Market intelligence

PURE v3.31.0 breaks subscriptions, fueling scam accusations in August 2026

PURE's version 3.31.0 update, released August 25, 2026, sparked a user backlash after introducing what appears to be a critical subscription bug. Users report paying for features that do not activate, amplifying existing frustrations with the app's aggressive paywall and perceived fake profiles.

3 min read
The update seems to have exacerbated existing paywall issues, leading to a broken subscription system and increased accusations of fake profiles, making the app unusable for many paying users.
PURE: Open-Minded Dating App
On this page
  1. Update Backlash
  2. Vague Release
  3. Subscription Failure
  4. User Reception
  5. Monetization at Risk
  6. Verdict

Key takeaways

  1. 01PURE's v3.31.0 update coincided with a rating drop from 2.42 to 1.67 stars.
  2. 02The primary user complaint is a new bug where paid subscriptions fail to activate after purchase.
  3. 03The update's generic 'Bugs fixed' release note gave no warning of the payment system issues.
  4. 04This payment failure has intensified long-standing user accusations of fake profiles and a 'scam' business model.
  5. 05The app, which had over 489,000 downloads in the prior 30 days, relies on a subscription model that now appears broken for some users.
  6. 06Prior to the problematic update, the publisher had announced a new safety feature, 'My Media Rules', on August 12.

Update BacklashLead

Online Classifieds AG's PURE dating app version 3.31.0, released August 25, 2026, has triggered a sharp negative reaction from users. The update coincides with a wave of complaints about a broken subscription system and has amplified accusations of fake profiles.

Vague ReleaseRelease Summary

The official App Store release notes for version 3.31.0 were minimal, stating only, "Bugs fixed, performance improved." No new features were announced with this release. This update followed an August 12 announcement from the publisher about a new safety feature, 'My Media Rules,' which gives users control over media received in chats. However, this feature predates the v3.31.0 update that caused the user sentiment drop.

Subscription FailureBreaking Changes

The most significant issue emerging after the update is a critical bug in the app's monetization system. Users report that paid subscriptions are not activating after purchase, effectively taking their money without providing the service. One 2-star reviewer on v3.31.0 stated, "I just bought the sub but it's not popping up anywhere so i feel like i got ripped off."

This failure has rendered the app unusable for paying customers, as PURE's model requires payment for most interactions. The bug appears to be a technical regression, not a deliberate change, but its impact on the core user experience is severe.

User ReceptionUser Reception

The payment bug has inflamed pre-existing user skepticism about the app's value. Before the update, reviews frequently criticized the aggressive paywall. After v3.31.0, these complaints have escalated into accusations of the app being a "scam."

A 1-star review on the new version reads, "Don’t trust this app. They make a lot money what appears to be fake profiles. I have paid for gift and it’s instantly not accepted." This sentiment is echoed by another user who noted, "It can be all fake profiles to be honest." The failure to deliver paid services seems to have confirmed the worst fears of a user base already wary of the app's business model.

Monetization at RiskMonetization

The PURE app operates on a subscription-first model, which is essential for its revenue. The app saw over 489,000 downloads in the 30 days before the update, indicating a substantial user base being funneled toward its paid tiers.[3] In-app purchase information lists plans including a weekly option at $13.49 and an annual subscription for $79.99. The failure of this system directly threatens the app's primary revenue stream and alienates the paying users central to its financial success.

VerdictExpert Verdict

The confluence of a critical payment bug and long-standing user grievances puts PURE at a precarious point. The immediate challenge for publisher Online Classifieds AG is to ship a hotfix for the subscription failure to prevent further alienation of its paying user base.

Longer-term, this incident suggests the app's monetization strategy may be unsustainable without a stronger value proposition. The publisher will likely need to address both the technical faults and the persistent user concerns about profile authenticity to rebuild trust and justify its premium pricing.

Citations

  1. [1]

    The update to version 3.31.0 was followed by a significant drop in user ratings and a rise in complaints about broken subscriptions.

    "The update, which official notes described only as "Bugs fixed, performance improved," coincided with a surge in user complaints about a broken subscription system, where paid features failed to activate after purchase."
  2. [2]

    Following the v3.31.0 update, the app's average rating fell from 2.42 to 1.67 stars.

    "The release of version 3.31.0 of the PURE dating app on August 25, 2026, triggered a significant negative shift in user sentiment, causing the average App Store rating to plummet from 2.42 to 1.67 stars."
  3. [3]

    In the 30 days before the update, the PURE app had over 489,000 downloads on iOS in the US.

    "In the 30 days preceding the update, PURE had over 489,000 downloads on iOS in the United States."

Sources

9 references

Maxime Doussin, CTO at MWM

Maxime Doussin

CTO

Maxime Doussin is the CTO of MWM, where he leads engineering, data infrastructure, and the mobile-app market-intelligence platform. He writes MWM's weekly app trend analysis, drawing on proprietary ranking data covering millions of iOS and Android apps across 150+ countries.

This article is an independent editorial analysis. App names, trademarks, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Market data and rankings referenced are based on MWM's proprietary estimates.

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