Apple Announces New In-App Purchase API - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Announces New In-App Purchase API

by

Apple yesterday announced a new API to expand in-app purchase capabilities on the App Store, providing developers with new ways to support large content catalogs, creator-driven experiences, and customizable subscription models.

iOS App Store General Feature Black

The new "Advanced Commerce API" addresses three broad use cases:

  • Apps offering extensive libraries of one-time purchase content, such as audiobooks or educational courses, that require frequent updates.
  • Apps that provide access to creator-led content, enabling users to purchase either one-time or renewable subscriptions tied to specific creators or collections.
  • Subscription services that offer optional add-ons, such as additional channels, sports content, or region-specific options, as renewable purchases within a broader subscription framework.

These use-cases can now more flexibly leverage Apple's payment infrastructure, which includes end-to-end payment processing, tax compliance, and customer service integration. Apple details the eligibility criteria for developers applying to use the API in a new support document.

Apple's announcement appears to be part of a broader effort to refine its ‌App Store‌ policies following scrutiny, particularly in the European Union. This particular API appears to be a direct response to challenges faced by apps with unconventional monetization models, such as Patreon, an online platform that enables creators to offer paid memberships to their audiences. In 2022, Apple required Patreon to adopt the ‌App Store‌'s billing system for in-app purchases.

Tag: App Store

Top Rated Comments

McWetty Avatar
McWetty
16 months ago
Probably not a popular opinion, but I go out of my way to avoid software that has IAP or a subscription. I’m happy to pay for a sub that calls data from other sources or pays licensing fees (Carrot, Parcel, Music+), but almost everything else either needs to be an up front cost or pay for an upgrade. I switched from Adobe to Affinity for that reason.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrono1081 Avatar
chrono1081
16 months ago

Just give us upgrade pricing! Stop ruining software with IAP!
As much as I hate IAPs myself it's literally the only way anymore to monetize software. People just don't want to pay for software anymore and a lot of software relies on various data APIs to use, those API's aren't free and cost money and those prices usually go up with app popularity.

A developer can't rely on a single stand-alone purchase covering the cost of those APIs for the life of the app, hence subscription services are the answer.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
QuarterSwede
16 months ago
Or you can be like some podcasters I listen to and literally direct your audience away from spending 30% more by buying on Apple’s platform and instead buy from their patreon directly. Apple is starting to have a real issue here with those types of platforms.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robertosh Avatar
robertosh
16 months ago
After almost 4 years of work I'm closing to release my first ever app (game). It will have no ads, no micro-transactions, no data collection, no internet connection needed. Free to test, one-time payment to unlock it all, forever. I know that is not the most profitable way, but it's the most honest one. I think is also in developers hands to change the current unfriendly ecosystem in the mobile app stores. I will start with my little stone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
16 months ago
There's no good reason to not support both subscriptions and upgrade pricing

Different models are better for different software products and markets

Apple has chosen to support only the method that's better for them (recurring revenue)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CarAnalogy
16 months ago

As much as I hate IAPs myself it's literally the only way anymore to monetize software. People just don't want to pay for software anymore and a lot of software relies on various data APIs to use, those API's aren't free and cost money and those prices usually go up with app popularity.

A developer can't rely on a single stand-alone purchase covering the cost of those APIs for the life of the app, hence subscription services are the answer.
Right but upgrade pricing solves a lot of the same problem, especially on the Mac. Some software is absolutely worth paying for, but not worth paying forever. I would also happily pay upgrade pricing for substantial upgrades.

IAP is now the only way because it’s been made the only way. I understand what you’re saying about cloud services and monthly recurring revenue and all that. But it’s not the only option, and Apple has come out in the past with their excuses for why they don’t support upgrade pricing.

It’s more about Apple’s recurring revenue than the developers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments