Developers Now Able to Create Subscription Codes to Lure New and Returning Subscribers

[MacRumors]

Apple today informed developers that they can now take advantage of subscription codes, which can be provided to customers to allow them to sign up for subscriptions at a discounted price or for free for a specified duration.

Developers are able to create unique, alphanumeric codes, which Apple says can be used to acquire, retain, and win back subscribers. Codes can be provided digitally, offline at physical events, alongside products, and more.

iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 users can redeem subscription codes through the App Store using a one-time code redemption URL or within an app when the proper API has been implemented. More information on subscription codes can be found on Apple's website.

Article Link: Developers Now Able to Create Subscription Codes to Lure New and Returning Subscribers

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I literally got the Developer app notification right after I read the title. You guys are fast, MR.

 

[nattK]

Will this allow student/education subscriptions?

 

[Drogba11]

Naw, you can keep your subscriptions, code or not.

 

[Btaylor_prod]

Not a fan of the iOS subscription model.
iOS apps never feel like full fledged software. Except for the outliers most of the apps lack important feature you would expect in desktop software. There are also so many apps that do close to the same thing, with slightly different features. This almost forces you to try a few of the apps before you buy the full versions. I would rather purchase a few apps rather than sign up for multiple subscriptions just to find the one I really liked.
Compounding the problem is the fact that I hardly use the apps that I have. It would be crazy if all my iPhone apps were subscriptions. I would be paying over $100 a month just for apps I never use. 🤦‍♂️

 

[Kabeyun]

The most effective way for a developer to “lure” me is to offer their app for purchase instead of rent.

 

[Mansu944]

Screw subscriptions. And I mean that.

 

[ksec]

Nearly 50% of App Subscriber never renew past their first year, or has credit card / iTunes Credit issues, so that App Store 15% past first year revenue sharing aren't reached.

I cant help but think Apple is pushing the Subscription Model not because it is better for their developers, but because it allows them to have a steady stream of App Store revenue.

 

[Apleeseed84]

I’ve been scammed out 200 bucks over the years because of the free trials I forget to cancel. Can’t fight those refunds because “you agreed” to pay up, even though I had no intention to do so. Things happens to keep track of those trial periods I guess, oh well lives and learn.

 

[Digital Dude]

Nearly 50% of App Subscriber never renew past their first year, or has credit card / iTunes Credit issues, so that App Store 15% past first year revenue sharing aren't reached.

I cant help but think Apple is pushing the Subscription Model not because it is better for their developers, but because it allows them to have a steady stream of App Store revenue.

Those of us that have been around a few decades with the big A' can see how the company has changed. Just as I am reaching for my wallet, they now grab my wrist and want it to come out faster.

 

[Smartass]

They can stick these subscriptions up the place where the sun dont shine. I dont know where and when this thing became popular, but it should be outlawed.

 

[0279317]

"They" don't want us to own anything anymore. Music, software, and now computers. I will not be on the permanent payment plan. "They" are trying to enervate me, to wear me down to subscribe. Not, going, to, happen.

 

[0279317]

Not a fan of the iOS subscription model.
iOS apps never feel like full fledged software. Except for the outliers most of the apps lack important feature you would expect in desktop software. There are also so many apps that do close to the same thing, with slightly different features. This almost forces you to try a few of the apps before you buy the full versions. I would rather purchase a few apps rather than sign up for multiple subscriptions just to find the one I really liked.
Compounding the problem is the fact that I hardly use the apps that I have. It would be crazy if all my iPhone apps were subscriptions. I would be paying over $100 a month just for apps I never use. 🤦‍♂️

Nickel and diming us to - death - by a 1000 small payments.

 

[Maetzle]

Awesome! Why would I want to pay one time to get the features I need when I can pay every month for fifty different apps and services with zero overview over those small little amounts I pay regularly.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I’ve been scammed out 200 bucks over the years because of the free trials I forget to cancel. Can’t fight those refunds because “you agreed” to pay up, even though I had no intention to do so. Things happens to keep track of those trial periods I guess, oh well lives and learn.

