Apple Changes iPhone App Store After 18 Years For Better-Value Deals

InnovationConsumer TechApple Changes iPhone App Store After 18 Years For Better-Value DealsByDavid Phelan,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about lifestyle techFollow AuthorApr 28, 2026, 06:40am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Apple App Store on iPhoneNurPhoto via Getty ImagesApple has just announced a big change is coming to the App Store. It will offer greater certainty to developers, and better prices for users who want the savings of a yearly plan without the immediate financial hit. The changes will apply to the App Store on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro.ForbesiPhone Ultra: New Leak Reveals Radical Design Of Apple’s Folding PhoneBy David PhelanThe change was unveiled on the Apple developer website, and means that developers can now, for the first time since the App Store was launched back in July 2008, offer subscribers monthly payments for annual commitments. The End Of Upfront Annual FeesUntil now, 12-month subscriptions, which could be set to give a discount compared to monthly pricing to reflect the longer commitment, had to be paid up front. The change means that the discounted pricing that traditionally accompanies longer subscriptions can be paid in monthly installments. “Today, we’re introducing a new way that people can pay for your auto-renewable subscriptions on the App Store: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable options. People can cancel their subscription at any time, which will prevent the subscription from renewing after they’ve completed their agreed-to payments to fulfill their commitment,” Apple said in the announcement.MORE FOR YOUFor transparency, users can easily view how many payments have been made and how many remain. Apple will also send an email to users ahead of the renewal dat...