Terms of Service for a Mobile App: Free Template & What to Include
A privacy policy tells users what you do with their data. Terms of service tell users the rules for using your app — and, just as importantly, protect you when something goes wrong. If a user abuses your app, chargebacks a subscription, or sues over downtime, your terms are the document you'll be glad you had.
This guide covers whether you actually need terms, what belongs in them, how a EULA differs from terms of service, and a free, copy-ready template you can adapt for your mobile app today.
Plain-English disclaimer: This is general guidance, not legal advice. A template covers the common cases; it can't account for your specific business, jurisdiction, or risk. For apps with payments, sensitive data, or regulated activity, have a lawyer review your terms before you ship.
Do I need terms of service for my mobile app?
Here's the honest answer: unlike a privacy policy, terms of service aren't strictly mandated by Apple or Google for every app. But there are two big reasons nearly every real app should have them.
First, protection. Terms let you set acceptable-use rules, disclaim warranties, limit liability, handle refunds and cancellations, and define what happens if a user breaks the rules. Without them, you're relying on default law, which rarely favors the app owner.
Second, Apple's EULA rule. Apple automatically applies its standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA) to your app unless you provide your own. So your app effectively always has license terms — the only question is whether they're Apple's generic ones or yours. If you want terms tailored to your app (custom refund handling, content rules, subscription specifics), you provide a custom EULA that meets Apple's minimum requirements.
If your app has any of the following, you want your own terms:
- User accounts or logins
- Payments, subscriptions, or in-app purchases
- User-generated content (posts, uploads, comments)
- A community or messaging feature
- Any promise about uptime, results, or service levels
And remember: terms are separate from your privacy policy, which every app does need. If you haven't handled that yet, start with do you need a privacy policy for your app.
EULA vs. terms of service — what's the difference?
People use these interchangeably, but they cover different ground:
|
EULA |
Terms of Service |
| Scope |
Licenses the software itself |
Governs the whole relationship |
| Focuses on |
How you may install/use the app |
Accounts, payments, content, disputes |
| Typical for |
Downloadable software, apps |
Apps, SaaS, websites, marketplaces |
| Apple angle |
Apple applies a standard one by default |
You add your own for full coverage |
In practice, most mobile apps combine both into a single "Terms of Service" (or "Terms and Conditions") document that includes license language. That's the simplest approach and what the template below assumes.
If you do write a custom EULA to satisfy Apple, it must make clear that:
- The agreement is between the user and you, not Apple.
- You — not Apple — are solely responsible for the app and its content.
- The license is limited, revocable, and non-transferable, usable only on Apple devices the user owns or controls, and only as permitted by the App Store Terms of Service.
What to include in your app's terms of service
A solid set of terms for a mobile app covers these sections:
- Acceptance of terms — using the app means agreeing to them.
- License to use the app — what users may and may not do (the EULA-style clause).
- Eligibility & accounts — age requirements, account security, accurate info.
- Acceptable use — prohibited behavior (abuse, scraping, illegal use, reverse engineering).
- User-generated content — who owns it, the license you get, and your right to remove it.
- Payments & subscriptions — pricing, billing, renewals, refunds, and cancellation. Align this with the store's own billing rules.
- Third-party services — SDKs, APIs, and links you're not responsible for.
- Intellectual property — your ownership of the app, brand, and content.
- Disclaimers — the app is provided "as is," no guarantee of uptime or results.
- Limitation of liability — caps on what you're liable for.
- Termination — when and how you can suspend or close accounts.
- Governing law & disputes — which jurisdiction's law applies and how disputes are handled.
- Changes to the terms — your right to update them and how you'll notify users.
- Contact — a real email address.
Free terms of service template for a mobile app
Copy this, replace the [BRACKETED] fields, delete any clause that doesn't apply, and have a lawyer review it if your app involves payments or sensitive data.
TERMS OF SERVICE — [APP NAME]
Last updated: [DATE]
1. ACCEPTANCE
By downloading, accessing, or using [APP NAME] ("the App"), operated by
[COMPANY/DEVELOPER NAME] ("we," "us"), you agree to these Terms. If you do
not agree, do not use the App.
2. LICENSE
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license
to use the App for personal, non-commercial purposes on a device you own or
control, subject to these Terms and the applicable app store's terms.
3. ELIGIBILITY & ACCOUNTS
You must be at least [AGE] to use the App. You are responsible for keeping
your account credentials secure and for all activity under your account.
4. ACCEPTABLE USE
You agree not to: (a) use the App for any unlawful purpose; (b) reverse
engineer, decompile, or modify the App; (c) interfere with or disrupt the
App; (d) upload harmful, infringing, or abusive content.
5. USER CONTENT
You retain ownership of content you submit. You grant us a worldwide,
non-exclusive license to host and display it to operate the App. We may
remove content that violates these Terms.
6. PAYMENTS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
[If applicable] Purchases and subscriptions are billed through the app
store and governed by its billing terms. Renewals, refunds, and
cancellations are handled per store policy and any terms stated at purchase.
7. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
The App may use or link to third-party services. We are not responsible for
their content or practices.
8. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The App, its design, and its content are owned by us and protected by law.
These Terms do not transfer any ownership to you.
9. DISCLAIMERS
The App is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind. We do not
guarantee it will be uninterrupted, error-free, or fit for a particular
purpose.
10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the App.
11. TERMINATION
We may suspend or terminate your access at any time for violation of these
Terms.
12. GOVERNING LAW
These Terms are governed by the laws of [JURISDICTION], without regard to
conflict-of-law rules.
13. CHANGES
We may update these Terms. Continued use after changes means you accept the
updated Terms. The "Last updated" date reflects the latest version.
14. CONTACT
Questions? Contact us at [EMAIL].
Note (Apple devices): This agreement is between you and [COMPANY NAME], not
Apple. [COMPANY NAME], not Apple, is solely responsible for the App and its
content.
That last note is what keeps a custom EULA in line with Apple's minimum requirements.
Where to put it and how to publish faster
Like your privacy policy, your terms should live at a public URL and be accessible inside the app — a settings or about screen link works. Many makers publish both documents together and link to them from the same place.
The quickest path is to handle privacy and terms in one sitting. Generate your privacy policy first with the app privacy policy generator, then adapt the template above for your terms so both are ready before you build your store listing. If you want a step-by-step on the policy side, see creating a free app privacy policy in minutes.
With Adalo Studio, the privacy and legal tools sit alongside the screenshot and store-listing generators, so getting your legal pages done is part of the same publish-ready workflow. Designing is free; exporting assets and using the AI features is a one-time unlock or included with a paid Adalo plan — see pricing for details.
Get your terms in place before you submit, not after a user problem forces the issue. It's a one-hour job that saves a lot of headaches later.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need terms of service for my mobile app?
It's not strictly required by Apple or Google the way a privacy policy is, but it's strongly recommended for any app with accounts, payments, or user content. Terms set the rules of use and limit your liability. Note that Apple applies a standard EULA to your app by default unless you provide your own.
What's the difference between a EULA and terms of service?
A EULA (End User License Agreement) licenses the software itself — how a user may install and use your app. Terms of service are broader, governing the whole relationship: acceptable use, accounts, payments, content, disputes, and liability. Many apps combine both into one document.
Can I use a free terms of service template for my app?
Yes. A template gives you the standard clauses most apps need, and you fill in your app name, jurisdiction, and specifics. For apps handling payments, sensitive data, or regulated activity, have a lawyer review it before you publish.