Anything you sign up through the App Store can be cancelled the moment after you sign up and you would still get access until the trial ends.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Not a fan of the iOS subscription model.
iOS apps never feel like full fledged software. Except for the outliers most of the apps lack important feature you would expect in desktop software. There are also so many apps that do close to the same thing, with slightly different features. This almost forces you to try a few of the apps before you buy the full versions. I would rather purchase a few apps rather than sign up for multiple subscriptions just to find the one I really liked.
Compounding the problem is the fact that I hardly use the apps that I have. It would be crazy if all my iPhone apps were subscriptions. I would be paying over $100 a month just for apps I never use. 🤦‍♂️

It's just not sustainable for most apps to only charge the user once and provide lifetime updates. I have so many apps from the early iOS days that I paid 99 cents for that were abandoned by the developer. Most apps serving niche use cases can only grow their customer base so much before needing an alternative revenue stream. I like the subscription model better because I know it guarantees prolonged support for the ones I need and I can try with free trials without having to pay upfront.

 

[ricardoPT]

Despite all this time I want to believe that Apple is still "optimizing" the app subscription model in a way to work better and be fairer also to users and developers.

Most of the time I don't subscribe to an app for only trying it because I know later I can forget to cancel it.

This leads me to not try apps that I'd probably buy or even subscribe to, what's not good for us, either as users or also as developers too.

 

[ricardoPT]

Each time I believe more and more that the business model of some apps like Sketch and Things is the best for both users and developers.

You can try the app and if you buy it you'll have updates for at least one year or more. When they launch a new major version you can opt to buy again (whenever you want it) or simply continue using the version you bought without any limitation.

 

[ksec]

Those of us that have been around a few decades with the big A' can see how the company has changed. Just as I am reaching for my wallet, they now grab my wrist and want it to come out faster.

Exactly! And I have been trying to explain this and people ( *New* Apple Fans, or basically Post iPhone Apple Fans ) keep saying Apple is a for profits company. That is not the point.

Case in point, before Apple launched iPhone, Apple has roughly 200 Apple Retail Store worldwide, to Services less than 100M of users inclusive of iPod. Today Apple has 500 Retail Store, to Services more than 1.5 *billion* of users.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I’ve been scammed out 200 bucks over the years because of the free trials I forget to cancel. Can’t fight those refunds because “you agreed” to pay up, even though I had no intention to do so. Things happens to keep track of those trial periods I guess, oh well lives and learn.

I just set a reminder to cancel the day before the trial ends. That way I never get charged if I don’t want to keep the subscription.

 

[lexvo]

It's just not sustainable for most apps to only charge the user once and provide lifetime updates. I have so many apps from the early iOS days that I paid 99 cents for that were abandoned by the developer. Most apps serving niche use cases can only grow their customer base so much before needing an alternative revenue stream. I like the subscription model better because I know it guarantees prolonged support for the ones I need and I can try with free trials without having to pay upfront.

Subscription is one solution. But I prefer to pay more when purchasing an app and for updates thereafter. I think 99 cents is/was a too low price for many apps in the first place.

 

[jhfenton]

Naw, you can keep your subscriptions, code or not.

The key for me is pricing. I subscribe to Microsoft 365 because it's worth the $79-99/year for the Office suite for the whole family and 1TB OneDrive per person. I happily subscribe to Parcel Premium because it's $2.99/year, and I get more value than that from the subscription.

The problem comes with developers who seek Microsoft Office pricing for Parcel value.

 

[chrisbru]

I’ve been scammed out 200 bucks over the years because of the free trials I forget to cancel. Can’t fight those refunds because “you agreed” to pay up, even though I had no intention to do so. Things happens to keep track of those trial periods I guess, oh well lives and learn.

Sounds like you forgot to cancel, not that you got "scammed". Set a calendar reminder to cancel when you sign up for a trial.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Subscription is one solution. But I prefer to pay more when purchasing an app and for updates thereafter. I think 99 cents is/was a too low price for many apps in the first place.

I would prefer that too in a better software development landscape. Some of my favorite apps like Affinity use this model and they seem to be doing well. But to a lot of less scrupulous developers and companies, support after the initial sale becomes free labor for little return, leading to worse and worse long term usability. I would rather spread that same cost over time so there is still some guarantee of updates in the future. The fact that I can simply pay for a single month only for some subscriptions also helps a lot when I only need it a couple of times a year. To each their own I guess.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I just set a reminder to cancel the day before the trial ends. That way I never get charged if I don’t want to keep the subscription.

Much better to cancel immediately after subscribing. You still get the free trial and there is no risk to missing the reminder.