Dan Burcaw is Co-Founder & CEO of Nami ML. He built a top mobile app development agency responsible for some of the most elite apps on the App Store and then found himself inside the mobile marketing industry after selling his last company to Oracle.
The DF-DFERH-01 error usually occurs due to conflicts in the subscription's status, especially when it's set to DEFERRED. In DEFERRED mode, subscriptions remain active but delay billing changes, creating issues when attempting adjustments or state changes. This deferred state can confuse the Google Play Store, resulting in errors as the system is unable to reconcile the transition fully.
Additionally, this error can stem from incomplete synchronization between the device cache and the server state, which sometimes causes discrepancies in how subscription transitions are processed. By understanding the cause, developers can apply targeted fixes and avoid repetitive issues.
Common Scenarios for DF-DFERH-01 Error Appearance
This error typically appears in the following scenarios:
Testing Subscription Downgrades with Proration: When a user is downgraded to a lower-tier subscription with DEFERRED proration, the system may be unable to reconcile the billing state due to conflicting timelines.
Subscription Transitions: Attempting to change a subscription’s state (e.g., upgrade or downgrade) while it’s in DEFERRED mode frequently triggers this error.
Cache Inconsistencies on Testing Devices: Device cache that hasn’t been cleared may hold outdated subscription data, causing the Play Store to recognize an inaccurate subscription status.
Network Issues: Unstable network connections during subscription changes can exacerbate deferred state errors, as the Google Play Store struggles to update the state accurately.
Step-by-Step Solutions for DF-DFERH-01 Error
Solution 1: Cancel the Subscription Manually
Purpose: Resetting the subscription state can help eliminate deferred conflicts that may cause the error.
Steps:
Open the Google Play Console.
Locate the user or test account with the subscription in question.
Manually select “Cancel Subscription” to reset its state.
After cancellation, restart the testing process by re-subscribing if needed.
Result: This often clears the deferred state, allowing for uninterrupted subscription changes or testing.
Solution 2: Clear Google Play Store Cache and Data
Purpose: Removing cached data allows the Play Store to reload the most recent subscription state, often resolving state mismatch issues.
Steps:
On the testing device, go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store.
Tap on Storage and choose Clear Cache.
(Optional) Clear Clear Data to remove additional stored information.
Restart the Google Play Store and retry the subscription transition or proration test.
Result: This helps refresh the Play Store’s data, which may correct any state mismatch caused by caching.
Solution 3: Rebuild the App with Updated Subscription State
Purpose: Ensures that the app uses the latest state for testing by reinitializing it.
Steps:
In your IDE (such as Android Studio), perform a Clean Build of the project.
Rebuild and redeploy the app on the testing device.
Attempt the subscription action again, such as a downgrade with DEFERRED proration.
Result: A fresh build can prevent errors by removing any unintended artifacts from previous tests.
Solution 4: Test on a Different Device or Network
Purpose: Avoids device-specific issues or network inconsistencies that may interfere with subscription state updates.
Steps:
Test the app on a different device with no previous subscription states stored.
Use a different Wi-Fi or data network to avoid potential network-related conflicts.
Retest the subscription transition under the DEFERRED mode.
Result: This isolates the problem, determining if the error is device or network-specific.
Solution 5: Contact Google Play Support for Persistent Issues
Purpose: In cases where the above steps fail, reaching out to Google Play Support can help identify issues that may not be visible in standard diagnostics.
Steps:
Document all troubleshooting steps you've taken and any relevant subscription IDs.
Reach out to Google Play Developer Support with this information.
Result: Google can offer direct insights or advanced troubleshooting specific to their backend systems.
Conclusion
The DF-DFERH-01 error on Google Play can disrupt the testing and transition of subscription states, especially in DEFERRED proration modes. By following these detailed troubleshooting steps—canceling subscriptions, clearing cache, rebuilding the app, testing on other devices, and, if necessary, consulting Google Play Support—developers can resolve the error and enhance their app’s stability.
