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Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

blog.equinux.com

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Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#51

Post by willyt »

xsmasher wrote: post #21
Macsenour wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't catch that before it triggers a "call" to Apple to very the code and do something else? I'm thinking of rerouting to a feature inside my app that's special to users of that code.

Users redeem codes from inside the App Store app on their phone. You can generate codes to give you app away for free, or to grant a free in-app purchase, but that is all. There's no callbacks from the app store to your app to intercept. Possibly you could do what you want with QR codes and launch URLs, or by doing camera+OCR stuff yourself inside your app.

RedLaser had an barcode and QR code OCR framework you could license a while ago. Don't know if it still exists.

Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#52

Post by mistersquid »

kchr wrote: post #50

> Or you could use Mail Designer Pro to share your promo codes, e.g. to send a nice promo code email to a journalist. It adds a bit of magic to the experience if your email is scannable Yeah, sounds very convenient... How exactly would that work?

It's one step removed. You would use your phone to scan the email displayed on your computer.

Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#53

Post by mistersquid »

Macsenour wrote: post #18
amatecha wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think so - it's only used when you trigger the Redeem Code action and you scan the code via camera ...

I can't catch that before it triggers a "call" to Apple to very the code and do something else? I'm thinking of rerouting to a feature inside my app that's special to users of that code.

Can you build your rerouting function as part of an in-app purchase and then use the code to activate it?

Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#54

Post by ReverseCold »

chipperyman573 wrote: post #47
eltoozero wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lots of paid apps, games and even e-books, I have several cards for Monument Valley.

If you have an extra one and don't mind sharing, I've been waiting to get into stardew valley... If you could email it to me (in my profile page) I'd be so happy :)

Psst... He said monument valley, not stardew valley. :)

Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#56

Post by rmwaite »

kevincox wrote: post #49
tovkal wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A developer can generate these promo codes for their app, so a potential customer or reviewer can get a free copy of the app.

But surely if you just printed off a random code it wouldn't let you download the app for free?

It would, but only once.

Re: Cracking the code behind Apple’s App Store promo card design

#58

Post by lexicality »

tdeck wrote: post #57

I've never used one of these cards, but the one in the photo has a barcode on it. Why doesn't the software just read that instead?

That'll be the GTIN - what the store scans on their till when you buy it. It's the same on all cards of that type.
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