14 DAY TRIAL // Developers enrolled with Apple’s $99-a-year program are receiving notifications from Cupertino regarding the redeeming and distribution of promotional codes for iOS applications. Previously restricted to the United States, promo codes - which allow users to download and install paid apps for free - are now usable worldwide, Apple has confirmed.
According to various reports, Apple is telling developers, “Your promo code distribution is no longer limited to U.S. customers. Promo codes in iTunes Connect can now be redeemed by all App Store customers worldwide.”
Apple adds that Team Agents can request as many as 50 codes per version by accessing iTunes Connect.
Consumers, for their part, “can redeem these codes in any App Store,” Apple outlines. It then directs developers to the iTunes Developer Guide (PDF) for more information about requesting promo codes in iTunes Connect.
As veteran iOS devs should know, the Promo Codes module allows them to request promotional codes that they can use for promotional purposes to provide interested parties with a free copy of their app.
For example, a developer might want Softpedia to promote their app via a review. Now we can do that more easily.
“You are allotted 50 promotional codes per update of your app. Your update must be Ready For Sale in order for you to request codes,” Apple explains to developers.
The PDF guide continues with instructions on how developers can request promo codes from Apple:
1. Access the promotional codes from the Version Details page of an app.
2. Choose the app for which you need codes (if you are entering from the Home page) 3. Enter the number of promotional codes that you want to receive.
The number you enter must be less than or equal to the listed amount of codes remaining for that app update. If your app has not been approved for release onto the App Store, you will be unable to request codes for it.
4. Click Continue.
Finally, Apple adds another confirmation that promo codes are no longer restricted to the US market (emphasis ours).
“Note: Promotional codes are redeemable through any App Store around the world and are good for four weeks from the day they are generated or until your contract with Apple expires, whichever is first.”