Apple Introduces Subscription Bundle Strategy for App Developers

Apple announced a new program called contingent pricing for subscriptions, allowing App Store developers to offer discounts for customers with bundle subscriptions.

Apple's Contingent Pricing for Subscription

According to Apple, this new feature was created to help developers attract and retain subscribers by offering customers a discount subscription price. The developers can offer discounts from one developer or two developers, as long as the subscriptions are active.

"We handle all the eligibility checks and commerce work to allow for seamless in-app purchases in your own apps, and also Apple-provided flows to subscribe and download in one step directly from email links or the App Store," Apple engineering manager, Pete Hare shared in a LinkedIn post.

Other Apple employees also shared their excitement over the new pilot program as the company continues to deliver more programs to support the development community.

Apple Contingent Pricing Availability

The announcement of the program is quite early as the program has no definite date as of writing. However, interested developers are encouraged to start planning as early as today and to sign up to get notified. Apple assured that more details will be revealed by January 2024.

While the program does not allow developers to set a new price to compete with other services, the contingent pricing opens an opportunity to gain new subscribers for a discounted price.

For instance, customers who are currently subscribed to an app can be offered a lower subscription price to another app. The App Store will show a new price offer that is under the contingent pricing program.

Apple will be handling the implementation of the discounted offers to ensure a smooth redemption and purchasing experience based on the contingent offer that the developer has planned.