iOS VPP app blocks in-app subscription purchaseSolved

Yes @felixfrost . If the app was deployed as a VPP app through Apple Business and installed via Hexnode UEM, that can prevent in-app purchases.

Apple does not support in-app purchases for apps distributed through Apps and Books / VPP. This applies even if the device itself does not have an active Hexnode restriction policy blocking purchases.

A few things to check first:

1. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-app Purchases and confirm it is set to Allow.
2. Confirm the Apple Account is not a Managed Apple Account. Managed Apple Accounts also do not support in-app purchases.
3. Check how the app was installed. If it was assigned from Apple Business and pushed through Hexnode UEM as a managed app, in-app subscriptions cannot be purchased from that installation.

The workaround is to remove the managed/VPP version of the app and install the app directly from the public App Store using a personal Apple Account. The user should then be able to complete the subscription purchase normally.

Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM

That explains it. The app was definitely purchased in Apple Business Manager, synced into Hexnode, and pushed to the iPhone from there. We had already ruled out Screen Time and payment issues, so I was confused why it still showed a purchase error.

One trade-off to keep in mind: once the user installs the app directly from the public App Store, it is no longer managed by Hexnode UEM as a VPP/MDM app.

That means Hexnode UEM cannot silently uninstall or reinstall that app, and management actions available for the managed app deployment will not apply to the App Store-installed copy.

Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM

So if we need the user to buy the subscription inside the app, we have to give up management control for that app on that device?

Correct @felixfrost . For in-app purchases or in-app subscriptions, the practical option is to use the public App Store installation with a personal Apple Account.

If app management is more important than the in-app subscription flow, keep the app deployed through Hexnode UEM as a VPP app and check whether the app vendor offers an enterprise, web-based, or volume subscription method that does not rely on Apple in-app purchases.

Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM