Apple now allows developers to offer auto-renewable subscription price increase

Apple, which tested a new feature earlier this year that allows developers to charge higher prices for automatically renewable subscriptions, has announced that it will now make it available to everyone – although it has some certain specific conditions.

Currently, when an auto-renewable subscription price is increased, subscribers must opt in before the price increase is applied. For subscribers who do not opt in to the new price, the subscription doesn’t renew in the next billing period.

With the new update, developers may also offer an auto-renewable subscription price increase, without the user needing to take action and without interrupting the service. Apple says there will be some limits for the feature. 

The specific conditions are that the price increase doesn’t occur more than once per year, doesn’t exceed US$5 and 50% of the subscription price, or US$50 and 50% for an annual subscription price, and is permissible by local law.

In these situations, Apple notifies users of an increase in advance, including via email, push notification, and a message within the app. Apple will also notify users of how to view, manage, and cancel subscriptions if preferred.

“For all subscription price increases that are above the thresholds, exceed the annual limit, or occur within territories where the law requires it, subscribers must opt in before the price increase is applied. The subscription won’t renew at the next billing period for subscribers who didn’t opt in to the new price. They can always resubscribe within the app, from Settings on iPhone and iPad, or in the App Store on Mac,” Apple said.