This comprehensive guide explains how Uscreen's mobile app onboarding features help you reduce anonymous users and improve the signup experience. Learn about unregistered users and the options available to ensure users create accounts during the onboarding process.
Unregistered Users
When users skip the account creation process on mobile apps, they become Unregistered Users.
This happens because the mobile app marketplaces (App Store and Google Playstore) allow users to make anonymous purchases through Simplified Subscriptions, which reduces friction during checkout but creates limitations.
Key limitations of unregistered users:
They cannot access your content on other devices
You cannot send them marketing emails
Support becomes challenging without contact information
Users must restore purchases on their original device
You can view unregistered users by navigating to the People page and searching for "Unregistered". Their accounts will show listed as Unregistered user #[userID].
These users are assigned a temporary email address by using the origin app transaction ID, followed by the domain of your store. This makes them difficult to identify and support.
Apple:
10000XXXXXXXXXX@domain.comAndroid:
GPA.XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX@domain.com
ℹ️ INFO: If a user later creates an account via the Restore Purchase functionality, their name and email are automatically updated in your store.
Mobile App Onboarding Options
Uscreen has implemented two key improvements to the mobile app onboarding.
Option 1: Single-Page Onboarding: Require Account Creation
This improvement features a streamlined onboarding experience with two key components.
Single-Page Benefits Display
Clear, concise list of membership benefits on a single page
No need to swipe through multiple screens
Smart display that shows community and live streaming options if those features are part of your apps
Required Account Creation (v.3.14+)
When enabled, this feature requires users to create an account before they can purchase a subscription.
Users must enter their information to proceed with the purchase
If they try to close the account creation screen, they return to the plan selection
Prevents anonymous users entirely
ℹ️ INFO: This feature can be enabled by your CSM or App Launch Specialist via a feature flag. It doesn't require an app rebuild and is currently optional.
Option 2: Optional Onboarding: Encourage Account Creation
This alternative approach encourages account creation without making it mandatory.
Users are presented with a dedicated account creation screen
Account creation remains optional per app store guidelines
Users can skip this step and become unregistered users
Recommended if you have many unregistered users but don't qualify for the required account creation
💡 TIP: You can still use custom screenshot slides instead of the single-page benefits display if you prefer the swiping approach with custom images. Work with your CSM and App Launch Specialist to set this up.
Requirements for Requiring Account Creation
Apple has specific guidelines regarding account creation requirements. According to Apple App Store Guideline 5.1.1(v), apps may only require account creation if they offer "significant account-based features".
📝 NOTE: Required account creation is only available for apps with (in-app) subscriptions. It is not available for sign-in-only apps, as these are designed specifically for existing users to sign in, not for new users to create accounts.
✅ Your apps CAN require accounts if:
Your app has community and/or calendar features enabled
These qualify as significant account-based features (posting comments, social profiles, personalized calendars, playlists)
🛑 Your apps CANNOT require accounts if:
Your app only offers videos without community or calendar features
Your app is sign-in-only (not offering signup or account creation)
💡 TIP: Consider adding community and/or calendar features to your apps to enable required account creation while enhancing user engagement.
How to Enable These Features
For Single-Page Onboarding:
This is the default for apps on version 3.12 or later
No additional configuration is needed
For Optional Onboarding with Encouraged Account Creation:
Ensure your apps are on version 3.12 or later
Contact your Success Manager or App Launch Specialist to enable this feature
No app rebuild is required
For Required Account Creation:
Ensure your apps are on version 3.14 or later
Verify your app has community and/or calendar features enabled
Contact your Success Manager or App Launch Specialist to enable the setting
The setting can be quickly enabled or disabled without requiring an app update
Benefits of Account Creation
Ensuring users create accounts provides several advantages.
Improved User Experience: Users can access content across all their devices
Better Marketing: Capture email addresses for newsletters and promotions
Enhanced Support: Easily identify and assist subscribers with issues
Reduced Confusion: Prevent situations where users can't access content on other devices
Helping Existing Unregistered Users
If you already have unregistered users in your system, you can help them create accounts.
Identify unregistered users in your People tab by searching for "Unregistered"
Guide these users to restore their purchase on their original device
During the restore process, they'll be prompted to create an account
Once they complete this process, their unregistered account will be updated with their personal information
🔗 Learn more about Restoring an In-App Purchase
FAQs
What's the difference between encouraging and requiring account creation?
What's the difference between encouraging and requiring account creation?
Encouraging account creation (version 3.12+) presents users with a dedicated account creation screen but still allows them to skip it. Requiring account creation (version 3.14+) prevents users from proceeding with a purchase until they've created an account.
Which option should I choose for my app?
Which option should I choose for my app?
If your app has community and/or calendar features, we recommend enabling required account creation for the strongest prevention against unregistered users. If your app doesn't have these features, encouraging account creation is your best option.
What if my app is being rejected by Apple despite having community/calendar features?
What if my app is being rejected by Apple despite having community/calendar features?
Apple has recently become more stringent about required account creation. If your app is rejected despite having these features, please contact your App Launch Specialist for assistance.
How can I check which onboarding options are enabled for my app?
How can I check which onboarding options are enabled for my app?
Contact your Customer Success Manager or App Launch Specialist to verify your current settings.
Is there a way to automatically convert all unregistered users?
Is there a way to automatically convert all unregistered users?
No, unregistered users must individually go through the restore purchase process to create an account. There's no bulk conversion option available.