Apple now allows developers to offer monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. This means instead of paying the annual subscription fee upfront, users can pay it monthly.
This change makes it easier for users to subscribe to apps with high annual fees, lowering the barrier to entry.
Apple adds a new way to pay for app subscriptions
Subscriptions are a great way for developers to generate recurring revenue. They support a more sustainable business model and allow developers to focus on building and maintaining high-quality apps over time.
Besides a monthly subscription, many developers offer an annual discounted subscription on the App Store. However, the steep upfront cost of these plans can be a major issue for some users.
Apple wants to eliminate this barrier by offering developers an option to provide monthly subscriptions with an annual commitment.
Photo: Apple
“Apple will also send email and, if opted in, push notifications ahead of their renewal date to remind them of their upcoming purchase,” says the company in its announcement.
While users can cancel their subscriptions at any time, they will be charged for the remaining months of their commitment. Apple will also let users see how many payments they’ve made and how many months remain.
Developers can start testing this new subscription model in Xcode and App Store Connect starting today. For end users, the feature will roll out with iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 next month. It will be available globally on devices running iOS 26.4 or later, except in the US and Singapore.
It’s unclear why Apple isn’t rolling out the new subscription model in the US, one of its biggest markets.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
