Apple unveils new iPhone in-app purchase features
Apple’s Advanced Commerce API is a new software framework that helps developers better manage specific types of in-app purchases on iPhone.
The new API is particularly handy for third-party apps which provide many digital purchases, including games offering virtual items and apps with premium features and extra content. For games, this means eliminating custom in-game currency systems because the Advanced Commerce API makes it possible to buy such digital items directly. The new API has the same fee structure as the existing one.
Video streaming apps that offer additional channels and various subscriptions could also benefit from the new API as they can implement subscription bundles directly without relying on third-party payments for each channel.
Apple’s Advanced Commerce API makes iPhone in-app purchases better
Not all third-party developers are eligible for the Advanced Commerce API. Apple will determine eligibility based on specific apps, developer needs and business models.
The announcement on Apple’s Developer website explains that only apps offering a wide range of add-on content and in-app purchases will be able to take advantage of the new API, “such as exceptionally large content catalogs, creator experiences and subscriptions with optional add-ons.“ Apple provided these examples of the supported business models on the Advanced Commerce API page.
Exceptionally large catalogs of one-time purchases. Apps that host large libraries of content, where new items — such as an audiobook, class or course — are frequently added and each is merchandised as a single In-App Purchase. People can buy a single In-App Purchase or multiple depending on their needs.
Exceptionally large catalogs of subscription content. Apps that include frequently added content from multiple creators, with frequent additions where each creator’s offering is merchandised as a single auto-renewable subscription. People can subscribe to one or multiple subscriptions within the app, each as a single In-App Purchase.
Provide access to subscriptions with optional add-on content as a single purchase within the same app as part of its core offering. People can subscribe to a specific service as well as additional add-on content or services, all of which auto-renew as a single subscription within the same app. For example, an entertainment app that offers a subscription along with additional subscription add-ons, such as premium channels, sports or regional content.
Apps not eligible for the Advanced Commerce API include those that use external web payments instead of Apple’s In-App Purchase mechanism and those that are incompatible with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, visionOS 1 or watchOS 8 or higher.
The in-app purchase system can result in unwanted charges, especially if you have kids. If you don’t want to use this feature, follow the steps in our tutorial to turn off all in-app purchases on your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Another way you can save money is by perusing our tips for keeping app subscriptions under control.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/01/24/apple-iphone-in-app-purchase-advanced-commerce-api/
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