Explaining paid features before an upgrade prompt

Say what the paid feature enables, who can use it, and what remains available without paying before showing an upgrade prompt. Put that explanation next to the action or limit that makes it relevant, not in an unrelated interruption.

Describe the result and its limits

Start with the task the person is trying to complete. In a planning app, “keep more active plans” is more informative than “Unlock Pro” if that is what the paid plan enables.

Compare the current and paid states against the released app, including older plans. Name what the limit applies to, such as active plans or saved plans, and put any account, device or collaborator requirement beside the feature it qualifies.

A prompt for a planning app could say: “You’ve reached [current active-plan limit] active plans. [Plan name] lets [eligible users or accounts] keep [paid active-plan limit] active plans. [Price] per [duration]. Not now keeps your current plan and its available features.” Replace each bracketed field with the actual offer details before showing the prompt.

Define words such as “unlimited” precisely, and do not describe a planned feature as available today.

Choose a moment that explains itself

Show the offer when someone selects a paid feature or reaches the limit that blocks the task. Explain why that feature is gated and provide a route to compare plans.

If the person declines, close the offer and let them continue the free task where possible. Make clear what remains available, and decide whether and when the same offer can appear again.

Keep purchase terms beside the invitation

Show the plan name, duration and full price together in the applicable currency. If the subscription auto-renews, say so; Apple’s auto-renewable subscriptions renew at the end of their duration until the user cancels.

Apple’s subscription guidance says to add a name, price and description in App Store Connect. Subscription groups can contain options with different access levels, prices and durations.

If an offer includes a trial, state what access it provides, when paid billing starts, the amount due and the billing duration beside the invitation. Keep the prompt, plan page and store purchase flow consistent.

For Australian customers, use accurate, complete pricing and clear renewal and cancellation terms at sign-up. The ACCC has highlighted subscription-style models and unclear pricing or cancellation as potential sources of complaints under Australian Consumer Law.

Give existing subscribers the relevant sign-in, restore or management route rather than another invitation to buy.

Check whether people understand

Before release, ask someone unfamiliar with the plan what they would receive, what they would pay and for how long, and what happens if they decline. Check the purchase route for existing subscribers as well as new ones.

Measure later useful use of the paid feature separately from prompt taps.