Following the suite of Spotify, Netflix has added an external Sign Up to its iOS and iPadOS clients. This would allow new users to signup for a Netflix subscription outside the app.
This is to skip paying Apple the App Store tax of 15%, which seems to be higher for many. Thus, iOS and iPadOS Netflix users will be asked to either sign in to their accounts or buy a subscription from the Netflix website through redirection from the app.
Best Alternative For Dodging Apple Tax
Apple’s App Store tax is often confronted by a number of developers, including the tech giants in various industries like Spotify, Epic Games, Netflix, etc. The Cupertino-based company charges 30% for new apps in their first year and 15% subsequently.
Although it says very few apps fall in this category, with most having to pay even less, the developer community isn’t okay with it. Thus, with the support of various regulators, they’re pushing Apple to let them add a third-party payment method in their apps so they can ditch paying Apple.
Though Apple was defended initially, it surrendered in a few countries. In this pursuit, the company earlier this year allowed reading apps to add an external link button to their apps, directing users to signup/pay to them directly, without going through Apple.
And this move was welcomed by Spotify, as it added an external Sign Up button to its iOS app. Now, Netflix is pursuing the same track. Apple categorizes reading apps to be something whose primary function is related to magazines, audio, video, etc.
Since Netflix falls under this category, it switched the payment means. For a long, Netflix only allowed users to log in with their existing accounts in the iOS and iPadOS clients, and an apology notice for those who wanted to signup as new.
The platform is not even allowed to mention its website as a means of signup, according to Apple’s terms. But now, since Apple allows it, Netflix has added an external Sign Up button in its iOS and iPadOS clients.
This signup button is linked to Netflix’s website, so clicking on it will redirect the user to the site for new signup. Well, users are warned with a mandatory message as below by Apple before letting them proceed.
“Any accounts or purchases made outside of this app will be managed by the developer “Netflix.” Your App Store account stored payment methods and related features, such as subscription management and refund requests, will not be available. Apple is not responsible for the privacy or security of transactions made with this developer”.
