ADAppRater

ADAppRater is a component intended to help you promote your apps in the App Store by targeting satisfied users and asking them to rate your app.

By pinpointing users who regularly engage with and think highly of your app, this approach is one of the best ways to earn positive app reviews. Following a simple installation process, you can see drastic improvements in your store rating in a matter of weeks.

• Overview
  • Support
  • Rater flow
• Features
• Installation
• Configuration
• Advanced Configuration
• How To Use
• Text & Localization
• Text Customization
• Email Recipient for Feedback Form
• Delegate Methods
• ADARDelegate Protocol
• ADARCustomViewsDelegate Protocol
• Developer Tools Configuration
• Example Project
• Change log
• Contributing
• Special Thanks
• Contact

Support

• Built for iOS 8
• Tested on iOS 7 (will most likely work on earlier versions as well)
• ADAppRater uses ARC

Rater flow:

• First check user satisfaction
• Navigate satisfied users to feedback publicly in the app store
• Navigate dissatisfied users to privately send direct feedback to you

Features

• Target only satisfied users to achieve a higher App Store rating
• Collect valuable feedback and complaints from dissatisfied users
• Easy to define usage parameters to target only experienced users
• Supports multiple scenarios of significant events to target users who have completed a flow
• Based on UIAlertController class (iOS 8 and later)
• Supports fallback to UIAlertView (iOS 7 and earlier)
• Custom View Delegate to create your own custom UI

Installation

Cocoa pod

pod 'ADAppRater', '~> 1.0.9'

Standard installation

1. Download project to desktop
2. Drag and drop the ‘ADAppRater’ folder to your project
3. When prompted - mark ‘Copy items if needed’

Do not forget to add #import "ADAppRater.h" where needed

Configuration

ADAppRater requires no configuration and can perform as is, simply using default configuration and the application's current plist details.

If you do wish to configure ADAppRater, I suggest doing so before the app has finished launching, i.e. in the AppDelegate's application: didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: method, like this:

#import "ADAppRater.h"

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication*)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary*)launchOptions
{
  // Override point for customization after application launch.
  [ADAppRater sharedInstance].currentVersionDaysUntilPrompt = 1;
  [ADAppRater sharedInstance].currentVersionLaunchesUntilPrompt = 3;
  [ADAppRater sharedInstance].remindWaitPeriod = 5;
  [ADAppRater sharedInstance].promptForNewVersionIfUserRated = NO;
  [ADAppRater sharedInstance].limitPromptFrequency = 30;
  
  return YES;
}

• currentVersionDaysUntilPrompt is the amount of days since the current app version was first launched to wait before prompting user to rate the app. Default is 1.
• currentVersionLaunchesUntilPrompt is the amount of launches of the current app version to wait before prompting user to rate the app. Default is 3.
• remindWaitPeriod is the number of days to wait to re-prompt user to rate the app, in case he asked to be reminded later.
• promptForNewVersionIfUserRated Set YES if user should be prompted to rate the app for a new version, even if he already rated an older version. Default is NO.
• limitPromptFrequency is the minimum number of days to wait between prompts (excluding reminders requested by user). Default is 30 days (once a month).
• invalidateLastResponsePeriod is the max number of days to wait between prompts, to allow re-prompting satisfied users after a certain amount of time. Default is 180 days (about 6 month). Set to 0 to disable the feature.

Advanced configuration

ADAppRater supports multiple scenarios of significant events to target users who have reached a certain goal.

The user will be prompted to rate the app if he completes any of these scenarios, along with the basic configuration as well.

