Some iPhone Apps Can Now Charge Higher Subscription Price Without Notifying You

Last Updated on May 18, 2022 by Anu Joy

Apple’s App Store rules have now been updated so that your subscriptions can auto-renew without your permission, even if the price increases. The iPhone maker had been testing it out as a pilot program a few months ago, and now it appears that the “feature” is rolling out to everyone.

Currently, in case app developers hike the price of an auto-renewable subscription, users have to explicitly opt in for it at the increased price. If the user chooses not to subscribe, it gets cancelled. When the new App Store rule comes into effect, the user will be automatically subscribed even at a higher membership price.

While greedy developers can easily take advantage of the new update, Apple has some more new rules to curb such shady practices. Even though memberships will be automatically renewed for the increased price, users will get notified of the same. They will be informed via push notification, email, and a message within the app.

The iPhone maker lays out the following conditions for subscription price increase:

The specific conditions for this feature 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.

If the subscription price hikes don’t adhere to these guidelines, subscribers will be allowed to opt in before the new price comes into effect. Currently, subscribers are required to opt in before the price hike is applied. Apple says that this results in services being abruptly stopped since it doesn’t automatically renew at the next billing cycle. The firm adds that the new update will allow members to enjoy uninterrupted services.

This will come as a welcome change to those who don’t want to bother with manually re-subscribing for a service when its price changes. However, users who would rather discontinue the membership than pay extra will not be too happy about Apple’s new policy.