Netflix is no longer accepting Apple-billed subscriptions moving forward, moving away from the massive ties to the App Store and its payment channel, now asking for subscribers to update their payments and setup. For those who would not do anything regarding this moving forward, Netflix may cut their subscriptions prompting them to resubscribe again, but this time, on its preferred platforms already.
This stems from a significant boycott against Apple's App Store, centering on the infamous commission rate with a 70-30 split with the developer.
Netflix to Cut Apple-Billed Subscriptions Moving Forward
(Photo : OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Netflix is cutting Apple-billed subscriptions after over five years since it no longer allowed new and rejoining subscribers to pay for its Premium access via the App Store. According to Netflix's support website, users in select countries would be prompted by the company to add a new payment method outside the App Store's in-app purchases channel to continue their subscription.
However, this is for select regions only, and for those who would not be prompted by the company, their Netflix subscriptions would be cut off and would have to rejoin again, and this time, on a different payment method.
Netflix did not reveal when this change would take effect, but the company is making it clear that it would completely leave behind this Apple payment method.
While Netflix would not cut their subscriptions in the middle of their period, the end of these users' billing period would mark the end for their Apple-billed Premium accounts. Moreover, users may go ahead with this and avoid rejoining Netflix by updating their payment methods via the Account settings and selecting the 'Manage payment info' option.
For those who have already updated their payment info, it is important to note that they need to cancel their subscriptions via Apple to avoid getting billed by the App Store.
Netflix, Other Streaming Platforms vs. Apple
Almost six years ago, Netflix introduced various ways for iOS users to pay for subscriptions, but this also marked the company's defiance against Apple for their App Store policy which splits the payment between both entities. Through this, Netflix asked subscribers to pay via their website, centering on a direct transaction from the user and the company for subscriptions.
It is not the only one, as Spotify also made this move earlier, asking subscribers to pay for their subscriptions via a different channel or through a direct transaction on their website when on iOS. Last year, Spotify also removed the iOS legacy subscribers or those who were still using the App Store's in-app purchase method and were made to resubscribe again.
As many companies boycott or denounce Apple's App Store policy, it affects subscribers one way or another, and in Netflix's case, it may have been delayed for over five years but is now ramping up its decision to move away from Cupertino.
It is unknown how long iOS legacy subscribers have to change their subscriptions before getting cut off, but for those who would remain as Apple-billed users, will soon face a massive Netflix interruption.
