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R.I.P. toggle paywall: We hardly knew ye

Blog post from RevenueCat

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Rik Haandrikman
Word Count
1,986
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

In recent developments, Apple has begun rejecting apps using the "toggle paywall" design on iOS, a pattern that allowed users to toggle a free trial on or off, often leading to confusion about subscription commitments. This design, popularized by Adam Lyttle, significantly boosted revenue and became widespread across the App Store. However, Apple cites its guidelines emphasizing transparency in subscriptions as the reason for the crackdown, noting that the toggle could mislead users into unknowingly subscribing to auto-renewing plans. Despite the rejection trend, this design remains unchallenged on other platforms like Android and the web. Developers are now encouraged to explore alternative paywall designs that prioritize transparency and user understanding, such as multi-package selectors and value-first approaches, which may convert as effectively as the toggle paywall without violating Apple's guidelines. The shift signifies a move towards more user-friendly practices, aligning with Apple's broader mission to ensure clarity and prevent deceptive subscription tactics.