Netflix No Longer Allowing Subscribers to Pay Through Apple's App Store

Netflix subscribers who still pay their monthly fees through the App Store in-app purchase system will soon need to add a new payment method to keep their accounts active, Netflix is telling customers.

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Though Netflix stopped allowing customers to subscribe to its streaming service on iOS devices way back in 2018, it has allowed customers that were already subscribed that way to continue using in-app purchase to pay. Payment through Apple's platform is set to stop, however, because Netflix does not want to continue to pay Apple a 15 percent cut of those subscription fees.

As noted by 9to5Mac, the U.S. Netflix support site now says that customers in "some" countries will need to add a new payment method. It isn't clear which countries the new Netflix policy is applicable to, but given that it was added to the U.S. site, it likely applies to customers in the United States.

Some Apple-billed members in select countries may be prompted to add a new payment method to continue their subscription.

There is no word on how many Netflix subscribers are still paying through in-app purchase since it's been nearly six years since Netflix removed the option. Since 2018, Netflix has required customers who have Apple devices to sign up for a new Netflix subscription on the Netflix website. There is no option to subscribe through the Netflix app on the iPhone or iPad, and these devices open to a sign-in screen.

When Netflix first removed the option to pay through the ‌App Store‌, it said customers who paid for subscriptions with in-app purchases could continue to use that billing method until their accounts were canceled, but Netflix seems to have run out of patience.

Update: Netflix has clarified that the changes affect basic plan members in some countries including the US and Canada, and it does not impact all Netflix users.

Tag: Netflix

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Top Rated Comments

TigerNike23 Avatar
25 months ago
Don’t have to change your payment method if you don’t subscribe.

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Score: 77 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
25 months ago
Based on past Netflix threads, I'm thinking every outraged Apple person has quit Netflix 6 or 7 times in the last 12-18 months or so... so I presume this affects no one. ;)

However, that said, can you blame them? Pay direct and keep 15%. Facilitate another kind of payment and lose 15% "right off the top." If roles were reversed, what would Apple Inc. do?
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
@Brett Avatar
25 months ago
The rate Netflix is going I don’t think I will be paying for them much longer.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
btrach144 Avatar
25 months ago
Cancelled Netflix 6 months ago and haven’t looked back. Their refusal to work with the Apple ecosystem such as AppleTv app integration or Vision Pro app and now this, has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Not to mention their content is subpar now and their price increases were not justifiable.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
25 months ago
How dare they not donate some of their revenue to Apple! I'm going back to watching DVDs
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tornadowrangler Avatar
25 months ago
I haven't been a subscriber for a long time, but GOOD ON THEM!

I don't see why Apple deserves any percent of a Netflix subscription, or any streaming platform's subscription. I make a point to sign-up on the web for all my streaming apps.

It would make more sense to me, maybe, if they paid Apple a one-time customer finders-fee on someone who signs up for a subscription on an iPhone, but not a monthly commission. Apple isn't doing anything monthly to retain the customers.

If I were Netflix, I would completely remove the app and just go webapp for the iPhone.

No need to argue. That's just my opinion. Not trying to change yours!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)