Apple Announces Billing Grace Period for App Store Subscriptions

[Jessica Lares]

Borderline dishonest? Really? In the App Store, you just tap your account and tap manage subscriptions. It takes like two seconds and is blatantly obvious. Where else could they put it—on your home screen with big red flashing lights? Haha.

A lot of people don't have that icon set because you either have to do it manually, or it grabs the one you associated to your Mac when you set it up for the first time. The default light gray color they're using blends in with the white background of the store. I know the last thing we want is another screen to go through when setting up a new iPhone/iPad/etc, but that would be the easiest fix because you could explain to the user what it was for and point out that it shows up in the Apple apps.

The account page is otherwise fine.

 

[himanshumodi]

Next they should announce a feature where they make it easy for the user to find their subscriptions. I used make apps, but haven't for several years, and I had to search on YouTube to get help finding my subscriptions as I couldn't figure it out where they were in the Setting app (I had just subscribed to my first subscription). I submit, it's bordering dishonest how they've managed to hide them away so well, like they want to ensure people forget to unsubscribe.

Borderline dishonest? Really? In the App Store, you just tap your account and tap manage subscriptions. It takes like two seconds and is blatantly obvious. Where else could they put it—on your home screen with big red flashing lights? Haha.

Agree with Macfly. The path currently is: Settings > iTunes & App stores > Tap on Apple Id > Subscriptions

It's not blatantly obvious and takes more than 2 seconds, even if you know where to go. Why such a convoluted path? Why don't "subscriptions" show up when you type "subscriptions" in search option in settings. For an OS that boasts of intuitiveness, this cannot be anything other than a deliberate attempt to hide the option to remove subscription.

 

[Codpeace]

What about the opposite problem?!
I would like a grace period when a subscription I forget I even had renews automatically.
Even a single day-long grace period would suffice where you can cancel and get a refund on an unwanted periodic subscription.
Based on the headline, I was under the impression that’s what this new offering was

This times about a million. Or zero — because I eschew ALL AppStore subscriptions because I can’t remember them, there’s no built in 1-week (or whatever) warning, and they’re hard to find when you do remember them.

The only answer, for me, is to AVOID THEM ALL.

 

[Steve121178]

Next they should announce a feature where they make it easy for the user to find their subscriptions. I used make apps, but haven't for several years, and I had to search on YouTube to get help finding my subscriptions as I couldn't figure it out where they were in the Setting app (I had just subscribed to my first subscription). I submit, it's bordering dishonest how they've managed to hide them away so well, like they want to ensure people forget to unsubscribe.

Or a notification 28, 14, 7 & 1 day before renewal would be nice. In fact, that's what should be happening.

 

[Codpeace]

A lot of complaining on here about Apple not doing this and that to hold the user’s hand when it comes to billing.

How about YOU remember when your bills are due. They send out a reminder and if you don’t check your email that’s on you. It’s part of being a responsible adult.

iOS 13 makes subscriptions 3 taps away from the user. Sure, it wasn’t that intuitive on 12 but to argue that it was for pure deception...nice try. Easy to shift the blame when it’s something you forgot about.

Apple could even do a push notification reminder before a subscription renews but guess what the average person would do? Either swipe to delete it without reading it or simply ignore it.

Take responsibility people.

Sanctimonious much? You sure are a perfected human!

Check back when you’re 50+ and have some kids and a dying parent and relatives in the Bahamas and... Tell us then how we’re in greater control of our lives than are the giant corporations we deal with daily.

 

[Xiroteus]

What about the opposite problem?!
I would like a grace period when a subscription I forget I even had renews automatically.
Even a single day-long grace period would suffice where you can cancel and get a refund on an unwanted periodic subscription.
Based on the headline, I was under the impression that’s what this new offering was

That's what I thought as that is the REAL problem people may have. (I set Alexa just in case it's an odd bill out to avoid it slipping my mind)

 

[Expos of 1969]

If you cancel Apple Music mid-way through a month you will then receive a message from Apple a few days prior to the date your subscription will expire advising you of this date and asking if you wish to renew your subscription. This is a good way of keeping on top of your subscription if you don't wish to have it auto renew every month. Do other subscriptions not work this way?

 

[russell_314]

I’ve been burned twice now by this. Got the email that I had been charged. Sure, I could contact Apple but life is busy for me right now.

Give us a 24-48 hour grace period to cancel

Wait a minute... You're too busy to remember to unsubscribe and too busy to call Apple when they remind you. This doesn't sound like the problem is with Apple. Don't get me wrong I'm the worst at remembering stuff to the point of not renting from redbox but I don't fault redbox when they don't stop by my house to remind me.

 

[mariusignorello]

Sanctimonious much? You sure are a perfected human!

Check back when you’re 50+ and have some kids and a dying parent and relatives in the Bahamas and... Tell us then how we’re in greater control of our lives than are the giant corporations we deal with daily.

