App Store set for app price hike
Bad news as the cost of living crisis bites
Apple has announced to developers that it plans to increase App Store prices around the world. It will make for uncomfortable reading given the cost of living crisis.
The change will affect apps and in-app purchases in various nations, including Chile, Japan, Pakistan, and Vietnam, plus any country that uses the euro as a currency. Apple did not specify how much prices are set to increase, but said the new fees will come into effect “as early as 5 October, 2022”.
Developers can price their apps according to set tiers, and it is those tiers that are changing. For example, the first euro tier is going up from €0.99 to € 1.19 (while the very highest tier listed will rise from €999 to € 1,199). Apple added that developers can choose to keep prices the same for existing subscribers to their apps.
Right now, the UK does not seem to be affected, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future. Apple has increased App Store prices before in the UK, with prices rising by around 25% in 2017.
It is thought one reason for the current increases is the euro’s weakness against the dollar. With the pound also struggling in this regard, don’t be surprised if Apple soon follows suit with price rises in the UK.