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Currently if a third-party app has an issue with an auto-renewing subscription – if the payment method is no longer valid, for example – users must exit out of the app and make the changes in the Apple ID section of the Settings app.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

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Top Rated Comments

ROF Avatar
27 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
27 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
27 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
27 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
27 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
27 months ago
Another reason to use apps from the App Store.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)