With Nami, you can forget about the hassle of managing and updating in-app purchases. Our low-code solutions keep your subscriptions and purchases running smoothly, so you can focus on building your app's core features. Explore more at NamiML.
Apple's fiscal year is a structured schedule when Apple distributes app revenue to developers after deducting App Store fees and sales taxes. This schedule changes slightly every year, so it's crucial for developers and product managers to stay updated. Apple’s fiscal year is distinct from the typical fiscal year used by most companies, making it essential to understand its unique structure.
How Apple Fiscal Calendar Works
Apple’s fiscal year starts on the last Sunday of September and consists of four quarters, each lasting three months. The key points are:
Quarter Structure: Each quarter has three months.
The first month lasts for 35 days.
The next two months last for 28 days each.
Total Days: There are 364 days in the Apple Fiscal Year. Every five years, an extra week is added to account for the discrepancy.
Week Structure: Weeks start on Sunday and end on Saturday.
Payment Schedule: Payments are made every 4 or 5 weeks, always on the same day of the week (Thursday in 2024). Payments are typically for revenue collected two months prior.
Why Understanding the Fiscal Calendar is Important
Managing the Revenue Gap
You can’t access the revenue in your Developer Account until the payment date. This 33-day gap can disrupt your app’s financial flow, especially if you rely on paid traffic for app promotion. Managing your finances to account for this gap is crucial to avoid running out of funds.
Billing Challenges and Unpaid Ads
Ad networks require timely payments, and any pauses in your promotional activities due to insufficient funds can negatively impact your user acquisition strategy. Restarting ads after a pause can reduce their effectiveness. Proper financial planning helps maintain continuous ad campaigns.
Aligning Financial Metrics with Apple's Fiscal Periods
Align your performance metrics with your actual earnings. For instance, revenue earned in September will actually be from August 6 to September 2, but your spending might be based on the calendar month. Synchronize your financial records with Apple’s fiscal periods for accurate analysis.
Other important considerations
Apple pays developers proceeds for app or in-app purchase sales within 45 days of the last day of the fiscal month in which the transaction was completed.
When does Apple’s fiscal calendar 2024 start and end?
The 2024 fiscal year starts on October 1, 2023, and ends on September 28, 2024.
How are the quarters divided in Apple’s fiscal year in 2024?
Quarters are three months long, with 13 weeks divided into three periods of 5, 4, and 4 weeks.
When will Apple release its quarterly financial results?
Apple’s fiscal calendar for app developers is separate from its corporate financial results, which are published according to a general fiscal calendar.
How does Apple’s fiscal calendar differ from the standard calendar year?
Apple’s fiscal year has 364 days, with an extra week added every five years, and payment periods last for 4 or 5 weeks instead of calendar months.
Conclusion
Navigating Apple's unique fiscal year can be intricate, but understanding its structure is vital for managing your app’s revenue. By staying informed about key dates and payment schedules, you can optimize your financial planning and ensure a smooth revenue cycle.
Enhance your financial proficiency and in-app monetization by leveraging the Apple Fiscal Calendar 2024. Stay ahead in managing your app’s revenue effectively.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to test DEFERRED Proration Mode, common issues that arise during testing, and how to resolve them. Additionally, we’ll explain what Proration Modes are and highlight other types available beyond DEFERRED.
What is Proration Mode?
Proration Modes define how Google Play Billing handles the transition when a user changes from one subscription plan to another. These modes determine when the new subscription takes effect and how the remaining balance of the current plan is treated.
Types of Proration Modes
Google Play offers the following Proration Modes:
IMMEDIATE_WITH_TIME_PRORATION: The new subscription starts immediately, and the remaining time on the current plan is prorated and credited.
IMMEDIATE_AND_CHARGE_PRORATED_PRICE: The new subscription starts immediately, and the user is charged a prorated amount for the difference.
