Implementing in app purchases on Android?

Question

Change Android now supports in-app billing !

The original question:

It seems that Android will not support in-app purchases for some time, and when that happens there can be a huge user base with devices that do not support them.

What is the best way to make purchases in the iPhone application (for example, additional content or services) on Android using the Android Market, if possible?

The decision should take into account, in particular:

• For all types of in-app purchases: 24-hour cancellation policy for the Android market.
• For consumables / consumables: storage of additional content (i.e. using precious application memory to prevent piracy or using an SD card to avoid bloating the application memory).

Thank!

Answer 1

It has changed from today! Now there is an example on the Android developer site: http://developer.android.com/google/play/billing/index.html

Answer 2

You can create a premium application in which there will be a key. As you state, this is your deal (or you can just check if the PremiumKey function exists). From the main application, you simply check your key, and if it exists, enable the premium option) If you are talking about buying OTHER applications from yours, create your list using the market URL that points to other applications (market: //)

Answer 3

This is contrary to the Android Market Advertising Distribution Agreement in order to accept payment in the app:

3.3 ... All payments received by developers for products distributed through the market must be processed by the Payment Processor in the markets.

Answer 4

It seems that Paypal has launched a library for accepting payments in the application. See here . Not sure if this system violates T&C though.

Answer 5

You say that the Android Market does not support in-app purchases, and then asks how you can implement in-app purchases using the Android Market? (!)

In any case, if and when they support it, I think it can be distributed as an update for the Android Market application, so most users will be able to use this functionality. I believe the Market app is automatically updated.

Perhaps Market will accept Intent to initiate a payment through the usual mechanism on the device and return your application (or, most likely, your server) callback.

Answer 6

Here is another free licensing and payment system. The best part is that it allows you to offer your application in any application store.

You can find more information @ http://www.cloud4apps.com/

Answer 7

There is another platform for payments in applications for MoVend Android applications (www.movend.com). I tested it, and there are several advantages to using it compared to the other 2 mentioned earlier:

Many payment channels: Billing operators for more than 38 countries, PayPal and virtual loans.

Many distribution channels: they work with developers to distribute their applications through various distribution channels, such as AppStore AppStores, OEMs and Android app websites. Marketing is what we all need. They are also invested in Singaporean telecommunications, which have a strong presence in Southeast Asia.

They provide sales analytics to track, track and monitor the performance of your applications. Since they are available all over the world, you can always adapt your applications to different geographical areas.

I am trying to create Android apps, and monetization is important.

Answer this topic so we can discuss how we can monetize our Android apps.

Answer 8

Check out http://mobpaynet.com , they are doing something like this. Not sure if this violates the conditions or not, but I will probably check it.

Answer 9

You can use third-party libraries to make in-app purchases in Air applications (Adobe AIR does not support In App Purchase for any platforms out of the box). For example, developed by Milkman Games (unfortunately, they are not free)