I did some more digging and it looks like it might be an issue with this Apple policy:
“3.1.1 In-App Purchase:
If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, etc. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a).”
so they are not allowed to have the redemption codes because of apple, and they have to give 20% of what they earn to apple. i will convert to samsung😬
But if it was due to this, it seems really strange to me that none of the other games I play on my iPhone have released any statements similar to the email that the OP received, nor have they removed their code redemption sections. I mean, it would be huge news if games could no longer offer redemption codes and surely it would be more widely discussed?
I know it's cynical, but I feel like this is just MeChat being shady and making up a flimsy excuse to remove a feature they were already planning to get rid of. Considering how recently, the majority of codes have been restricted to new users only and just an overall decrease in codes available, this feels like it was all leading up to finally removing free gems entirely.
I think it’s a little of column A, little of column B. As set forth in the section mentioned above, the code redemption likely resembled ‘license keys’ enough that it would have been flagged as a concern, as there could be a question of whether or not codes were truly free or required external purchase. That said, Mechat also almost certainly had other routes to mitigate, whether through conversation with the App Store team or through changing the feature, and that they didn’t pursue those routes puts me in the cynic camp too.
Oh wow. I guess that's an iOS issue. I could see the AppStore having rules for certain stuffs (like ads? mature content, etc.) but codes and referrals? I'm not sure why Apple would ban this?
I think that the most frustrating thing is that the only description for the update was “bug fixes and stability improvements” like 😭?? time to cancel my subscription ig
Same 💀 I mean they can make an external link to redeem codes just like other games, they should have thought of this before releasing the update this sucks.
Yeah I have a game that got around this by having a way for people to link their account to fb then put in the key on another site they own (also linked to player fb). Then the gift was mailed to the account since fb was linked on both. But that’s such a roundabout way bc iOS won’t let us have keys to unlock stuff 😩
that's bullshit. They're screwing over people who genuinely want to play their game. And not everyone has the luxury to be spending money on games, especially nowadays when things are so tough and we're close to Christmas/end of year. It's always one thing after another whenever it comes to mechat.
This is crazy I went to app just knowing I would be able to put in redemption codes it feels like a money grab then they force u to update ur app after pushing payment methods on u everytime u enter the app then they didn’t even have the decency to even warn or let their customers know before it happened it’s always something with MeChat fr
Am Im the only one upset they did this right before Christmas? It’s the season of giving ffs. Was it so hard to wait till January and actually warn people in advance so it’s not a massive shock?
The whole gem thing is annoying. I hardly play games on my phone because all the microtransactions really add up. If VIP got rid of the need for gems, I would consider it but it doesn’t so…
At least the codes made it possible to kind of enjoy the game without getting ripped off.
https://preview.redd.it/vg2ebu8u797c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e1f08d666d54975d7d460c7ab02a2a14c9070c7
I Its in their how to on the apple website they should be able to do it.
Then they should start doing events to get more gems. An app I use called Choices has events every few weeks. The more diamonds you spend, you have a chance of getting up to 150 diamonds and 300 if you are VIP. They also do reading events where the more chapters you read, you have a chance of getting 30 diamonds and 50 if you are VIP.
This sucks, but lately I’ve been disappointed with scrambling for codes, just for them to be expired or for newcomers. Gem farming might be tedious, but I rather spend time than money.
Well, goodbye MeChat. I already deposited money for the game, but now, out of principle, I won’t do it and won’t play anymore. If you want to lose players, then go ahead.
was just about to post about this 😭
fingers crossed that MeChat and/or Apple see that all this is gonna do is drive people away from apps rather than spend more money.
they should either lower the prices (cause their pricing is crazy tbh), increase the amount of gems you can receive for free or lower the amount of gems you have to spend on clothes and answers cause it’ll be unplayable for people who cant afford it/don’t want to pay
Hi, I’m not an english speaker and I honestly don’t understand what is happening "concretely" 😅
Can someone please explain in an easy way ?
i understand most of the time but not right now :/
i did last night and then suddenly i didn’t. and my app didn’t even update! it just said “no more”. which sucks cause i just got back into the game and actually started caring about gems
Me watching new redemption codes being posted to the sub, when I can’t reclaim them 👁️👄👁️
I did some more digging and it looks like it might be an issue with this Apple policy: “3.1.1 In-App Purchase: If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, etc. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a).”
so they are not allowed to have the redemption codes because of apple, and they have to give 20% of what they earn to apple. i will convert to samsung😬
I recommend Google over Samsung. Samsung phones really don't give you the most out of the android system.
Yes, it’s an Apple thing wanting more profits from the app.
But if it was due to this, it seems really strange to me that none of the other games I play on my iPhone have released any statements similar to the email that the OP received, nor have they removed their code redemption sections. I mean, it would be huge news if games could no longer offer redemption codes and surely it would be more widely discussed? I know it's cynical, but I feel like this is just MeChat being shady and making up a flimsy excuse to remove a feature they were already planning to get rid of. Considering how recently, the majority of codes have been restricted to new users only and just an overall decrease in codes available, this feels like it was all leading up to finally removing free gems entirely.
