Apple has begun testing a feature in the App Store that allows developers to offer “contingent pricing” for subscriptions. That means developers can bundle subscriptions for two apps at a discounted price.
In an update on the developer's blogThe company said the update allows developers to charge a discounted price even if the app's subscription increases, as long as consumers have subscribed to the other app in the bundle.
“It can be used for subscriptions from one or two different developers. We are currently testing this feature and will be adding more developers in the coming months. “If you are interested in implementing contingent pricing in your app, you can start planning today and sign up to be notified when more details are available in January,” the company said.
This is a useful feature for independent developers as it allows them to promote their work by offering discounts on package subscriptions to their apps.
Pete Hare, Apple's senior director of engineering, said in LinkedIn the company handles all the complexity, including eligibility checks and process payments.
“We take care of all the eligibility checks and commercial work to enable in-app purchases in your own apps, as well as flows provided by Apple to subscribe and download in one step directly from email links or the App Store, to allow you to get discounts. its services based on other apps in the App Store,” Hare said.
While the feature is in the testing phase, Apple said developers can promote this discount in off-platform marketing channels, according to 9to5Mac.
This appears to be Apple's move to make the App Store and its offering more attractive to developers before the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) comes into force next year. DMA asks app distribution platforms, such as Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store, to allow users to install apps through alternative ways.
Apple's marketing language about this feature indicates that the App Store can handle complex payment and subscription processing even when multiple apps and developers are involved. This type of build could prove cumbersome and difficult for upcoming alternative app stores to execute.