// First Scenario: At least 3 events of Type A
ADEventCriteria* criteria1 = [[ADEventCriteria alloc] initWithEventName:@”TypeA” eventCount:3];
ADEventScenario* scenario1 = [[ADEventScenario alloc] initWithEventCriterias:@[criteria1]];

// Second Scenario: At least 5 events of Type B
ADEventCriteria* criteria2 = [[ADEventCriteria alloc] initWithEventName:@”TypeB” eventCount:5];
ADEventScenario* scenario2 = [[ADEventScenario alloc] initWithEventCriterias:@[criteria2]];

// Third Scenario: At least 1 event of each type
ADEventCriteria* criteria3 = [[ADEventCriteria alloc] initWithEventName:@”TypeA” eventCount:1];
ADEventCriteria* criteria4 = [[ADEventCriteria alloc] initWithEventName:@”TypeB” eventCount:1];
ADEventScenario* scenario3 = [[ADEventScenario alloc] initWithEventCriterias:@[criteria3, criteria4]];

[ADAppRater sharedInstance].eventScenariosUntilPrompt = @[scenario1, scenario2, scenario3];

How To Use

- (void)startRaterFlowFromViewController:(__weak UIViewController*)viewController;

Immediately invoke the Rater flow, starting with checking user satisfaction. The only condition checked is confirming that the device is online

- (void)startRaterFlowIfCriteriaMetFromViewController:(__weak UIViewController*)viewController;

Invoke the Rater flow only if all configurable criterias have been met, at least one event scenario is completed (if defined any), and app store connection is available.

- (BOOL)shouldPromptForRating;

Returns YES if the all configurable criterias have been met and at least one event scenario is completed (if defined any). Returns NO otherwise.

- (void)registerEvent:(NSString*)eventName withViewController:(__weak UIViewController*)viewController;

Call this method to notify ADAppRater that a significant event has occurred. This method can be called from anywhere in your app and increments the event count.

This method also invokes the startRaterFlowIfCriteriaMetFromViewController: to check if any scenario has now been completed and to present the Rater flow if so.

- (void)promptDirectRatingFromViewController:(__weak UIViewController*)viewController;

Immediately prompt user to rate the app, skipping the flow of first checking user satisfaction. The only condition checked is that the device is online.

Text & Localization

ADAppRater is localized based on device settings and available translations. The localization infrastructure relates to the default texts, but can be customized (see below). If wish to use the default texts and your preferred language is unavailable, you can contribute to the project by duplicating and translating the 'Localizable.strings' file and submitting a pull request (see "Contributing" below).

Text Customization

All strings used for the default UI flow are bundled in an ADAppRaterTexts class. You can either access the default instance or create a new instance and override the new one: [ADAppRater sharedInstance].localStrings Or

ADAppRaterTexts* newStrings = [[ADAppRaterTexts alloc] initWithApplicationName:@"App Name" feedbackRecipientEmail:@"[email protected]"];
[ADAppRater sharedInstance].localStrings = newStrings;

To customize the texts ADAppRater will display, insert your customized strings to the appropriate ADAppRaterTexts property:

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userSatisfactionAlertTitle;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userSatisfactionAlertMessage;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userSatisfactionAlertAnswerYes;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userSatisfactionAlertAnswerNo;

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* appRatingAlertTitle;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* appRatingAlertMessage;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* appRatingAlertAnswerRate;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* appRatingAlertAnswerRemindMe;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* appRatingAlertAnswerDontRate;

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userFeedbackAlertTitle;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userFeedbackAlertMessage;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userFeedbackAlertAnswerYes;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* userFeedbackAlertAnswerNo;

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* thankUserAlertTitle;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* thankUserAlertMessage;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* thankUserAlertDismiss;

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* feedbackFormRecipient;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* feedbackFormSubject;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* feedbackFormBody;

Email Recipient for Feedback Form

To set an email address to be used as a recipient in the default feedback form, insert the mail address to ADAppRaterTexts property:

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString* feedbackFormRecipient;

Delegate Methods

ADAppRater has two different types of protocols that can implemented.

• Implement ADARDelegate to be notified on every step of the Rater flow.
• Implement ADARCustomViewsDelegate to use your own custom views for each step of the Rater flow.

