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App Developers Can Now Offer Pre-Orders Up to 180 Days Before an App's Release

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Apple today informed developers that they can offer pre-orders for apps up to 180 days prior to when it's released for download on the App Store, giving developers more time to build excitement for app features, services, and content.

apppreorder.jpg
Now you can let customers pre-order your app up to 180 days before it's released for download on the App Store. Take advantage of this longer lead time to build more excitement for your app's features, services, and content, and to encourage more pre-orders. Once your app is released, customers will be notified and it will automatically download to their device within 24 hours.
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Apple has been allowing developers to offer App Store pre-orders since 2017, with the pre-order feature letting customers make a purchase ahead of an app's release date. Pre-orders are available for both free and paid apps.

Prior to today's change, pre-orders could only be made available for up to 90 days before an app's release. Once the release date for an app rolls around, the app that has been pre-ordered is automatically downloaded to the customer's device, with paid apps charged at release.

Article Link: App Developers Can Now Offer Pre-Orders Up to 180 Days Before an App's Release
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/15/app-developers-preorders-180-days-before-launch/
Am I the only one who had no idea that Apple has allowed apps to be pre-ordered for the last 3 years?

I don't think there's been a single article on MR about any app being available for pre-order, but maybe I just missed it.

Games are the only category where you'd want to have pre-orders, I think... but we're talking about iOS, AKA, a platform nobody waits years for games to come to it.
 
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Does this count toward the 1 year at 30% cut to Apple? Curious

Edit: Curious because I am in business and have not heard. I typically see policy changes have multiple aspects to them given our complex regulatory landscape and so became curious if this will enable startups to get going with early funding, enable Apple to see some additional income, and thus ease some small part of the concern by startups of the 1 year at 30% and possibly begin other related changes by Apple over a few years - depending on success here. Of course thats an oversimplification of my interest, and my interest is just one of many who may want to know of such possible connection, if anyone here has heard. Thank you.
 
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I ran into this and thought it was an issue. My local eatery called Urban Plates has an app to order meals ahead of time for takeout. I tried to download the app but it said it was a "Pre-Order" app. The restaurant said their app has been available for Android for a long time. They had no idea that the iOS app wasn't available for use. I preordered the app and after 6 weeks I received an announcement from Apple that my app is ready and it was auto-installed. First I've ever heard of such, especially since the app is free. Never heard of pre-ordering a free app. lol.
 
i feel cheated.. not that you'll be charged immediately, cos your only charged when you can download, but just like Movies and TV shows, if i was hanging out to see something great,,, Apple would have killed me in an instant if it was delayed.
 
Pre-orders are certainly a nice feature (essential in most online stores, actually).... but did Apple ever implement DISCOUNT CODES before paying (downloading) an app? In most online stores (e.g. Amazon) this is a big selling point and a big marketing advantage for third party merchants.
 
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Does pre-order on digital goods make sense?

I thought the idea of pre-ordering is so a company can have a good gauge of demand and ensure enough inventory when the product launches. Makes total sense for a physical product. But for a digital product, what’s the reasoning? It’s digital product with no limit in inventory. Anybody can go in anytime and get it. What does pre-ordering get you? The idea of giving your money away sooner? :D
 
ian87w said:
Does pre-order on digital goods make sense?
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It does in many cases. Otherwise, how the heck do you even think Kickstarter and Go Fund Me exist to begin with? They often pre-fund (pre-order) many promised digital goods that don't materialize until many many months later.

And how about the pre-orders for many AAA games in the PC world? I know this is not something big in the Mac gaming sector (which is small in comparison), but pre-order discounts actually have existed and thrived for umm.... for years.

Care for another successful example? There's this thing called Steam. Bazillions of gamers pre-order and pre-purchase games (at a discount) even before they are ready for prime time. Other developers like Blizzard take your money and offer you a discount before their games are released.
 
I dont understand why 180 days, 90 days seems to be maximum for something pre order.

Anyone have any idea why? This isn't kickstarter. Or Physical Goods like Games. I dont understand why they need to extend it.
 
Solomani said:
It does in many cases. Otherwise, how the heck do you even think Kickstarter and Go Fund Me exist to begin with? They often pre-fund (pre-order) many promised digital goods that don't materialize until many many months later.

And how about the pre-orders for many AAA games in the PC world? I know this is not something big in the Mac gaming sector (which is small in comparison), but pre-order discounts actually have existed and thrived for umm.... for years.

Care for another successful example? There's this thing called Steam. Bazillions of gamers pre-order and pre-purchase games (at a discount) even before they are ready for prime time. Other developers like Blizzard take your money and offer you a discount before their games are released.
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I'm just going to highlight the relevant points (discounts) outside your condescending tone.
Yes, if there's a discount for pre-orders, that's one reason, for promotional purposes. Agree on that.
 
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ohmyrob said:
this is great news - i hate it when the apps i want are sold out.
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I've popped a like on this as I think you're being sarcastic, and rightfully so. But seriously - unless you're getting a discount is there an advantage to a pre-order?
I know sometimes they might keep you updated with progress but a lot of devs big and small have a blog page that you can follow anyway.
 
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