Apple introduces subscription offer codes for apps

Apple is set to encourage more developers to start using app subscriptions as well as tempting more consumers to subscribe by introducing subscription offer codes later this year.

As Engadget reports, subscription offer codes allow a developer to offer discounted or free subscriptions that auto-renew once the discount or free period runs out. The subscription codes are unique, alphanumeric one-time use codes which developers are free to generate and hand out either digitally (emails, newsletters, Twitter DMs, etc.) or physically (e.g. print out offer codes and hand them out at conferences).

In order for the codes to work, users will need to be running iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, both of which will be released later this year. Each code can be redeemed through the App Store either directly in the app the code is meant for, or by using a one-time code redemption URL.

There's a couple of good reasons why iOS and iPadOS developers would prefer a subscription over selling an app for a one-time fee on the App Store. The first is the simple fact a subscription means regular income per customer every month. The second is Apple reduces its cut from 30 percent to 15 percent after the first year each subscription runs. Therefore, these codes are sure to be popular, especially with any developer trying to increase app subscriptions quickly, or when launching a new app subscription.