ADARDelegate Protocol

All delegate methods are optional:

- (void)appRaterWillPromptUserSatisfaction;
- (void)appRaterWillPromptUserRating;
- (void)appRaterWillPromptFeedbackRequest;
- (void)appRaterWillDisplayThankYouAlert;

- (void)appRaterUserDidAgreeToRateApp;
- (void)appRaterUserDidDeclineToRateApp;
- (void)appRaterUserDidRequestReminderToRateApp;

- (void)appRaterUserDidAgreeToSendFeedback;
- (void)appRaterUserDidDeclineToSendFeedback;

- (void)appRaterAppStoreDidOpen;
- (void)appRaterAppStoreCouldNotConnect:(NSError*)error;

ADARCustomViewsDelegate Protocol

All delegate methods are optional:

- (void)promptUserSatisfationAlertFromViewController:(UIViewController*)viewController
                                  userSatisfiedBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userSatisfiedBlock
                               userNotSatisfiedBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userNotSatisfiedBlock;

Implement this method to provide a custom view or custom texts to check user satisfaction within the app. This is the first step of the Rater flow. This method is called to first check if the user likes the app. If you do not implement this method, the default UI and text will be used.

- (void)promptAppRatingAlertFromViewController:(UIViewController*)viewController
                          userWillRateAppBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userWillRateAppBlock
                          remindUserLaterBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)remindUserLaterBlock
                              userRefusedBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userRefusedBlock;

Implement this method to provide a custom view or custom texts to ask user to rate the app. This method is called if a user answered he is satisfied with app. If you do not implement this method, the default UI and text will be used.

- (void)promptFeedbackRequestAlertFromViewController:(UIViewController*)viewController
                           userWillSendFeedbackBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userWillSendFeedbackBlock
                        userWillNotSendFeedbackBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userWillNotSendFeedbackBlock;

Implement this method to provide a custom view or custom texts to request the user to send feedback. This method is called if a user answered he is not satisfied with app. If you do not implement this method, the default UI and text will be used.

- (void)displayThankYouAlertFromViewController:(UIViewController*)viewController
                               completionBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)completion;

Implement this method to provide a custom view or custom texts to thank the user for his feedback. This method is called if a user has successfully sent his feedback. If you do not implement this method, the default UI and text will be used.

- (void)presentFeedbackFormFromViewController:(UIViewController*)viewController
                        userSentFeedbackBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userSentFeedbackBlock
                  userDidNotSendFeedbackBlock:(ADAppRaterCustomViewBlock)userDidNotSendFeedbackBlock;

Implement this method to provide a custom form or custom texts for the feedback email/form. This method is called if a user has agreed to send feedback after answering he is not satisfied with the app. If you do not implement this method, the default email app will be used.

Developer Tools Configuration

ADAppRater supports several properties to help developers debug:

@property (nonatomic) BOOL enableLog;

ADAppRater has many log messages to track the flow and state. Disabling logging message stops the printout of these logs to the console. Default is NO (for production environments). Set to YES to start printing log messages.

@property (nonatomic) BOOL previewMode;

If set to YES, ADAppRater will always start the prompt flow for any interaction, regardless of how it is configured or significant events logged. Use this to proofread your texts during testing. This property is wrapped with DEBUG compilation flags so it won’t appear in Release compilation. Make sure any call your app makes to the property is also wrapped with compilation flags or deleted before submission.

- (void)resetUsageHistory;

A developer method to reset saved usage of significant events to start over.

This method is wrapped with DEBUG compilation flags so it won’t appear in Release compilation. Make sure any call your app makes to this method is also wrapped with compilation flags or deleted before submission.

- (void)appRaterLogToConsole:(NSString*)message;

Part of the ADARDelegate protocol. Implement this method to provide a custom logging component (instead of NSLog). Optional

Example Project

1. Download project to desktop
2. Open the ‘ADAppRater Demo’ App
3. The demo app demonstrates 4 ways to use the component:
4. Default UI flow without scenarios
5. Default UI flow, with custom strings
6. Custom View Delegate implementation, without scenarios
7. Default UI flow with several scenarios of significant events

• Pay attention to the log console to follow the flow
• In order for the flow to work you must remember to insert a real bundle Id in each UIViewController, otherwise the demo will act as offline

Change Log

See Change Log page.

Contributing

See Contributing page.

Apps using ADAppRater


Using ADAppRater? Let me know.

Special Thanks

• I'd appreciate a github star if you find this useful.
• A special thanks to Nick Lockwood and iRate which was a great inspiration and example for this project.

Contact

Amir Shavit

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LinkedIn