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> Google and Apple already support other payment methods Apple is the only mode of payment allowed in apps in Apple's App Store. No "other payment method" is a

> Google and Apple already support other payment methods Apple is the only mode of payment allowed in apps in Apple's App Store. No "other payment method" is allowed.

slownews45 5y ago
I've successfully used everything from apple pay (note 2FA required) to different credit cards to debit cards to even paypal and weird things like gift cards and add funds. What payment method does apple not support when buying things? Maybe ACH / Wire? Is that realistic for apps?
- pritambaral 5y ago
  Does that apply to all apps? Can any app provide those modes? Or are those modes restricted only to Amazon-like apps that allow users to buy physical goods etc.? My claim is generic across apps; your anecdotes are limited to certain types of apps.
- cyral 5y ago
  I think they mean IAP, not Apple Pay. Apple requires every app (unless it's for a physical product and some other exceptions) to use Apple's in app purchase system. You can pay with credit card, gift cards, etc, but 15% (30% over $1mm) goes to Apple, not the merchant - which is what this bill is about, since Apple has a monopoly as the only app store they can charge whatever they want and developers have to put up with it. You can't embed your own payment system, or even make references that such system is available elsewhere (e.g. on your website)
  - slownews45 5y ago
    That is very different. Most users like apple's consistent payment flow and protection it provides, especially if you've dealt with other providers online (and all the scam tactics).
    - summerlight 5y ago
      I think many customers will switch to alternative payment solution if the price is lower by 30~40%. Consistent payment flow and protection is of course desirable, but I don't think that's worth the current cost. Perhaps 10% makes sense.
      - slownews45 5y ago
        No question - but it's usually cheaper in part because the costs (to consumer) are hidden. Impossible to cancel subscription Renewal terms hidden. Trial terms hidden. No prompt to cancel on app delete Hard to get refunds if app doesn't work. And list goes on. So yes - they will be cheaper, but you will ALSO have a lot more unhappy users. So if you can think longer term - the short term gain all these devs will make milking users trust is a long term loss to platform trust (where apple wins). Apple is a brand company. A top global brand. Part of that is a fair bit of control over the on apple experience. Just look at the folks fighting apple on this - a lot fo them have been sued (repeatedly) for scam billing practices.
        summerlight 5y ago
        Yeah, I can happily pay 5%, even 10% to Apple for that. But 30%? Sorry. I would rather pay directly to the developers to support longevity of my favorite apps and games.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
somebodynew 5y ago
I interpreted the remainder of the sentence that you quoted from as acknowledging that the restriction applies to the App Store, and contrasting this with other possible distribution methods (presumably web sites or web apps with their own online payment forms).
- pritambaral 5y ago
  Such a claim is either facetious, or misinformed. Apple severely restricts what is allowed on web apps on iOS devices, specifically against allowing them to become viable alternatives to its monopoly on native apps.

> Google and Apple already support other payment methods Apple is the only mode of payment allowed in apps in Apple's App Store. No "other payment method" is allowed.

slownews45 5y ago

I've successfully used everything from apple pay (note 2FA required) to different credit cards to debit cards to even paypal and weird things like gift cards and add funds. What payment method does apple not support when buying things? Maybe ACH / Wire? Is that realistic for apps?

pritambaral 5y ago
Does that apply to all apps? Can any app provide those modes? Or are those modes restricted only to Amazon-like apps that allow users to buy physical goods etc.? My claim is generic across apps; your anecdotes are limited to certain types of apps.
cyral 5y ago
I think they mean IAP, not Apple Pay. Apple requires every app (unless it's for a physical product and some other exceptions) to use Apple's in app purchase system. You can pay with credit card, gift cards, etc, but 15% (30% over $1mm) goes to Apple, not the merchant - which is what this bill is about, since Apple has a monopoly as the only app store they can charge whatever they want and developers have to put up with it. You can't embed your own payment system, or even make references that such system is available elsewhere (e.g. on your website)
- slownews45 5y ago
  That is very different. Most users like apple's consistent payment flow and protection it provides, especially if you've dealt with other providers online (and all the scam tactics).
  - summerlight 5y ago
    I think many customers will switch to alternative payment solution if the price is lower by 30~40%. Consistent payment flow and protection is of course desirable, but I don't think that's worth the current cost. Perhaps 10% makes sense.
    - slownews45 5y ago
      No question - but it's usually cheaper in part because the costs (to consumer) are hidden. Impossible to cancel subscription Renewal terms hidden. Trial terms hidden. No prompt to cancel on app delete Hard to get refunds if app doesn't work. And list goes on. So yes - they will be cheaper, but you will ALSO have a lot more unhappy users. So if you can think longer term - the short term gain all these devs will make milking users trust is a long term loss to platform trust (where apple wins). Apple is a brand company. A top global brand. Part of that is a fair bit of control over the on apple experience. Just look at the folks fighting apple on this - a lot fo them have been sued (repeatedly) for scam billing practices.
      - summerlight 5y ago
        Yeah, I can happily pay 5%, even 10% to Apple for that. But 30%? Sorry. I would rather pay directly to the developers to support longevity of my favorite apps and games.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

somebodynew 5y ago

I interpreted the remainder of the sentence that you quoted from as acknowledging that the restriction applies to the App Store, and contrasting this with other possible distribution methods (presumably web sites or web apps with their own online payment forms).

pritambaral 5y ago
Such a claim is either facetious, or misinformed. Apple severely restricts what is allowed on web apps on iOS devices, specifically against allowing them to become viable alternatives to its monopoly on native apps.