Many apps on Apple’s App Store are free but are “bait” because app developers trick users and ask them for money in the name of subscription fees and don’t even allow them to download apps. have a trial period so they can decide if they want to license the app or not. Ideally, if users find it less beneficial, they can uninstall the app so their money isn’t wasted.
Currently, app developers openly exploit the company’s loopholes and offer free app services as bait to trick users into installing Mac apps. In fact, Bait means that once you install the free app from the app store, it will ask you for payment to use the app in any way. And most downloaded apps are designed specifically on this business model to demand money from consumers to run the app.
Apple CEO Tim Cook attended an event and objected to iPhone’s policy of downloading apps through third-party platforms. Jeff Johnson, Apple app developer, on Twitter, mentioned a popular Fokusek company on the App Store that plays with users by applying bait and switch tactics. He talked about the developer’s business model and how it hijacks the platform. There are popular apps in the Mac App Store that are powered by the Fokusek, and surprisingly, the app ratings got four out of five stars. People have been giving great reviews however, Jeff points out that the reviews aren’t as friendly as the ratings. Many consumers have complained about this and wonder why these apps don’t offer a trial. On the contrary, the developers completely follow Apple’s policies and abide by them as well, but at the same time they deceive the users with bait tactics.
One of the best apps on the Mac App Store is GCalender owned by Fokusek and is the 40th most installed app on the App Store and is listed as free, however, it requires in-app purchases from users. If you see in the description of the application, the developer refers to a license policy which states that it only requires a one-time purchase of only $9.99 and does not allow users to explore application unless they receive payment for it.
The developer’s 3 top-grossing apps in the Mac App Store all have ratings of more than 4 out of 5. However, they are all free to download, which means anyone can rate them.
The reviews aren’t as flattering as the ratings. Many reviews suggest that the apps are pretty crap.
—Jeff Johnson (@lapcatsoftware) April 12, 2022
Despite Apple’s strict policy, the best apps still exploit the guidelines and cannot be held responsible because they offer the app for free, but soon after downloading, they trick users into paying them to run the app. According to Apple, a trial period is not necessary at all. So if the apps don’t offer a trial, technically that doesn’t violate the guidelines. Apple has a review process, and based on that, they allow apps on the Play Store. Still, they need measures to prevent apps from scamming and misleading people. At this point, no one can predict when Apple will take the plunge to fix this issue.
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