Disney+: iPhone app removes in-app subscriptions, bypasses Apple commission
Following other streaming giants, Disney also wants to save itself the Apple commission, amounting to up to 30 percent. Making it even more difficult for users.
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The iOS app Disney+ is removing in-app purchases: iPhone and iPad users will no longer be able to conveniently take out a new subscription via the integrated Apple payment interface. It is also no longer possible to renew an expired subscription directly in the app. Existing customers who pay for Disney+ with their Apple account are not affected by the change, the service emphasizes on a support page. Of course, this only applies as long as the subscription continues to run without being canceled.
No more commission for Apple
Anyone who logs in with an expired Disney+ subscription or account will now receive the terse message: "Unfortunately, this app does not support in-app registration. Please complete your account setup on the website". According to US media reports, Disney is taking the same approach with its streaming subsidiary Hulu, where new in-app subscriptions are also no longer possible.
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Disney is following in the footsteps of other streaming giants such as Netflix and Spotify, which have long since removed in-app purchases from their iOS apps. Both Netflix and Spotify later also kicked out existing subscribers who continued to pay via their Apple account. The reason for this is simple: Apple only allows in-app purchases of digital content – via its own payment interface (In-App Purchase – IAP) with a few exceptions –. The company automatically retains a commission of up to 30 percent of the purchase or subscription price. Apparently, Disney now wants to avoid this. It is also very easy to cancel such subscriptions via the iOS settings. While Spotify is on an open confrontation course with Apple, Disney is considered a close Apple partner –, which makes the current move all the more remarkable.
Apple warning: Watch out, website!
App giants have been fighting against these commissions for years, but so far with little success. Under pressure from regulators, Apple has now had to remove some of the obligation to use the IAP payment interface, for example through the Digital Markets Act in the EU. However, the iPhone manufacturer continues to charge an almost identical commission – even on purchases made on the web from an app.
Disney+ has switched to integrating a single link on its own website and referring users to the account management there. If the user clicks on the link, iOS displays a large warning. "Your transaction is no longer with Apple," it says, among other things.
(lbe)
