Guides
How free codes for paid apps work on iPhone and Android, and how developers can give them away. Each guide links to Apple's or Google's own pages and says when we last checked them.
Get paid apps for free
Real codes, how to redeem them on each store, and what to avoid.
What is an offer code? Apple offer codes and Google Play promo codes
What an Apple offer code unlocks, how it differs from a gift card, Google Play's promo codes and offers, and when free months start to cost money.
Google Play promo codes: what they unlock and which are scams
A Google Play promo code unlocks one paid app, an in-app item or a free trial. Why free Play credit codes are scams, and where real promo codes come from.
Free App Store codes: which ones are real and which are scams
Real free App Store codes come from app developers and unlock one app. Gift card generators are scams. How to tell them apart on iPhone and Android.
How to get paid apps for free on iPhone and Android, legally
Six legal ways to get paid apps free on iPhone and Android: developer codes, apps gone free, trials, betas, family sharing and store credit.
How to redeem a code on iPhone, iPad and Mac
Apple redeem code steps for iPhone, iPad and Mac: by link, in the App Store or inside an app. Offer code vs gift card, and fixes when a code fails.
How to redeem a Google Play code: promo codes and gift cards
Redeem a Google Play code in the Play Store app, on play.google.com or inside an app. Promo codes vs gift cards, and fixes for Google's error messages.
For developers
Offer codes, promo codes, launches and finding users, within the store rules.
Incentivized reviews: what Apple and Google Play ban
What counts as an incentivized review on the App Store and Google Play, the exact policy wording, EU and FTC rules, and what developers can do instead.
Apple offer codes for developers: setup and limits in 2026
Set up one-time and custom Apple offer codes in App Store Connect, with the limits from Apple's docs and what people see when they redeem.
Google Play promo codes for developers: limits and setup
How to create Google Play promo codes in Play Console: the 500 per quarter limit, subscription codes, custom codes, CSV downloads and how people redeem.