I publish RuckTrack, a paid Connect IQ device app on Garmin Pay at $2.99 (store URL: https://apps.garmin.com/apps/201e9e43-f33c-4b56-b3f5-8a67184e3d1c ). I'd like to offer a 7-day free trial so users can try the app before committing to purchase. What I've checked so far: Application.AppBase.isTrial() and getTrialDaysRemaining() exist in the API docs, but it's unclear whether they integrate with a Garmin Pay paid listing, or only with the older Garmin-native paid-app system. The "Trial Apps" core topic page doesn't say either way. The developer portal for our listing doesn't appear to expose an "enable trial" toggle, but I may be missing it. The Aug 2024 Garmin Pay launch press release mentions the 48-hour refund window but says nothing about trials. KiezelPay-using apps (Crystal Reborn, Lumeo, etc.) offer trials, but they list on Connect IQ as free entries with KiezelPay handling payment outside the storefront, not as Garmin Pay paid listings. My questions: Is there a current way to enable a trial period for a Garmin Pay paid app? If yes, what's the developer-portal step, and does it tie into isTrial() / getTrialDaysRemaining() in code? If not, is trial support on the Garmin Pay roadmap? If the only path today is to migrate off Garmin Pay to KiezelPay (or to run a paid + free-with-KiezelPay sibling pair), is that the official recommendation? Thanks for any clarity here.

Adding a 7-day trial to a Garmin Pay paid app: what's the official path?

I publish RuckTrack, a paid Connect IQ device app on Garmin Pay at $2.99 (store URL: https://apps.garmin.com/apps/201e9e43-f33c-4b56-b3f5-8a67184e3d1c). I'd like to offer a 7-day free trial so users can try the app before committing to purchase.

What I've checked so far:

Application.AppBase.isTrial() and getTrialDaysRemaining() exist in the API docs, but it's unclear whether they integrate with a Garmin Pay paid listing, or only with the older Garmin-native paid-app system. The "Trial Apps" core topic page doesn't say either way.
The developer portal for our listing doesn't appear to expose an "enable trial" toggle, but I may be missing it.
The Aug 2024 Garmin Pay launch press release mentions the 48-hour refund window but says nothing about trials.
KiezelPay-using apps (Crystal Reborn, Lumeo, etc.) offer trials, but they list on Connect IQ as free entries with KiezelPay handling payment outside the storefront, not as Garmin Pay paid listings.

My questions:

Is there a current way to enable a trial period for a Garmin Pay paid app? If yes, what's the developer-portal step, and does it tie into isTrial() / getTrialDaysRemaining() in code?
If not, is trial support on the Garmin Pay roadmap?
If the only path today is to migrate off Garmin Pay to KiezelPay (or to run a paid + free-with-KiezelPay sibling pair), is that the official recommendation?

Thanks for any clarity here.

Top Replies

jim_m_58 2 months ago +1

Back in 2017, Garmin introduced a payment system, where isTrial came about. It was kind of complex, and in all this time I've only seen a few apps that ever used it.

The GarminPay system is completely…

All Replies

0 jim_m_58 2 months ago

Back in 2017, Garmin introduced a payment system, where isTrial came about. It was kind of complex, and in all this time I've only seen a few apps that ever used it.

The GarminPay system is completely different and only has the 48 hour refund. No trial apps. Kpay is a 3rd party payment system and isn't connected to Garmin at all.

0 jim_m_58 2 months ago

Here's the doc about the early isTrial, etc. Core Topics

0 Meridian 2 months ago in reply to jim_m_58

Thanks Jim, that confirms what I'd pieced together from the docs. Good to know the 48-hour refund window is the closest thing to a trial on the new system. I'll plan around that.

0 K 2 months ago

I think for clarity you need to edit your post. KiezelPay is NOT a legacy payment method, it is a 3rd Party payment solution and is currently still very much in use - I assume there are other 3rd party payment providers.

Application.AppBase.isTrial() has nothing to do with 3rd Party payment providers

'but they're free listings running their own paywall' - this statement contradicts itself, how can they be free if they have a paywall?

And for anyone reading this KiezelPay allows any trial period the developer wants to use - minutes, hours, days.

PS I am not affiliated with KiezelPay but I have successfully used them for the last 5 years.

0 Meridian 2 months ago in reply to K

Thanks for the corrections, both right. I've updated the OP to drop the 'legacy' framing and clean up the paywall wording. I'm leaning toward launching a KPay version alongside the existing GP one. Any tips from your 5 years using them?

0 K 2 months ago in reply to Meridian

I think the best thing initially to do is look at their FAQs on their website - and scroll down to the developer section.