On Thursday, Apple revealed the Advanced Commerce API, a new API that will support additional in-app purchase forms like content add-ons and subscriptions. Additionally, the business stated that it will not be altering the compensation structure to accommodate these use cases.
Every year, the App Store handles billions of transactions to support developers in expanding their companies and provide top-notch customer service. “We’re introducing the Advanced Commerce API to further support developers’ evolving business models — such as exceptionally large content catalogs, creator experiences, and subscriptions with optional add-ons,” the company announced.
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Apple provided more details on the use cases and the three main categories in which developers and apps can apply for this program in a support paper that goes with it. Apps with a large library of one-time purchases with regular updates, like audiobooks or courses, are the first use case, according to Apple; apps that offer creator-led content, which users can purchase as a one-time or renewable subscription, are the second use case; and users purchasing add-ons within a subscription service, like extra channels, sports, or regional content, are the third use case.
Apple threatened to shut down creator platform Patreon last year if it didn’t move to the App Store’s pricing system for creative content. In response, the business stated that it will begin gradually switching its iOS app to Apple’s payment system and finish the process by November 2025. Apple may have chosen to provide a new API in order to better enable use cases such to Patreon’s.
Apple has been working to increase the value for developers to remain in the Apple ecosystem since the EU compelled the corporation to permit third-party app stores and alternative payment methods on the platform. The business began to permit emulators of old games worldwide. Additionally, it introduced a mechanism for developers to provide clients with lapsed subscriptions with discounts.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
