Technology
Apple will let app developers give free or discounted subscriptions that give codes.
Apple will soon be allowing developers to sell discounted or free subscriptions through new coupon codes, the company has announced. Developers will be able to deliver these single-use codes either physically or electronically, which Apple says may help them attract new users, maintain existing ones, or "win back" lapsed customers. Apple says the feature is arriving later this year and will be available to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 customers.
Ios developers have traditionally been able to sell discounted pricing or exclusive subscription packages on Apple devices, but new codes can allow developers more granular power.
Developers will be able to distribute the codes either in-person or online, according to a new section added to Apple's developer documentation. For example, codes may be made available in addition to the purchase of a product or sent via e-mail. Customers will be able to redeem them through the App Store, the web or the in-app directly. An example screenshot of Apple (above) shows an offer redemption screen that gives one month of free subscription before returning to its regular $4.99 monthly price.
The new functionality comes as Apple faces fierce criticism from the likes of Epic Games, Hey email developer Basecamp, and others about the perceived Apple Tax. With a few exceptions, developers are expected to use Apple's built-in payment system , which means that they are forced to minimize all subscriptions or in-app transactions by 30%. New offer codes may not radically alter this model, but they do give developers a little more flexibility in how to gain and maintain subscribers.
