Terms and conditions template for an app (free, with placeholders)

A privacy policy explains how you handle data; terms and conditions set the rules for using your app. Unlike a privacy policy, terms are not required by law for most apps, but they let you limit your liability, explain purchases and refunds, stop abuse, and close accounts that break the rules. This page gives a template you can adapt, plus the clauses Apple requires if you replace its standard license agreement.

Does my app need terms and conditions?

Not always, but most apps benefit from them:

• On the App Store, if you do not supply your own end-user license agreement (EULA), Apple's standard Licensed Application EULA applies to your app. If you write your own, it must include Apple's minimum terms, covered below.
• On Google Play, there is no standard app EULA. Google Play's own terms govern the store, so anything specific to your app has to come from you.
• For auto-renewing subscriptions, Apple expects a link to your terms of use, which can be its standard EULA, in the app and in your App Store listing, alongside the privacy policy.
• If users create accounts, post content or buy things, terms give you the rules you need to act on.

What is the difference between terms, an EULA and a privacy policy?

• Terms and conditions (also called terms of use or terms of service) are the rules for using the app and any service behind it.
• An EULA is a license to use the software itself. Many apps combine it with their terms in one document.
• A privacy policy explains what data you collect and why. It stays a separate page; see the privacy policy template.

What does the full template say?

Replace everything in brackets. Delete OPTIONAL sections that do not apply.

Terms and conditions for [App name]

Last updated: [date]

These terms are an agreement between you and [Developer or company name] ("we", "us") about your use of the [App name] app and any related services. By downloading or using the app, you agree to them. If you do not agree, do not use the app.

License to use the app

We give you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to install and use the app on devices you own or control, for your own non-commercial use, under these terms and the rules of the store you got it from. You may not copy, modify, resell or reverse engineer the app except where the law allows.

Accounts [OPTIONAL]

You must give accurate information when you create an account and keep your password safe. You are responsible for activity on your account. You must be at least [13 / 16 / 18] to create one. You can delete your account at any time in the app under [path].

Purchases and subscriptions [OPTIONAL]

Purchases are processed by [Google Play / the App Store], and their terms apply to payment and refunds. Subscriptions renew automatically at the price shown until you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel a subscription in your store account settings; deleting the app does not cancel it. [OPTIONAL: Free trials convert to paid subscriptions unless cancelled before the trial ends.] Virtual items have no cash value and cannot be transferred.

Acceptable use

You agree not to use the app to break the law, harm others, send spam, upload malware, interfere with the app or its servers, access data that is not yours, or get around any limits we set.

Your content [OPTIONAL]

You keep ownership of content you create or upload. You give us permission to store, process and display it only as needed to run the app for you. You are responsible for your content and must have the right to share it. We may remove content that breaks these terms.

Our content

The app, its design, code, text, graphics and trademarks belong to us or our licensors. These terms do not give you any rights to them beyond the license above.

Third-party services

The app may link to or work with services we do not control, such as [sign-in providers / maps / payment processors]. Their own terms and privacy policies apply to your use of them.

Privacy

Our [privacy policy link] explains how we handle your information.

Disclaimers

The app is provided "as is" and "as available". To the extent the law allows, we make no warranties beyond those stated in these terms, and we do not promise the app will always be available or free of errors.

Limitation of liability

To the extent the law allows, we are not liable for indirect, incidental or consequential losses, and our total liability for any claim relating to the app is limited to the amount you paid us for it in the 12 months before the claim. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.

Ending these terms

You can stop using the app and delete your account at any time. We may suspend or end your access if you break these terms. Sections that by their nature should survive will continue to apply.

Changes

We may update these terms. We will change the date above, and tell you in the app before significant changes take effect. Continuing to use the app after that means you accept the new terms.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of [state or country], without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. [OPTIONAL: Disputes go to the courts of [place].] If you live in the EU or UK, you keep the protections of your local consumer law.

App Store terms [include if you publish on the App Store with your own EULA]

• These terms are between you and us only, not Apple. We, not Apple, are responsible for the app and its content.
• Your license allows use on Apple-branded devices you own or control, as the App Store usage rules permit, including Family Sharing where enabled.
• We alone are responsible for maintenance and support. Apple has no obligation to provide either.
• If the app fails to meet any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price. Apple has no other warranty obligation.
• We, not Apple, handle any claims about the app, including product liability, legal or regulatory compliance, and consumer protection or privacy claims.
• We, not Apple, handle any claim that the app infringes someone else's intellectual property.
• You confirm you are not in a country subject to a US government embargo and are not on any US government list of prohibited or restricted parties.
• You must follow any third-party agreements that apply when you use the app, such as your mobile data plan.
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these terms and may enforce them against you.

Contact

[Developer or company name], [postal address], [contact email].

What should I check before publishing?

• The name and address match your store listing and your privacy policy.
• The subscription wording matches what your paywall shows: price, period, trial and renewal.
• The age limit matches your store age rating and your privacy policy's children section.
• The terms are on a public web page and linked from the app, and for subscriptions on iOS, from your App Store listing.

This template is a starting point and not legal advice. If your app handles payments between users, health, finance or large amounts of content posted by users, have a lawyer review it. For the privacy side, use the app privacy policy generator.