Hulu and Disney+ no longer available for sign-up on App Store

Disney has recently made a significant change in how customers can purchase subscriptions for Hulu and Disney+ through Apple’s App Store. According to a Reddit user who discovered the updated language on the help centers for both Hulu and Disney+, new and returning subscribers are no longer able to sign up and pay for these streaming services through Apple. While existing subscribers won’t be affected, those looking to start a new subscription or restart an old one will need to do so directly on the Hulu or Disney+ websites.

The decision to discontinue subscription purchases through the App Store is a strategic move by Disney to avoid paying Apple a fee of 15% or 30% on every in-app purchase, including recurring subscriptions. By directing users to sign up directly on their websites, Disney can bypass these fees and retain more revenue from new subscriptions. This change ensures that Disney does not have to share a portion of its subscription revenue with Apple.

This shift in subscription purchasing methods follows a trend among top services in recent years. For example, Netflix stopped offering subscriptions through its iOS app in 2018 and even required some App Store subscribers to change their payment methods earlier this year. Similarly, Amazon does not allow customers to buy books through its Kindle app, requiring users to make purchases through a web browser.

It is important to note that Disney’s decision to halt subscription sign-ups through the App Store coincides with the latest round of price increases for both Hulu and Disney+. This move may impact the user experience by temporarily redirecting users away from the app to complete their subscription purchase. However, it aligns with a broader industry trend of major streaming services seeking more control over their subscription revenue and customer relationships.

As streaming services continue to evolve and adapt to changing market dynamics, how users access and pay for subscriptions is likely to remain a topic of interest for both companies and consumers. Disney’s decision to shift away from App Store subscriptions underscores the competitive landscape and the importance of direct customer relationships in the streaming industry.