Is there documentation for monetization? Can you respond to this post with examples of monetized apps if you know of any? Thank you!

There's a bit about charging in the New Developer FAQ https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/w/wiki/4/new-developer-faq#charge

Garmin itself isn't involved.

There are 3 main ways people charge:

1. Request a donation (only do this in the app store, not here)
2. Request money, send the user an "unlock" key (often with a trial period or to unlock additional features), the user enters that key with app settings (again, you only do this in the app store)
3. If a companion app is involved charge for that on the Apple or Google store

thanks, do you know of any apps that do #2?

Here's just the first one I found as it's not uncommon:

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/bcb58298-3e71-4d9a-9084-169e581df99c#0

I am planning a #4 where the user enters into a monthly subscription via a 3rd party billing platform, and the app runs as long as it detects a current subscription from the user.

Simple, clever billing by third party

No fuss for the user

No fees to Android/Apple

The api also contains a builtin way to unlock, you will still need to do the payment processing on your side (the app store only handles the unlock process). There's a bit of documentation about this here: https://developer.garmin.com/index.php/blog/post/something-youve-been-waiting-for-trial-apps (the unlock api does not work for watch faces)

awesome thanks

Hi renschler,

   At some point, it takes to much time to process every transactions manually.  I have automated the process where a user can buy a "unlock" key and can access it after the payment is completed and an automated email containing a link is also generated for them to access it.   

   I recently redesigned my store to allow other devs to use it to also sell their "licenses".  It takes under 10 mins to setup your own personalized store with your first product.

   You can find the store here: https://connectiq-devs-store.com/

   If any devs are interested in joining this site, just ping me and I can send you the detailed instructions.

   You can see the what's the user experience is like by trying it with this face: https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/f7cf0d7f-40dc-44ff-b58a-d7c114f26a8c

Brandon.ConnectIQ -> Please let me know if this post goes against this forums rules and I will remove it.

Cheers

Your store looks interesting. So I can set up my data fields in your store to manage payments and right to use? Do you take a cut of the fee? Do use device serial numbers or some other way to prevent "RTU code" sharing?

I know it's been a while but I just discovered this discussion and I'm planning to do exactly what you mentioned here (the #4 with a monthly subscription). I am curious how it went for you and if you can share some details about the services you used.

Yeah, that was four years ago - and I still haven't made a cent! Here's my position: I developed my app primarily for my own use, then it kind of grew. The market for the app - serious yacht racers on smallish boats (anything over 45 ' would probably be able to afford a high-end laptop app like Expedition), so my market is small, and I would have to charge big bucks to make it worthwhile going through the hassle of monetization. So here I am - a couple of thousand very happy user and a brilliant app to help me race better.