StoreKit is Broken

StoreKit, Apple's in-app purchase framework introduced in 2009, revolutionized app monetization beyond upfront download fees but has maintained a flawed design since its inception. The framework uses a queue and observer system where developers add purchase requests to a queue and receive notifications upon state changes, yet it fails to provide a mechanism to track these transactions back to their originating requests, leading to significant user experience issues. Many developers seek workarounds through libraries like SwiftyStoreKit, which promise simplified transaction handling but often exacerbate the problem by misaligning callbacks with transaction outcomes. The article suggests that a simple API enhancement, such as returning an SKPaymentTransaction from addPayment, could resolve these issues, ultimately improving user satisfaction and reducing support costs, yet such changes have not been realized over the years.