IMMEDIATE_WITHOUT_PRORATION: The new subscription starts immediately, but there is no adjustment for the remaining time of the current subscription.
DEFERRED: The new subscription starts when the current plan expires, often used for downgrades.
Understanding DEFERRED Proration Mode in Google Play Billing
DEFERRED Proration Mode postpones the subscription plan change until the current subscription cycle ends. Google describes this mode as: “Replacement takes effect when the old plan expires, and the new price will be charged at the same time.”
This mode is most commonly used for subscription downgrades. If a user downgrades from a higher-tier plan to a lower-tier one, the new plan won’t take effect until the renewal date.
Example Scenarios:
Monthly Plans: If a user downgrades in the middle of a billing cycle (e.g., day 15 of a 30-day cycle), the change won’t take effect until the renewal date—up to 31 days later.
Annual Plans: If a user downgrades on day 1 of a yearly subscription, the change won’t take effect for the remaining 365 days.
How to Test DEFERRED Proration Mode Step-by-Step
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode involves unique challenges because the subscription change doesn’t take effect immediately. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help ensure your implementation works as expected:
1. Set Up Your Development Environment
Ensure that your in-app products or subscriptions are active in the Google Play Console.
Create different subscription tiers (e.g., basic, premium) to test downgrades and upgrades.
2. Testing via a Device Development Build
Initiate the downgrade process. After confirming the subscription change, you should receive a confirmation email from Google Play.
Observe that the deferred subscription won’t replace the current one until the existing subscription expires.
If the system gets stuck (e.g., the current plan remains active even after the expiration), you can manually cancel the subscription via Play Store > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
3. End-to-End Testing via a Test Track Build
Signed Builds: For more accurate results, use a signed APK distributed through a Test Track (Internal, Alpha, or Beta). This will simulate a real-world environment for testing subscription changes.
Steps for Test Track Setup:
Ensure Active Products: Make sure your subscription products are active in Play Console.
Add Testers to Test Track: Go to the Internal, Alpha, or Beta test tracks in Play Console and add approved testers. Testers must also join the test via the link.
License Testing: Add the testers' Google accounts under Setup > License Testing to allow them to make purchases using test credit cards.
Verify Google Play Account: Ensure the correct Google account is signed into the Play Store before testing, especially if multiple accounts are on the device.
4. Validate Results
Check if the deferred plan activates correctly after the current subscription expires.
Look for any error codes or confirmation emails related to the plan change.
Troubleshooting Common Issues in Google Play Billing
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode might present various challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Subscription Plan Change Error (DF-DFERH-01): This error indicates a problem with the subscription change. Try canceling the subscription manually, resetting the test app, or reinstalling it.
Stuck Deferred Plan: If the system keeps the current plan active even after expiration, manually cancel the subscription from Play Store > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
Errors When Upgrading: Users attempting to upgrade while a DEFERRED change is pending will encounter an error: "We are unable to change your subscription plan."
Play Billing Doesn’t Surface DEFERRED Transactions: Until the new plan takes effect, there won’t be a Purchase Token or Order Number available in the system.
Practical Considerations for Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode
When testing DEFERRED Proration Mode, keep these real-world scenarios in mind:
Lack of User Visibility: End users won’t see deferred transactions in Play Store > Payments & subscriptions. They’ll only receive a confirmation email when the plan change occurs.
Reverting Subscription Changes: If a user tries to revert the change to the original subscription plan before the DEFERRED change takes effect, an error message will appear: "We are unable to change your subscription plan."
Simplifying Google Play Billing with Nami
Managing subscription proration and handling the complexities of DEFERRED Proration Mode can be challenging. With NamiML, developers can streamline their Google Play Billing implementation. Here's what we offer:
A proven solution for handling subscription downgrades, upgrades, and proration modes.
An SDK that requires no server-side code and is easy to adopt.