Oh please cut the melodrama. I run two businesses, take care of my older parents and quite a few other things that are none of your business and can still remember when my bills are due. And no, I’m not perfect. Far from it, thank you very much, but I do take responsibility for my finances.
[doublepost=1568360110][/doublepost]

life is busy for me right now

Yawn.

You’re wasting time complaining on an internet forum when you could be digging though your subscriptions at this very moment.

Now how busy are you, huh?

 

[mike...]

I noticed another change recently. Previously if Apple decided to bill you for something and your payment was declined, you would no longer be able to update any apps you've already paid for until you fix the billing issue. Now apps can be updated even when you have an outstanding bill.

 

[btrach144]

When you sign up for a subscription, add a Calendar event for date a subscription was started/when it renews. Have the Repeat setting set to Every Month. Set the Alert to have your iPhone alert you in 1 week or 2 days before event. Set a Second Alert for 1 day before event... just in case.

Now you'll know every month when and what subscription you have is due to renew and you can decide then whether to let it auto renew or cancel/suspend it.

Thanks for a useful reply, unlike the other two replies. I'll check this out.

 

[ginkobiloba]

Actually what we really need is no subscription at all. Just make it easy to demo apps, and make it easy for developers to sell upgrades .

Developers has been asking for that , for years, and Apple is just unwilling, or incapable to provide it, and instead has been strongly pushing devs to sell subscriptions instead.

 

[russell_314]

Actually what we really need is no subscription at all. Just make it easy to demo apps, and make it easy for developers to sell upgrades .
The only reason Apple started strongly pushing developers to do subscriptions , when all they were asking for is demos and paid upgrades, is their peculiar technical inability to offer so on the mighty AppStore, or perhaps they’re just unwilling to do so for a more obscure reason.

Actually subscriptions are so devs make more money. Apps with a flat fee aren't profitable after everyone who wanted it buys it

I super dislike subscriptions by the way

 

[gnasher729]

How about YOU remember when your bills are due. They send out a reminder and if you don’t check your email that’s on you. It’s part of being a responsible adult.

That's why I have a powerful computer (iPhone). It knows exactly when bills are due, it's there to make my life easier, so why on earth should I have to remember this? Your suggestion is totally irrational.

 

[FairlyKors]

Borderline dishonest? Really? In the App Store, you just tap your account and tap manage subscriptions. It takes like two seconds and is blatantly obvious. Where else could they put it—on your home screen with big red flashing lights? Haha.

It used to be *really* hard to find—and it did border on dishonest.
[doublepost=1568371077][/doublepost]

Actually subscriptions are so devs make more money. Apps with a flat fee aren't profitable after everyone who wanted it buys it

I super dislike subscriptions by the way

Imagine... not making money off s product after everyone who wanted it has bought it...

 

[eightdotthree]

What about the opposite problem?!
I would like a grace period when a subscription I forget I even had renews automatically.
Even a single day-long grace period would suffice where you can cancel and get a refund on an unwanted periodic subscription.
Based on the headline, I was under the impression that’s what this new offering was

Or a subscription you have canceled several times, yet you're still billed for it. I'm looking you directly in the eyes Linkedin

 

[agffth]

I want to be able to switch the due dates(prorate) for all my subscriptions and use different payment methods while we are at it.

Yes. This. Getting all subscriptions being billed at once would be good.

 

[Tech198]

What about the opposite problem?!
I would like a grace period when a subscription I forget I even had renews automatically.
Even a single day-long grace period would suffice where you can cancel and get a refund on an unwanted periodic subscription.
Based on the headline, I was under the impression that’s what this new offering was

Doesn't Apple email people?

 

[macduke]

A lot of people don't have that icon set because you either have to do it manually, or it grabs the one you associated to your Mac when you set it up for the first time. The default light gray color they're using blends in with the white background of the store. I know the last thing we want is another screen to go through when setting up a new iPhone/iPad/etc, but that would be the easiest fix because you could explain to the user what it was for and point out that it shows up in the Apple apps.

The account page is otherwise fine.

They actually do this now in iOS 13 when you go into iMessages it prompts you to setup your photo for that and that is also used everywhere else. I set a new one when doing that and can confirm that's the same photo that shows up on the corner of the App Store now.
[doublepost=1568661186][/doublepost]

Agree with Macfly. The path currently is: Settings > iTunes & App stores > Tap on Apple Id > Subscriptions

It's not blatantly obvious and takes more than 2 seconds, even if you know where to go. Why such a convoluted path? Why don't "subscriptions" show up when you type "subscriptions" in search option in settings. For an OS that boasts of intuitiveness, this cannot be anything other than a deliberate attempt to hide the option to remove subscription.

Did you not read what I wrote? Open the App Store, tap your circular account picture at the top right, tap manage subscriptions. I was about to make a screen recording of it to show you that it literally takes 2 seconds, but then I realized I'd have to edit out my personal information.