Apple App Store Just update its rulesWhich is bad news for anyone who has, or could have, any type of paid subscription. The new rules allow developers to raise the price of their subscriptions and also automatically renew them without your explicit permission.
Apple calls this an “auto-renewable subscription price increase” and claims that there are some conditions that developers will need to follow. These terms say that any rates in excess of 50% will not qualify. Weekly and monthly subscriptions are also limited to a $5 increment, while annual subscriptions can only raise prices by more than $50.
Subscriptions exceeding these maximum limits will not automatically renew, and users will be required to opt in to price changes. Ignoring the enable warning means that your subscription will expire, and you will lose access after the next renewal point.
The subscription option will also be activated if subscription prices are raised more than once per year. This should stop dodgy apps that repeatedly raise the price in small increments over the course of several months.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this change, although Apple has just made it official. Take Crunch It reported that the change was in testing stages last month, while developer Max Seeleman received one of the price change notices at the end of Walks.
iOS biz people… Subscription price increase as just a notification Instead of having to confirm, other subscriptions expire. Is this new behavior for everyone or exclusive to Disney+? pic.twitter.com/zt7c15QcTAMarch 24, 2022
Apple says it will warn users about price hikes, via email, push notifications and in-app messaging. And judging by Silman’s tweet, that notice would be very prominent. So it’s not like you’re going to be completely in trouble when the day of the renewal comes – provided you pay attention to the warnings that appear on your device.
However, although there may be a button to review your subscription preferences, it takes more effort to opt out than to decline and let it lapse.
On a personal level, it seems like an unusual move on Apple’s part, especially given the fact that the cost of living has crossed the line in recent months. If anything, now is the time to crack down on any kind of hidden costs, and make sure people are hooked on every penny they’ll have to pay.
For now, you’ll just have to keep an eye on these notifications, making sure you don’t dismiss them without thinking; Otherwise, your credit card bill will increase slightly.