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Apple has explored deals with large app makers like Netflix as well (https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/5/22421734/apple-epic-netflix-in-app-purchase-removal-email

Apple has explored deals with large app makers like Netflix as well (https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/5/22421734/apple-epic-netflix-in-app-purchase-removal-emails https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/5/22421734/apple-epic-netfli...). They even offered 15% to Netflix (https://www.theverge.com/c/22611236/epic-v-apple-emails-project-liberty-app-store-schiller-sweeney-cook-jobs https://www.theverge.com/c/22611236/epic-v-apple-emails-proj...) Certain parts of App Store policy are the result of this sort of thing. For example there is a carve out for media services-- unlike the rest of the app ecosystem, it is OK for subscriber only media services to have an app that requires login to use it. This was a result of Netflix refusing to use IAP. If you didn't know, it is otherwise not allowed to have a login only experience. You can't even require users to sign up for an account before a user purchases an IAP product or subscription, let alone require a signup before the app is used. While this is a pro consumer move, it does mean headaches for any user that purchases a subscription without attaching an email address and then expects the app's customer support to be able to identify their subscription. It also confuses users because they'll say they're emailing on the same email as their Apple account, but that doesn't help because a subscription purchase doesn't come with the user's email.

mcfedr 3y ago
Is it pro consumer? Those exact reasons you describe are why apps want you to make an account. Doing customer service for people in this situation is a nightmare
- rezonant 3y ago
  Well that's what they claim. And to be fair, since managing that subscription is entirely in the user's hands in the App Store UI/UX, it sort of makes sense- the user shouldn't have to receive spam to buy a random subscription. But I do fall more on the side of your opinion after spending 5 years managing these sorts of systems and working with the support team.
  - mcfedr 3y ago
    As a developer, It gives apple all the power, I don't own the relationship between me and my customers. And the same as a customer, you have this third party butting in, and getting in the way of the experience.

mcfedr 3y ago

Is it pro consumer? Those exact reasons you describe are why apps want you to make an account. Doing customer service for people in this situation is a nightmare

rezonant 3y ago
Well that's what they claim. And to be fair, since managing that subscription is entirely in the user's hands in the App Store UI/UX, it sort of makes sense- the user shouldn't have to receive spam to buy a random subscription. But I do fall more on the side of your opinion after spending 5 years managing these sorts of systems and working with the support team.
- mcfedr 3y ago
  As a developer, It gives apple all the power, I don't own the relationship between me and my customers. And the same as a customer, you have this third party butting in, and getting in the way of the experience.