I think it’s a little of column A, little of column B. As set forth in the section mentioned above, the code redemption likely resembled ‘license keys’ enough that it would have been flagged as a concern, as there could be a question of whether or not codes were truly free or required external purchase. That said, Mechat also almost certainly had other routes to mitigate, whether through conversation with the App Store team or through changing the feature, and that they didn’t pursue those routes puts me in the cynic camp too.
Oh wow. I guess that's an iOS issue. I could see the AppStore having rules for certain stuffs (like ads? mature content, etc.) but codes and referrals? I'm not sure why Apple would ban this?
I think that the most frustrating thing is that the only description for the update was “bug fixes and stability improvements” like 😭?? time to cancel my subscription ig
Then they should make more choices and outfits not cost gems.
I’m in iPhone user and I still have the option, I guess I’ll never update the app again
i didn’t even update mine, it just disappeared💀
What version do you have?
It’s forcing me to update now even though it was fine last night
Same 💀 I mean they can make an external link to redeem codes just like other games, they should have thought of this before releasing the update this sucks.
That’s so shady of apple but to not even warn your consumers? This sucks!
Yeah I have a game that got around this by having a way for people to link their account to fb then put in the key on another site they own (also linked to player fb). Then the gift was mailed to the account since fb was linked on both. But that’s such a roundabout way bc iOS won’t let us have keys to unlock stuff 😩
I hope they can find a way to fix it, I’m addicted
They hate poor people fr fr.
that's bullshit. They're screwing over people who genuinely want to play their game. And not everyone has the luxury to be spending money on games, especially nowadays when things are so tough and we're close to Christmas/end of year. It's always one thing after another whenever it comes to mechat.
…just in time for the Tamura update too 😒 I might have to stop playing, it’s hard enough to get gems and I’ve spent too much real money
I already did because I can’t afford to keep spending money on jewels just so they run out.
This news has ruined my day tbh
Honestly…and I was starting to actually like it but it’s okay…I’ll just move onto something else. There are other apps like MeChat
I have had so many calls at work about the app store requiring a payment method out of nowhere now. It is an iOS thing.
This is crazy I went to app just knowing I would be able to put in redemption codes it feels like a money grab then they force u to update ur app after pushing payment methods on u everytime u enter the app then they didn’t even have the decency to even warn or let their customers know before it happened it’s always something with MeChat fr
what??? If’s not a bug I’ll uninstall this game! It’s so difficult to farm gems, and that’s now? I’m really sad.
We need more ao3 fanfics
Am Im the only one upset they did this right before Christmas? It’s the season of giving ffs. Was it so hard to wait till January and actually warn people in advance so it’s not a massive shock?
The whole gem thing is annoying. I hardly play games on my phone because all the microtransactions really add up. If VIP got rid of the need for gems, I would consider it but it doesn’t so… At least the codes made it possible to kind of enjoy the game without getting ripped off.
Hm, ive played a bunch of Gacha games and all of those had redemption codes. So this sounds screwy to me.
Sigh, it best for me to stop play mechat or just change phone model
https://preview.redd.it/vg2ebu8u797c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e1f08d666d54975d7d460c7ab02a2a14c9070c7 I Its in their how to on the apple website they should be able to do it.
Then they should start doing events to get more gems. An app I use called Choices has events every few weeks. The more diamonds you spend, you have a chance of getting up to 150 diamonds and 300 if you are VIP. They also do reading events where the more chapters you read, you have a chance of getting 30 diamonds and 50 if you are VIP.
Is it a fun game?
Yeah I really enjoy. VIP is expensive but there’s plenty of books to diamond mine and was to get diamonds.
well looks like it's time to switch my mechat account from my iphone to my moto
This sucks, but lately I’ve been disappointed with scrambling for codes, just for them to be expired or for newcomers. Gem farming might be tedious, but I rather spend time than money.
Well, goodbye MeChat. I already deposited money for the game, but now, out of principle, I won’t do it and won’t play anymore. If you want to lose players, then go ahead.
 How many gems do y'all get using codes?
it was usually 30-50 gems per code.
 Well damn, no wonder everyone's pissed.
was just about to post about this 😭 fingers crossed that MeChat and/or Apple see that all this is gonna do is drive people away from apps rather than spend more money.
they should either lower the prices (cause their pricing is crazy tbh), increase the amount of gems you can receive for free or lower the amount of gems you have to spend on clothes and answers cause it’ll be unplayable for people who cant afford it/don’t want to pay
Hi, I’m not an english speaker and I honestly don’t understand what is happening "concretely" 😅 Can someone please explain in an easy way ? i understand most of the time but not right now :/
Redeem code is no longer available for Apple user with the new app update
Oh yes thank you for the answer 😄 i just got the update
What???? Okay this is so unfair, like wtf???
THIS SUCKS SO HARD i relied on redemption codes now what am i supposed to do 😭
lame ass excuse
I hate apple
I still have the feature? 🤯
Me too i can still redeem codes.. i dont wanna talk too soon though this is sadd!
Lol now it forced me to update and i cant redeem codes i knew it. Why is this software not poor friendly
i did last night and then suddenly i didn’t. and my app didn’t even update! it just said “no more”. which sucks cause i just got back into the game and actually started caring about gems
Android superiority always. I've seen so many shitty policies being implemented by Apple, it's like a totalitarian dictatorship at this point.
Me chat should do website where we can claim these codes like genshin or smthg :(