Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Apple lets developers offer deals as users cancel subscriptions
Apple has made a new subscription-retention feature available to developers.
It lets apps show messages, images or special offers when a subscriber starts canceling an auto-renewing subscription.
Developers can set who is eligible to see messages and how long to wait between them.
They can also use a separate API to choose messages based on a subscriber’s details, though access to that API is by request.
Apple previously offered discounts to former subscribers, but this feature reaches people before they finish canceling.
The aim is to persuade more subscribers to stay, and users may see a discount or reasons to keep the subscription during cancellation.
Apple has made Retention Messaging available to developers as a tool to reduce subscription cancellations.
The feature lets developers show messages or special offers in the cancellation flow before a subscriber completes cancellation.
Developers can configure messages for auto-renewable subscriptions in App Store Connect.
A separate API lets developers choose messages based on subscription details, and access to it is available by request.
- Who
- Apple and developers who offer auto-renewable subscriptions.
- What
- Apple launched Retention Messaging, allowing developers to show messages or special offers during subscription cancellations.
- When
- Apple made the feature available on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- In the subscription cancellation flow for App Store subscriptions.
- Why
- To help developers reduce cancellations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Apple announced Win-Back Offers, which let developers offer discounts to former subscribers.
Apple announced Retention Messaging during WWDC.
Apple made Retention Messaging available to developers.
- Maximum messages
- Up to 10 retention messages per app
- Eligible subscriptions
- Auto-renewable subscriptions
- API access
- Available by request
- Configuration
- App Store Connect
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appear in the cancellation flow and can include text, images, or a special offer.
Retention messages will appear in the subscription cancellation flow and can include text, images, or a special offer.