Apple Adds Extra Confirmation Step When Purchasing Subscriptions in Apps

[MacRumors]

Apple has introduced an extra confirmation step when App Store users purchase an app available on a subscription basis or tap to subscribe to a premium service in an app, making sure no accidental subscription purchases occur.

The new subscription feature was highlighted on Twitter by developer David Barnard this afternoon and appears to have been implemented recently.

With this new confirmation step, when you download an app with a subscription or tap on a subscription option in an app where the subscription feature is optional, you'll see a second subscription popup warning after initially confirming a purchase with Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad.

Whoa! Apple added an additional confirmation step for subscriptions. This new alert comes after you confirm with Touch ID/Face ID. I hope they address this in a more elegant way in iOS 13, but I'm thrilled Apple took a definitive step to curb scam subscriptions. 👏🏻 @pschiller pic.twitter.com/oktaEVdx0o - David Barnard (@drbarnard) April 11, 2019

The popup warns that the subscription will continue unless canceled in the Settings app at least one day before a subscription period ends, requiring users to confirm the notice with an OK button or tap cancel to cancel the initiation of the subscription.

Adding a second confirmation screen to subscription purchases will thwart app developers who have been using nefarious tactics to trick users into purchasing subscriptions or making subscription costs and terms unclear.

Accidental subscription purchases have been an ongoing problem with Touch ID iPhones where a purchase could be made unintentionally when putting a finger on the Home button (such as when pressing to exit out of the App Store), but the new confirmation screen makes it clearer that you're initiating a recurring subscription on both Face ID and Touch ID iPhones.

Article Link: Apple Adds Extra Confirmation Step When Purchasing Subscriptions in Apps

 

[44267547]

Good. Another way that Apple is protecting the user and is trying to hault scamming subscriptions.

 

[needsomecoffee]

Incredibly late. Billions have been stolen, but at least they got it done.

 

[iBreatheApple]

A more elegant way? All you do is tap confirm. Does he want it to spiral into view with a cute animation or drop down as a banner or something? The point of this is specifically to be a hard stop requiring attention and user interaction.

 

[now i see it]

automatic renewal of subscriptions is bogus. They should all have to be manually renewed each month with a simple prompt screen. Automatic rollover monthly payments should be only available as an opt in option. Not mandatory.

 

[dannyyankou]

automatic renewal of subscriptions is bogus. They should all have to be manually renewed each month with a simple prompt screen. It's a money grab

Well that would defeat the purpose of a subscription. If I know I’m going to use Netflix indefinitely for at least the next few years, I’d rather it renew automatically instead of me having to keep track of everything. They should send you a notification when it’s about to renew though.

 

[kellyrev]

automatic renewal of subscriptions is bogus. They should all have to be manually renewed each month with a simple prompt screen. It's a money grab

I'm not sure you've grasped the concept of what a subscription is...

---
sub·scrip·tion
noun
1.

1. the action of making or agreeing to make an advance payment in order to receive or participate in something.

 

[dannyyankou]

I'm not sure you've grasped the concept of what a subscription is...

---
sub·scrip·tion
noun
1.

1. the action of making or agreeing to make an advance payment in order to receive or participate in something.

To be fair, what he’s suggesting would still fit that definition. It says nothing about automatic renewal.

 

[AngerDanger]

A more elegant way? All you do is tap confirm. Does he want it to spiral into view with a cute animation or drop down as a banner or something? The point of this is specifically to be a hard stop requiring attention and user interaction.

I mean, sure, as long as it isn't anything too obtrusive or distracting. A subtle spiral could be nice.

Incredibly late. Billions have been stolen, but at least they got it done.

[citation needed]

 

[Plutonius]

"Do you really want to get another subscription ?"

"Yes or Yes"


I wonder how many people realize what all the subscriptions are costing them ?

 

[iBreatheApple]

I'm not sure you've grasped the concept of what a subscription is...

---
sub·scrip·tion
noun
1.

1. the action of making or agreeing to make an advance payment in order to receive or participate in something.

Well, technically speaking, that definition does not require the recurrence to happen automatically.That said, I think it is implied and understood with the modern usage of the word that it will, in fact, automatically happen. I would be quite annoyed if I had to confirm my subscriptions each month.

 

[needsomecoffee]

[citation needed]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnko...or-even-4700-each-year-per-user/#7b1eb936162a

Only Apple knows the total amount, but billions is not unlikely given developers commonly scamming so much per month. This has been known about for a long time. Apple, of course, made its 30% during that time, and undoubtedly knew of the issues (along with IAP stealing from kids @ FBook). Really sad how profits affect large corp's decisions.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Really sad how profits affect large corp's decisions.

Unless the corporation is non-profit, profits always will and should affect decisions.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Better late than never.

