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3.1.4Hardware-specific content

What this guideline means

If your app unlocks digital content specifically because the user owns a companion piece of hardware paired via Bluetooth, NFC, or similar, that unlock doesn't need to go through In-App Purchase — but it has to be genuinely tied to hardware ownership, not just a workaround label.

Why apps actually get flagged

Occasionally misused by apps trying to frame a normal digital purchase as "hardware-specific" to avoid IAP fees without an actual paired accessory involved.

A real example

"The content unlocked in your app does not appear to be tied to ownership of a specific hardware accessory, and therefore requires in-app purchase, per guideline 3.1.4."

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