Netflix has made a small change to its iOS app that will now take people from the app to its website to finish signing up for a subscription.
Tapping the new sign up button in the Netflix app brings up a new window telling people they're going to an external website and "no longer doing business with Apple," as first seen. . The message adds that Apple will not be held responsible for anything that happens to you on the streaming service. If you would like a refund or have concerns about the security of the transaction, you will need to discuss it with Netflix.
9to5 Mac reports that this change will roll out globally. We contacted Netflix and asked if they could confirm this. We will update this story if the platform comes back to us.
iOS changes
Although it's a minor tweak, the updated Netflix app speaks to the evolving iOS environment for developers and users. This shows that Apple is starting to be nice to developers by relaxing its notoriously strict rules on the App Store. For the everyday consumer, signing up for Netflix on iOS has never been easier.
Netflix previously allowed users to sign up for its service directly through the iOS app, but removed that option due to Apple's policy of reducing all in-app purchases by 30%. Also, Apple would not allow developers to add an external link to their website to avoid these high fees. Users first had to purchase a separate Netflix subscription and then download the Netflix app in order to stream. It wasn't the most difficult task, but it added unnecessary extra steps.
What was once a strict rule, however, has begun to loosen.
In March 2022 (opens in a new tab), Apple announced a policy adjustment that would allow "reader" apps to provide links to their own subscription pages. Apple's new attitude is driven, in part, by pressure for change. There's a new Dutch law, for example, that requires non-iOS payment options for people using dating apps in the Netherlands. Similarly, South Korea enacted a law in 2021 that allows developers to circumvent Apple's fees.
At a glance, it looks like Apple has tweaked the reader app to avoid future headaches, but there's one major omission.
Analysis: what about video games?
Apple's App Store guidelines define a reading app (opens in a new tab) as an app that provides some form of digital content as its primary function. Magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video applications are included in this category, but video games are not.
This omission was pointed out by Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney on Twitter (opens in a new tab). He complained that since Netflix can now avoid "30 years of Apple App Tax," why not video games? Epic Games sued Apple over the 30% cut in 2020. The judge in the case ruled against Apple, apparently allowing developers (opens in a new tab) to implement their own third-party payment systems to avoid fees. The court ruling arguably paved the way for the March 2022 policy change, but games still aren't included in the definition of a gaming app.
We asked Apple if there are plans to extend support for external links to video games so developers can avoid fees. All we got in return were links to the reading app definition (opens in a new tab). We then asked why video games are not included in the definition, but we have not yet had an answer.
Speaking of which, if you're interested in iOS video games, TechRadar has a massive list of the best for 2022.