Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#1

Post by benologist » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 1:51 PM UTC

Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
old.reddit.com

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#2

Post by dave84 » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:07 PM UTC

This has been a rule from day one as far as I can remember. Nothing new here.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#3

Post by Y_Y » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:08 PM UTC

At this point Apple is like Walter White at the end of Breaking Bad. It's absurdly wealthy, but doesn't seem to have any purpose left apart from shoveling out more meth or iPhones to get more useless cash.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#4

Post by programAgaib » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:09 PM UTC

dave84 wrote: post #2

This has been a rule from day one as far as I can remember. Nothing new here.

So Apple has always been anti consumer and anti developer.

Right, nothing new here.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#5

Post by wildchild » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:14 PM UTC

Apple is a scam.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#6

Post by TYPE_FASTER » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:15 PM UTC

I would love it if subscription services would give me a heads up a day or two before the trial period ends, with a link to cancel.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#7

Post by blendergeek » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:16 PM UTC

Here is the original Twitter thread that is screenshotted in that Reddit post: https://mobile.twitter.com/downdogapp/status/127804886274623...

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#8

Post by thomasedwards » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:19 PM UTC

Meanwhile... I’m fairly certain I’ve read that the EU and both Visa and MasterCard are looking at ways to prevent auto-billing without secondary confirmation.

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#9

Post by kemayo » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:22 PM UTC

Apple's approach isn't as bad as this title makes it sound.

Mostly because they're aggressive communicators about subscription billing -- they send emails well in advance of any subscription renewal, telling you when you'll be billed, how much for, and giving you a link to cancel the subscription. Makes me feel this isn't them hoping you'll just forget and be billed.

In fact, I'd suspect this is intended as a user-friendly feature. It means you had to be presented with the cost up-front before you began the trial, avoiding letting shadier developers do a bait and switch when the trial expires and the user needs to sign up again. (Not saying there aren't other ways this could be done, but...)

Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

#10

Post by numbers » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 2:22 PM UTC

I don’t see why this is even a complaint... Apple sends users notifications before the trial ends and you can easily just cancel.

I guess apps I’ve used already have this auto-billing implemented because I don’t think I’ve confirmed my subscription after the free trial ended and billing began.