Apple makes it easy for devs to offer discounted app subscriptions

By

Subscription offer codes could turn this crown into potential customers.
This crowd is potential customers that could be wooed with easily redeemable discounts on App Store subscriptions.
Photo: Cameron Casey/Pexels CC

It will soon be possible for developers to give out codes to customers that bring discounts on subscription fees for software or services in the Apple App Store. The goal is to help app creators “acquire, retain, and win back subscribers” with these one-time use codes that people can then easily redeem, according to Apple.

Subscription offer codes provide deals on App Store items

Apple suggests developers “provide your one-time use codes digitally or offline at physical events, alongside products, and more.” A company could, for example, hand out cards with subscription offer codes printed on them at a festival. These would let people try a service free for a month, and then have the usual fee kick in afterward.

But making a service temporarily free isn‘t the only option. Codes can provide discounts on subscriptions too.

The unique, alphanumeric codes can can be redeemed through the App Store or a one-time code-redemption URL. It will also be possible to build a redemption system into apps.

Apple didn’t say when it will start allowing developers to distribute subscription offer codes, other than “later this year.” More information is available on Apple’s developer website.

The iPhone-maker has been urging developers to switch to switch customers to subscriptions rather than one-time fees. These just-announced discount codes are apparently part of that drive.

Source: Apple

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.