Apple Unlocking Upsells With Free-to-Paid Apps

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple, in a move that will help iPhone app upsells, told developers Thursday that they will be able to distribute free-to-paid apps.

Developers now can offer a free trial version of their apps, unlocking features from directly within the app as users request them and pay for them.

Until now, developers had to deliver two applications, with two unique identities, without a way to share data from the trial to the full version.

iPhone OS app developers were emailed the following message by Apple on Thursday:

“In App Purchase is being rapidly adopted by developers in their paid apps. Now you can use In App Purchase in your free apps to sell content, subscriptions and digital services.

”You can also simplify your development by creating a single version of your app that uses In App Purchase to unlock additional functionality, eliminating the need to create lite versions of your app. Using In App Purchase in your app can also help combat some of the problems of software piracy by allowing you to verify In App Purchases.”

Apple, in the email, invited developers to go here for more details.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Playboy Partners With Creator Platform Tango

Playboy has partnered with creator platform Tango, introducing Playmates to the livestreaming service.

Anti-Porn Senator Introduces Federal Age Verification Bill

U.S. Senator Jim Banks of Indiana, who last month urged the Department of Justice to ramp up obscenity prosecutions, on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make age verification by adult websites federal law.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for April, May

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for April and May.

Ondato Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Age and identity verification company Ondato has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

2026 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Now Live, Registration Opens

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

MyMember.site Integrates FSC's 'PrivateAV' Age Verification Solution

MyMember.site has integrated Free Speech Coalition's PrivateAV age verification tool into its website-building platform.

Pearl Industry Network Opens Beta for Creator Networking App

Industry trade group Pearl Industry Network (PiN) has launched beta testing for the PiN Member App, a networking and collaboration tool for content creators.

FSC: W.V. Age Verification Law Takes Effect June 12

The Free Speech Coalition has issued a reminder notice that West Virginia's age verification law takes effect on June 12, 2026.

Pineapple Support Taps Brad Mitchell, Jean-Micheal Veen for Senior Leadership Positions

Pineapple Support has named Brad Mitchell as its new board president and Jean-Micheal Veen as technology and development chair.

Polish Government Proposes AV Mandate for Adult Sites

Poland’s Council of Ministers on Tuesday endorsed a proposed national law that would require sites and platforms to age-verify users to prevent minors from accessing adult content online.

Show More