Creating a trial version of your app

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[This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation]

There is no need to create a separate project to make a trial version for your Windows Store apps, thanks to the LicenseInformation class.

When developing for iOS, creating a trial version of your app requires building an entirely separate version of your app, or using an in-app purchase to unlock features.

Windows 8 allows you to build trial functionality right into your existing app, using the LicenseInformation class. Using the methods in this class, you wrap key functionality of your app inside conditional statements. You can then decide to time-limit these features in the trial version, disable them totally, or even include advertising until the user buys the full version. This flexibility ensures you never have to write a second version of your app, or worry about in-app purchases – and your app will always be free to download from the Windows Store.

You can also simulate the current status of your app (trial or full) by using the CurrentAppSimulatorclass, to test how it will appear to the user.

Topics for iOS devs

Resources for iOS devs

Windows 8 controls for iOS devs

Windows 8 cookbook for iOS devs

Trial version topics

Create a trial version of your app

Enable in-app purchases from your app