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One way apps get high MRR is by offering free trial for a small period, then charging for subscriptions later The user forgets about the subscriptions and ends

One way apps get high MRR is by offering free trial for a small period, then charging for subscriptions later The user forgets about the subscriptions and ends up paying for a while before cancelling This is probably what apple means by "bait and switch" Of course I can't say if these app did this or not, I am just saying this is a common practice

olliej 3y ago
but remember the App Store review protects people from bait and switch! /s
ssijak 3y ago
that is done by literally 80% of the paid apps. so I suspect that is not the banned behavior. it's the same on the web, you sign up for a free trial but leave the CC
- natch 3y ago
  “Everyone (80%) does it so it’s ok” That may be true but it may just be that Apple hates this but has trouble writing the right set of rules that don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. And then when they get the slightest excuse (the fake fake reviews yes double fake) then they take the opportunity to close the unpleasant account. Actually if 20% of the apps don’t do these scummy dark patterns, I’d just as soon see only those better apps in the store.
mikepurvis 3y ago
I appreciate that you can cancel the subscription right away at the start of the trial and Apple and the vendor isn't notified.
- newaccount74 3y ago
  Curious that this doesn't work for Apple services. If you cancel the free trial, you lose access immediately. I was a bit disappointed that they don't live up to the standards they expect of 3rd party devs.
RajT88 3y ago
> I am just saying this is a common practice This is how AppleTV works. I assume Apple does this with other services too.
SpaceManNabs 3y ago
The developer might be scummy (very arguable tbh), but Apple being the arbitrator of what scummy bait and switch behavior is allowed is not acceptable. I don't see apple going after gambling like behavior in freemium games as long as they get a 30% cut for example. If apple can't enforce an ethical stance as a standard uniformly, then they aren't being ethical.

olliej 3y ago

but remember the App Store review protects people from bait and switch! /s

ssijak 3y ago

that is done by literally 80% of the paid apps. so I suspect that is not the banned behavior. it's the same on the web, you sign up for a free trial but leave the CC

natch 3y ago
“Everyone (80%) does it so it’s ok” That may be true but it may just be that Apple hates this but has trouble writing the right set of rules that don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. And then when they get the slightest excuse (the fake fake reviews yes double fake) then they take the opportunity to close the unpleasant account. Actually if 20% of the apps don’t do these scummy dark patterns, I’d just as soon see only those better apps in the store.

mikepurvis 3y ago

I appreciate that you can cancel the subscription right away at the start of the trial and Apple and the vendor isn't notified.

newaccount74 3y ago
Curious that this doesn't work for Apple services. If you cancel the free trial, you lose access immediately. I was a bit disappointed that they don't live up to the standards they expect of 3rd party devs.

RajT88 3y ago

> I am just saying this is a common practice This is how AppleTV works. I assume Apple does this with other services too.

SpaceManNabs 3y ago

The developer might be scummy (very arguable tbh), but Apple being the arbitrator of what scummy bait and switch behavior is allowed is not acceptable. I don't see apple going after gambling like behavior in freemium games as long as they get a 30% cut for example. If apple can't enforce an ethical stance as a standard uniformly, then they aren't being ethical.