GoKawiilLast month, we reported that iOS 26.5 beta 1 hinted at new App Store subscription options. Today, Apple has made that official, with developers now able to set up and test monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment ahead of the public rollout. Here are the details.
Feature to be released worldwide, with two significant exceptions
Apple confirmed today that developers will soon be able to offer monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment on the App Store.
This will give them a way to split annual-style plans into smaller monthly payments, while still requiring users to commit to the full term.
From the user experience standpoint, Apple says that this new subscription option will let users “cancel their subscription at any time, which will prevent the subscription from renewing after they’ve completed their agreed-to payments to fulfill their commitment.”
Apple also says that “to provide transparency, people can easily view the number of completed and remaining payments for the subscription in their Apple Account,” adding that the company will send emails and push notifications when applicable to remind users of the upcoming renewal.
For developers, Apple says the new subscription type is already available in App Store Connect and for testing in Xcode. However, it is not live on the App Store just yet.
Apple says that once iOS 26.5 and its counterparts are released next month, the option will become available to users worldwide running iOS 26.4 (or later) and its counterparts, except for the United States and Singapore.
Apple’s press release doesn’t mention why monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment won’t be available at first in the United States and Singapore, nor when the feature is expected to roll out in these regions.
9to5Mac reached out to Apple for comment and will update this article if we hear back.
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