Apple has announced a new feature that will make managing in-app subscriptions on iPhones and iPads easier for customers. In the past, users had to navigate to their Apple ID settings to manage subscription payment failures. But starting this summer, users will be able to resolve billing issues directly in-app if a subscription renewal fails.
Streamlining in-app subscriptions: Apple’s solution to lapsed payments
As detailed by Apple, his change will simplify the process in-app subscriptions process. Customers will no longer have to go through the hassle of navigating to their Apple ID settings to manage billing issues. Instead, a pop-up message will prompt users to update their payment method directly in the application, resulting in a reduction in lapsed subscriptions.
Starting this summer, if an auto-renewable subscription doesn’t renew due to a billing issue, a system-provided sheet appears in your app with a prompt that lets customers update their payment method for their Apple ID.
The new feature is part of the StoreKit framework and will be available with iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4. Developers do not need to take any additional steps to adopt this feature. Apple has made it easy for developers to test the feature using Sandbox.
This change will be beneficial for both customers and developers. Customers will be more likely to renew their subscriptions when they encounter a billing issue. This, in turn, will result in more revenue for developers.
This is not the first time that Apple has made changes to its in-app subscription process. In 2019, Apple changed its policy on app subscriptions, requiring developers to offer at least one option priced at $0.99 or less. The company has also been working to make its subscription process more transparent for users.
In conclusion, Apple’s new feature for managing in-app subscriptions will make the process easier and more efficient for users. It will reduce the number of lapsed subscriptions and result in more revenue for developers. This change is part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to improve its in-app subscription process and make it more transparent for users. Developers can begin testing the feature using Sandbox today, and it will be available to users this summer.
