Apple’s App Store just got more affordable. But there’s a catch

If you own one of the best iPhones, chances are you’re subscribed to more than a few apps. Now, Apple has announced a new option for App Store subscriptions, introducing a new pricing model that looks more flexible at first glance, but comes with a catch.

• Read more: iPhone 18 Pro Max leak shows a chunkier camera bump – and it might actually be a good thing

Developers can now offer monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment, letting you pay for something like an annual plan in smaller chunks rather than one upfront fee. In theory, that means you can get pricing similar to discounted annual plans, without having to drop a larger sum all at once.

But while you can cancel at any time, it simply stops the subscription from renewing after you’ve completed all 12 monthly payments. So once you’re in, you’re effectively committed to a full year.

Traditional monthly subscriptions are easy to dip in and out of, but you normally pay more for the flexibility. This new model sits somewhere between monthly and annual plans, trading that flexibility for a lower monthly cost.

Elsewhere, users will be able to see how many payments they’ve completed and how many are left directly in their account, while email and optional push notifications will flag upcoming renewals.

For developers, the feature is already live. Subscription types can now be set up in App Store Connect and tested in Xcode, with the option rolling out to users next month alongside updates like iOS 26.5 and its equivalents across Apple’s other platforms. 

At launch, the new subscription model won’t be available in the United States or Singapore, with Apple yet to confirm when those markets will be included.

For everyone else, this could make premium apps and services feel a bit more affordable, as long as they’re used regularly enough.

• Read more: We now know who will lead Apple into the future – and it’s great news for new products

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.