Built-in native paywall templates, A/B testing, and analytics to optimize your subscription model.
A generous free tierwith many features not available in homegrown implementations.
Testing DEFERRED Proration Mode in Google Play Billing requires understanding its intricacies, especially regarding how subscription changes are delayed. Following the step-by-step guide ensures that your implementation works correctly and that potential issues are addressed before going live. With tools like NamiML, you can simplify this process, reducing the hassle of handling proration modes and focusing on delivering an exceptional user experience.
One of the most common errors you might encounter implementing Google Play Billing is BillingResponseCode.ITEM_UNAVAILABLE (code 4). The corresponding message from the BillingClient API is frustratingly vague. Here's how to fix it.
Fixing "The Item You Requested is Not Available for Purchase" error
1 Add Your App to a Test Track
Ensure your app has been uploaded to the Google Play Console at least once and assigned to a test track (internal, alpha, or beta).
2. Activate Your Products
Confirm that the in-app purchase or subscription product is active and properly configured in the Play Console. Inactive products cannot be bought.
3. Add Testers to Test Track
Add approved testers to your internal, alpha, or beta test tracks. These testers must also join the test via the provided link in the Play Console.
4. Enable License Testing
Under Setup > License Testing, add the Google accounts of your testers. This allows them to make test purchases using test credit cards, avoiding actual charges.
5. Verify Google Play Account
Ensure the Google Play account signed in on the testing device matches the one added for testing and license testing. This account must be the active account before attempting any test purchases.
Simplify Google Play Billing with Nami
Implementing Google Play Billing can be complex and time-consuming. Nami offers a simplified solution with a proven implementation that covers all tricky edge cases. Our SDK is easy to adopt, requires no server-side code, and includes built-in native paywall templates, A/B testing, and analytics. With Nami, you can focus on creating a great app experience without the hassle of Play Billing infrastructure.
Now you can focus on building a great app experience, not hassling with Play Billing infrastructure. Get started for free here.
Addressing the "The item you requested is not available for purchase" error requires a thorough understanding of your app’s architecture and integration with external services. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the issue, ensuring a seamless user experience and maximizing your app’s revenue potential.
For more insights and solutions to common app development challenges, visit our website at namiml.com. Explore our low-code solutions to streamline your development process and enhance your app’s functionality.
First, visit the App Store Connect website and log in with your Apple ID and password. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to manage the app whose name you want to change.
Step 2: Select Your App
Navigate to the "My Apps" section, where you will see all the apps associated with your account. Select the app for which you want to change the name.
Step 3: Create a New Version
Click on the "+" button or the "Create New Version" option to start a new version of your app.
Step 4: Edit App Information
Go to the "App Information" section in the left-hand menu. This section contains all the details about your app, including its name and subtitle.
Step 5: Change the App Name
In the "App Information" section, click on the name field and enter the new app name. Ensure the new name adheres to Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines and fits your branding strategy.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Scroll down and click the "Save" button to save the changes to your app’s metadata.
Step 7: Submit for Review
Navigate to the “App Store” tab and click “Submit for Review.” Apple will review the changes before they go live on the App Store.
If Your App is Not Yet Live
To change the name and subtitle of an app that is not yet live on the App Store, you need to open App Store Connect and navigate to your app's page. Once there, you can directly modify the app name and subtitle fields. After making the necessary changes, ensure that you save your updates.
Additional Considerations
App Store Optimization (ASO): When changing your app name, consider how it impacts your ASO. Use keywords that enhance discoverability and align with user search behavior. Tools like Sensor Tower or App Annie can provide insights into effective keyword strategies.
Brand Consistency: Ensure the new name aligns with your overall branding strategy. Consistency across all branding elements, including app icons, screenshots, and promotional materials, reinforces brand recognition.
User Communication: Inform your existing users about the name change to avoid confusion. Use push notifications, in-app messages, and email newsletters to communicate this change effectively.
