Apple to Soon Let Users Fix Subscription Billing Issues Directly Within Apps

Apple will soon make it possible for users to fix App Store subscription payment issues within apps, rather than having to go into their device's Settings to make the necessary changes.

in app billing problem
Currently if a third-party app has an issue with an auto-renewing subscription – if the payment method is no longer valid, for example – users must exit out of the app and make the changes in the Apple ID section of the Settings app.

This system often forces users to take out the subscription again, which can cause them to lose any in-app discounts or introductory subscription offers. However, that's set to change. From Apple's announcement on its developer website:

Starting this summer, if an auto-renewable subscription doesn't renew due to a billing issue, a system-provided sheet appears in your app with a prompt that lets customers update their payment method for their Apple ID. No action is required to adopt this feature.

The new in-app system should make it easier for users to resolve payment issues, says Apple, meaning developers should be better able to retain subscribers and benefit from in-app purchases.

When it goes live in the summer, Apple says the in-app billing issue resolution sheet will require iPhones and iPads to be running a minimum of iOS 16.4 or iPadOS 16.4, respectively.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...

Top Rated Comments

ROF Avatar
31 months ago

Devil's advocate - ease of cancellation. How many companies make you go around the houses to cancel a subscription? Fine for you and I, not so fine for older people or the less tech-literate. For them, that safety net is worth a couple of quid more per month.
Absolutely!

And not just old people--it can be a massive time suck following the circuitous path many vendors have created to unsubscribe.

I was annoyed by the early iterations of Apple's subscription dashboard but I've come to really appreciate a single, easy-to-find spot to manage all subscriptions. For the one-off months of HBO or other streaming services, it's super convenient.

As long as Apple requires vendors to also keep unsubscribe option in Apple dashboard, I'm good.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OS X Dude Avatar
31 months ago

Seriously. Why would someone knowingly pay 30% more for something?
Devil's advocate - ease of cancellation. How many companies make you go around the houses to cancel a subscription? Fine for you and I, not so fine for older people or the less tech-literate. For them, that safety net is worth a couple of quid more per month.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DigitalAR Avatar
31 months ago
I recall when cancelling a subscription was hidden in the billing settings within the App Store.

And then it was moved into settings kinda hidden.

Now it’s easier to access. Much easier.

And now it’ll be even easier.

Which is great.

But this doesn’t solve the issue of unessessary loot boxes and spending.

Whatever. I just wanted to be first.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
compwiz1202 Avatar
31 months ago

Haha, I loathe SiriusXM and OnStar. For SiriusXM, I ended up switching my payment method to a VISA debit gift card...and then spent the money. For OnStar, I switched my payment method to PayPal...and then went into my PayPal account to remove it from there. OnStar finally just noticed my payment method no longer works after three-ish years (probably only because they had to change my plan after the 3G sunset).

On that note, does the Apple Card allow you to create several virtual numbers to give out, and be able to cancel/deactivate them when no longer needed? Sort of like Hide My Email, but for credit cards...
OnStar wasn't a problem for us, but Sirius is ridiculous. Somehow they finally canceled it after calls upon calls for hours. I wish they would pass the law in PA already that everything can be canceled online. I won't sub to anything where you need to call to cancel anymore.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
compwiz1202 Avatar
31 months ago

Devil's advocate - ease of cancellation. How many companies make you go around the houses to cancel a subscription? Fine for you and I, not so fine for older people or the less tech-literate. For them, that safety net is worth a couple of quid more per month.
*cough*SiriusXM*cough* And everything is in one place too, so you can just quick check subs.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Verified Whiskey Avatar
31 months ago
Another reason to use apps from the App Store.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)