Apple pre-order for games: current documented limits
Platform change log of Apple App Store pre-order limits for apps and games from Apple’s current pre-order documentation.
Apple’s current pre-order documentation sets the limits operators should quote — not third-party blogs. Brand-new apps can set a release day 2 to 180 days after the pre-order is published; existing apps entering new regions can use 2 to 365 days. Pre-orders are configured in App Store Connect under Pricing and Availability; the product page shows an expected release date. Apple states customers are not notified by Apple if you change the date or remove the pre-order, so marketing must carry that communication. On release day the app automatically downloads for pre-order customers who remain eligible. The preorder_date receipt field can unlock thanks messaging or rewards (e.g. gems). Freemium Games restates that players can pre-order up to 180 days before publish and may receive an in-game gift.
Applicability table
| Field | Documented value | Owner | Next check |
|---|---|---|---|
| New app window | 2–180 days after pre-order publish | Store ops | Re-read Apple pre-order page |
| Existing app new region | 2–365 days | Store ops | Same |
| Date-change buyer notice | Not sent by Apple | UA + CRM | Plan first-party comms |
| Reward hook | preorder_date receipt field | Client eng | Implement before promising |
| CPP / PPO on pre-order | Allowed for existing apps’ pre-order pages per Apple | UA | Confirm eligibility |
Limits
Based on Apple marketing/developer pages only. No App Store Connect UI screenshot is attached. Country-by-country release staggering is supported but must be configured explicitly.
