Handle charge decline during app installation on Shopify? - shopify

Question

I'm trying to not allow users access to my app if they decline the payment charge. If the charge was declined then the app shouldn't be installed.
From Shopify API doc, there is return_url when the charge was accepted:
"return_url": "http://super-duper.shopifyapps.com"
The URL where the merchant is redirected after accepting the charge.
But, when the charge was declined, Shopify only redirects user to the Apps tab in store. https://www.screencast.com/t/yCykunWY
Is there any way to handle if the charge was declined?

Answer 1

Yes, there is a way.
First of all, visit the following page from the official Shopify forum and where you will find a summary of the "charge workflow".
Now, let say that you are using the REST API in order to create recurring application charge. According to the documentation, if there is no error, a typical response should look like that:
HTTP/1.1 201 Created
{
"recurring_application_charge": {
"id": 1029266959,
"name": "Super Duper Plan",
"api_client_id": 755357713,
"price": "10.00",
"status": "pending",
"return_url": "http://super-duper.shopifyapps.com/",
"billing_on": null,
"created_at": "2022-04-05T13:28:11-04:00",
"updated_at": "2022-04-05T13:28:11-04:00",
"test": null,
"activated_on": null,
"cancelled_on": null,
"trial_days": 0,
"trial_ends_on": null,
"decorated_return_url": "http://super-duper.shopifyapps.com/?charge_id=1029266959",
"confirmation_url": "https://jsmith.myshopify.com/admin/charges/755357713/1029266959/RecurringApplicationCharge/confirm_recurring_application_charge?signature=BAh7BzoHaWRpBA9eWT06EmF1dG9fYWN0aXZhdGVU--f6da6826caf9441c9fc206dd50a0882bd41fd770"
}
}
There are at least two parameters you shall keep in your records (most likely in a data base together with a relation with the corresponding shop): the status (which is active if the merchant accepted the subscription) and the id of the charge.
Now, next time the merchant attempts to use your app, before allowing access to your app, check from your records if the status is active. If not make a request to update the status using the Retrieve a single charge endpoint with the charge id you got when you created the charge. if it is still not active keep denying access. You may also create a new charge and point the merchant to that charge's page so he can accept the subscription this time.