AppleInsider Staff
Developers can now generate one-time use subscription offer codes for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 apps to net new users, retain existing subscribers or lure back past customers.
Announced in a post to Apple's developer portal on Tuesday, the new feature enables developers to extend subscription offer codes for redemption in the App Store or within target apps.
Distributed digitally or physically, offer codes allow users access to a free or discounted auto-renewable subscription for a limited duration specified by the developer. Customers are able to redeem one code per active offer, while app makers are limited to 10 active offers per subscription with a maximum of 150,000 codes per app, per quarter.
When redeeming an app code or URL, users are presented with a detailed overview of the promotion including subscription name, duration, and pricing. Those who do not have the app downloaded can do so during the redemption process.
Apple touts subscription offers as a boon for onboarding new users with options for digital distribution and at physical events, as well as alongside product launches.
Developers will be able to track the performance of generated offer codes later this year when Apple updates Sales and Trends reports in App Store Connect.
Andrew O'Hara
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
1 Comment
I would never use such a thing. A “gift” subscription period is just a “free first hit” to convert the otherwise disinterested into paying subscribers by way of human psychological manipulation (because it’s easier to keep subscribers hanging on than it is to start them). This whole subscription system is an abuse to begin with.