SKErrorDomain Code=3 on Apple App Store

‍What Causes SKErrorDomain Code=3?

Error Code 3 is typically caused by issues with payment validation. This includes using an expired card, a restricted payment method, or incorrect setup in sandbox testing. The error also arises if the Apple ID used does not have a verified payment method, resulting in the App Store rejecting the transaction.

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Common Scenarios for SKErrorDomain Code=3 - Payment Invalid

This error is commonly encountered in the following situations:

1. Using Invalid or Expired Payment Methods: The error appears if the user’s credit card has expired or if the payment method is invalid.
2. Testing Purchases with Incomplete Sandbox Setup: When using sandbox accounts, this error may occur if the payment profile is not configured properly.
3. Attempting Purchases on Restricted Accounts: Apple accounts with purchase restrictions or parental controls may trigger this error.
4. Incorrect Apple ID Setup: Attempting purchases on Apple IDs that lack verified payment methods can cause this error in both production and testing environments.

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Step-by-Step Solutions for SKErrorDomain Code=3

Solution 1: Verify Payment Method in Apple ID Settings

• Purpose: Ensures that the Apple ID used has a valid and updated payment method.
• Steps:

1. Go to Settings > [User’s Apple ID] > Payment & Shipping.
2. Verify that the payment method is active and up-to-date.
3. If necessary, update the payment method to a valid credit card or payment option.

• Result: Ensuring valid payment details reduces the likelihood of payment-related rejections.

Solution 2: Test with a Valid Sandbox Account

• Purpose: Ensures that test purchases are conducted on a properly configured sandbox account.
• Steps:

1. Log out of the current Apple ID and log in with a sandbox test account.
2. Ensure that the test account is active and has valid payment settings.
3. Retry the in-app purchase to confirm proper setup.

• Result: Testing with a sandbox account configured for purchases eliminates payment validation errors during testing.

Solution 3: Confirm Payment Settings in App Store Connect

• Purpose: Checks that payment settings in App Store Connect align with the app’s in-app purchase setup.
• Steps:

1. In App Store Connect, go to In-App Purchases and verify each purchase’s configuration.
2. Make sure product IDs and subscription options are correctly listed and configured.

1. Result: Proper setup in App Store Connect reduces potential errors due to mismatches between the app and App Store configurations.

Solution 4: Advise Users to Check Parental Control Settings (for Restricted Accounts)

• Purpose: Ensures users understand how restrictions can affect in-app purchases.
• Steps:

1. Ask users to go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Instruct them to verify that purchases are allowed under iTunes & App Store Purchases.
3. Retry the purchase if restrictions were lifted.

• Result: Ensuring no purchase restrictions are enabled allows transactions to proceed smoothly.

Solution 5: Reattempt the Purchase on a Different Device or Network

• Purpose: Avoids issues due to device-specific or network-related restrictions.
• Steps:

1. Test the in-app purchase flow on a different device or network.
2. Retry the purchase process to confirm if the issue persists.

• Result: Testing on a different setup can reveal device-specific problems and confirm if the error is isolated.

‍Conclusion

Error Code 3 - Payment Invalid, typically arises from issues with payment methods or account restrictions. By verifying Apple ID payment methods, testing with sandbox accounts, confirming payment settings, checking parental controls, and reattempting on different devices, developers can resolve this error and facilitate a seamless purchase process.

With Nami’s low-code solutions, you can skip the hassle of managing in-app payment validation, allowing Nami to handle your app’s purchases with ease. Discover more at NamiML.

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