Overview
- Apple, which announced the option Monday, opened App Store Connect and Xcode for setup and testing now, with user availability slated for May alongside iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS 26.5 on devices running 26.4 or later.
- Subscribers pay an annual-style discounted rate in 12 monthly installments and can cancel at any time, though remaining payments are still due and cancellation only stops renewal after the term ends.
- Apple will show completed and remaining payments in a user’s Apple Account and will send email and optional push reminders ahead of renewal to reduce surprise charges.
- The rollout is global at launch except in the United States and Singapore, and while Apple has not explained the carve-outs, reporting links the U.S. delay to Epic Games litigation and Singapore’s to local payments rules.
- Developers gain a lower monthly price point and more predictable revenue, though Apple has not detailed how failed or blocked payments will be enforced, with some coverage noting unpaid balances can restrict app updates and new downloads.