 

[dannyyankou]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnko...or-even-4700-each-year-per-user/#7b1eb936162a

Only Apple knows the total amount, but billions is not unlikely given developers commonly scamming so much per month. This has been known about for a long time. Apple, of course, made its 30% during that time, and undoubtedly knew of the issues (along with IAP stealing from kids @ FBook). Really sad how profits affect large corp's decisions.

Apple paid $34 billion to developers in 2018, including subscriptions and one time purchases. So since Apple takes a 30% cut, let’s say total App Store spending was $110 billion. For there to have been at least $1 billion stolen, 1% of every dollar spent would’ve went to scammers. Do you think this is the case?

 

[Tech198]

Its good Apple is adding a way for users to "know" what they already know.. All you gotta do is read the description. Good on one part, but bad on the other.

I like confirmations, but unfortunately it must be done these days to protect us. (not only from ourselves)

 

[Remy149]

automatic renewal of subscriptions is bogus. They should all have to be manually renewed each month with a simple prompt screen. Automatic rollover monthly payments should be only available as an opt in option. Not mandatory.

That’s sounds annoying

 

[citysnaps]

Really sad how profits affect large corp's decisions.

Such as developing and selling products people might want to purchase?

 

[Osxguy]

I think they should have an audit option about every six months. I go through about every two or so months and think to myself have i used this to make it worth the amount.. usually I unsubscribe and dont miss it...

 

[hipnetic]

Sounds like a half-assed attempt at addressing some very real problems. I don't need a pop-up notification to alert me to something that I *just* did. I need a pop-up alert for something that's about to happen. Sure, if we're talking about Netflix or some other respectable company charging me a $10/month subscription, this isn't a big deal. My concern (which I've been hit with - blame my wife) are situations where you download a "free" app, get an automatic "free trial" subscription, and after that free trial, it automatically converts to a $100/year (or whatever) subscription.

It would also help if Apple didn't make it so damned difficult to locate all of the subscriptions you've purchased through the App Store. There should be a quick and easy way to find all of your current subscriptions, but there isn't. It's buried through a convoluted mess of menus that aren't intuitive at all.

 

[Crowbot]

Well that would defeat the purpose of a subscription. If I know I’m going to use Netflix indefinitely for at least the next few years, I’d rather it renew automatically instead of me having to keep track of everything. They should send you a notification when it’s about to renew though.

They do. I get notifications weeks and then just before renewals.

 

[meaning-matters]

Cancelling a subscription is bloody hard to find. iOS Settings app search doesn't know the 'subscription' keyword (anymore). Really bad.

 

[az431]

Apple needs to allow people to cancel within 24 hours after a subscription renewis, rather than force them to take action 24 hours before.

 

[StyxMaker]

Sounds like a half-assed attempt at addressing some very real problems. I don't need a pop-up notification to alert me to something that I *just* did. I need a pop-up alert for something that's about to happen. Sure, if we're talking about Netflix or some other respectable company charging me a $10/month subscription, this isn't a big deal. My concern (which I've been hit with - blame my wife) are situations where you download a "free" app, get an automatic "free trial" subscription, and after that free trial, it automatically converts to a $100/year (or whatever) subscription.

It would also help if Apple didn't make it so damned difficult to locate all of the subscriptions you've purchased through the App Store. There should be a quick and easy way to find all of your current subscriptions, but there isn't. It's buried through a convoluted mess of menus that aren't intuitive at all.

Open the App Store
Click on your avatar (upper right corner)
Select ‘manage subscriptions’ from the menu

 

[needsomecoffee]

Apple paid $34 billion to developers in 2018, including subscriptions and one time purchases. So since Apple takes a 30% cut, let’s say total App Store spending was $110 billion. For there to have been at least $1 billion stolen, 1% of every dollar spent would’ve went to scammers. Do you think this is the case?

Someone did an analysis of how many of the top grossing apps used this duplicitous trickery. Do not want to track down the link, but the number was shockingly high- SHOCKING. These apps were all solely designed to trick unaware users into clicking and approving a subscription. Unlike the suggestion above that this is obvious, it can be set up pretty easily using a dark dialog pattern during install. Really, Apple should have shut this down the first week it became obvious. However, there was LOTS of profit made from that potential date until this week.

Re: the standard "their job is to make profit". That is so tiring. Facebook knew that parents of kids were being ripped off by duplicitous IAP games that took advantage of their young kids. FBook refused refunds when aggrieved parents sought reversals. FBook literally referred to such parents as "whales" - they knew and approved of the targeting.

Making an honest profit is one thing, these types of decisions are another. Tim & the other C-Level execs have enjoyed billions of personal gains during this period (Tim's $700 million alone should be enough to give anyone pause). The one defining trait Steve had was he absolutely did not kowtow to hedge fund managers who want near-term profits above all else. I am pretty sure he would not have ridden this wave of profiteering as did Tim, Mark, & Co.