Apple is giving App Retailer builders a long-overdue device to raised promote in-app purchases, together with for video games. Beginning later this yr, builders will lastly have the ability to generate and distribute promo codes for any sort of in-app buy, not simply subscriptions. Right here’s the way it’s going to work.
From subscriptions to consumables and extra
Up till now, Apple’s App Retailer promo code system was largely restricted to unlocking a free obtain, or for auto-renewable subscriptions, letting builders hand out promo codes for discounted trial intervals or particular gives.
However with the upcoming change, that system is increasing to additionally cowl what Apple calls consumables, non-consumables, and non-renewing subscriptions. In observe, this implies cell video games might begin handing out codes without cost gems or additional lives at a stay occasion, or an indie productiveness app might e mail customers a one-time code for discounted unlocks.
Apple detailed the modifications in a WWDC25 session known as “What’s new in StoreKit and In-App Buy“, wherein it defined that the brand new redemption circulate will work inside apps utilizing the prevailing offerCodeRedemption API, or by way of the system UI for apps constructed with UIKit utilizing presentOfferCodeRedeemSheet.
Builders focusing on iOS 16.3 and later can undertake the function, which suggests even when an iPhone isn’t working iOS 26, it’ll nonetheless have the ability to redeem these new in-app buy promo codes. The identical back-deployment will apply throughout different platforms like iPadOS, macOS, and extra.
Apple hasn’t mentioned precisely which iOS 26 launch will embrace the function, solely that it’s coming “later this yr.” However given the timing, it’s a secure guess this can arrive as a part of iOS 26, lastly crossing off one of the crucial developer-requested StoreKit additions in years.
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