Netflix launches subscription payment for iOS users, bypassing the App Store

Earlier this year, Apple allowed reading apps to present external links for customers to log in and pay for subscriptions outside the App Store. Apple considers reading apps to be those that offer digital content, such as magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music or video, as a core feature of the app. And streaming service Netflix has taken advantage of this opportunity.

How does it work?

It's worth noting right off the bat that Netflix has long since abandoned subscriptions in the iOS app: an update came out in 2018 that removed the ability to allow users to subscribe to Netflix directly from the official iPhone and iPad app. Unsurprisingly, Apple resisted this in every way possible, but eventually gave up (not without the influence of recent antitrust investigations).

The Netflix app now uses a new iOS API for reading apps, which takes the user to an external website before subscribing. Simply put, when you click the subscribe button, a message appears saying "you're about to exit the app and go to an external website." But Apple warns:

"Any accounts or purchases made outside of this app will be managed by the Netflix developer. Your App Store account, saved payment methods and related features such as subscription management and refund requests will not be available. Apple is not responsible for the privacy or security of transactions made with this developer."

Next, you go to the Netflix website where you subscribe. As a result, the service doesn't have to pay a 30% commission for every subscription made in iOS apps.

Source: 9to5Mac