Legal and Trademark Considerations: Verify that your new app name is not infringing on existing trademarks. Legal conflicts can lead to your app being removed from the store.
Updating your app name in App Store Connect is a crucial step in maintaining your app’s relevance and brand identity. By following the steps outlined above and considering additional factors like ASO, branding consistency, and user communication, you can easily change your app name, ensuring it reflects your latest updates and marketing efforts.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your App Store Optimization efforts relate to monetization, we’d be happy to help. In the meantime, happy app making and best of luck with App Store discovery.
The iOS App Shared Secret is a unique, 32-character hexadecimal string private key that developers use to secure in-app purchase transactions. This key ensures that communications between your app and Apple's servers are authenticated, preventing unauthorized access and fraudulent transactions.
It is especially vital for apps with subscription-based models, where the key is used to validate and renew subscriptions securely. It works fantastic for server-side receipt validation and provides added security for receipts with auto-renewable subscriptions.
Receipt Verification and the Role of Shared Secret
Receipt verification is a process app developers use to verify purchases. Specifically, this process if for purchases made using Apple’s App Store payments mechanism (aka StoreKit). The receipt provides a complete list of all the purchases made by an app’s user. The receipt includes both in-app purchases and subscriptions.
Apple recommends that app developers validate a receipt for security and piracy reasons. In fact, property security requires a secure backend.
The Shared Secret allows you to receive the decoded form of a receipt. In addition, its included in the payload of App Store Server Notifications. You can check that the password key’s value matches the known Shared Secret verify the authenticity of the notification.
There are primarily two types of shared secrets you might encounter in the iOS development environment:
App-Specific Shared Secret: This is used for a single app to manage its in-app purchases. It is particularly useful for apps with subscription services, as it allows the app to verify receipts and manage subscriptions effectively.
Primary Shared Secret: This is used for multiple apps within a single developer account. It offers the convenience of managing subscriptions across several apps, streamlining the process for developers with a portfolio of applications.
How to Generate an iOS App Shared Secret
Generating an iOS App Shared Secret is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Log in to App Store Connect:
Visit App Store Connect and log in with your Apple Developer account credentials. To generate either type of Shared Secret requires an App Store Connect account with either Account Holder or Adminrole.
2. Access My Apps:
Navigate to the "My Apps" section and select the app for which you need to create a shared secret.
4. In-App Purchases:
In the app's dashboard, go to the "Features" tab and select "In-App Purchases".
5. Generating App-Specific Shared Secret:
If you are generating an app-specific shared secret, find the section labeled "App-Specific Shared Secret" and click on "Generate" or "Reset" if a key already exists.
6. Generating Primary Shared Secret:
For a primary shared secret, go to "Users and Access" and select "Shared Secret" from the sidebar. Click on "Generate" to create a new key.
The App-Specific Shared Secret is a good idea if you want app-level security. Perhaps plan to transfer an app to another Apple Developer. For instance, if you sell an app to another party on a marketplace like Flippa.
7. Save Your Shared Secret:
Once generated, copy the shared secret and store it securely. It will be needed for integrating your app's in-app purchase functionality with your backend server.
Managing Your iOS App Shared Secret
Proper management of your shared secret is crucial for maintaining app security. Here are some best practices:
Regularly Rotate Keys: To enhance security, regularly regenerate your shared secret.
Secure Storage: Store the shared secret in a secure environment, such as a vault or secure server.
Access Control: Limit access to the shared secret to only those who absolutely need it.
Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on the usage of your shared secret to detect any unauthorized access or anomalies.
Understanding and effectively managing your iOS App Shared Secret is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of your app's in-app purchases. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your app's transactions are secure, providing a better experience for your users and peace of mind for yourself.
For more detailed guidance on app development and in-app purchase security, visit our website at NamiML to explore our low-code solutions designed to simplify and enhance your app's functionality.
