Apple Introduces Subscription Codes for Developers

Wednesday September 2, 2020 1:57 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today informed developers about an upcoming Subscription Code feature that's designed to allow developers to offer up discounted or free auto-renewable subscriptions to lure customers.

Later this year, you'll be able to acquire, retain, and win back subscribers with subscription offer codes: unique, alphanumeric codes that provide free or discounted prices for auto-renewable subscriptions. Provide your one-time use codes digitally or offline at physical events, alongside products, and more. Customers on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later can redeem offer codes on the App Store, through a one-time code redemption URL, or within your app if you've implemented the presentCodeRedemptionSheet API.

Apple says that developers can give customers unique, alphanumeric codes that are one time use, provided at digital or physical events, alongside products, and more. Subscription codes are an iOS and iPadOS 14 feature and are coming later this year.

More information about Subscription Codes can be found on Apple's developer website.

Tag: Apple Developer Program

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Top Rated Comments

randolorian

80 months ago

Just what Apple customers are asking for -- more ways to rent software.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

filchermcurr

80 months ago

"...able to acquire, retain, and win back subscribers..."

The wording of this makes me feel like the dirty, cheap commodity that I am.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Rogifan

80 months ago

Just what Apple customers are asking for -- more ways rent software.

Well it’s what Apple is asking for. They want developers on subscription models since they get a cut of it. 30% of a monthly fee is better than 30% of a one time purchase.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dvanwinkle

80 months ago

What is this thing that they speak of, offline and "physical events". Are people still gathering together and *eek* handing things to other people?!

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rwxx

80 months ago

Too bad the subscription model for software is here to stay 😞

I think the subscription model has a lot of advantages. The problem is, most developers aren’t pricing their apps appropriately given the new model. An app that might have cost $50 to buy is suddenly $50/year. It’s ridiculous. Developers need to get real and stop overcharging (I’m looking at you 1Password) or customers will continue to resist the subscription model.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

chris1958

80 months ago

[LIST=1]
* Apple continues to invest into Research and Development to make the App Store *better* for developers. This costs money.
* Developers complain about having to pay for new features and services.

Hey, I'm all for discussing adjustments to the 30%, but to expect Apple to operate without any revenues is unreasonable.

* Paid apps make revenue via store purchases.
* Free apps make revenue via ad impressions.
* Developers expect Apple to operate without revenues?

You obviously don't know the unreasonable high revenue that Apple makes with the App Store. You should appreciate how much time, money and effort is necessary to create a good app and then compare this with the effort Apple is putting into improving the App Store.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Apple Introduces Subscription Codes for Developers

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