Tips for Saving Money on iPhone App Subscriptions

Nowadays, subscription services are a dime a dozen. No matter which app or platform you use, chances are they offer a subscription service. Not only that, but these are also likely to be a bit more expensive than you prefer.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to save money on subscriptions. All you need to do is use your iPhone.

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Granted, this tip might not work all the time. But if it does work, you’ll save at least a couple of bucks every month, which can add up over time. Read on for what you need to do.

How Can Your iPhone Save You Money on Subscriptions?

As you probably already know, when you subscribe to an app or platform on your iPhone, you’re subscribing through the App Store. This means you’ll only be able to cancel or manage your subscriptions with an Apple device.

This feature has its own drawbacks and benefits, but one excellent advantage is that you’ll find all your subscription services in one place.

However, even though the app may not mention it when you subscribe, sometimes other subscription plans are available that are cheaper than the one you chose.

If another plan is available, you can choose it right away, and you’ll start saving money by next month. 

Here’s how to find your active subscriptions:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on your Apple ID (your name) at the top of the settings page.
3. Go to Subscriptions.
4. Choose the subscription you want to change.
5. If more plans are available, a See All Plans option will appear on the right side of your current plan. Select this.
6. Choose a cheaper plan if one is available.
7. Use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm your decision.

And that’s it. The new subscription tier will be applied in your next billing cycle. Hopefully, the new option will be cheaper, although that sometimes means you’ll lose a few benefits. 

For instance, with some streaming services, cheaper tiers might require you to sit through ads while watching a movie or show, or you may have a smaller library selection available.

Still, this is a smart way to save some money without canceling your subscriptions. If you change your mind, you can always follow the steps above to return to your older subscription tier.

Other Ways to Save More Cash in Subscriptions

There are other quick tips you can follow if you want to save some money every month with your subscriptions. Granted, not all of them might apply to you, but you can still try to save as much money as possible with this.

Choose a Yearly Plan

Yearly plans are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you’ll save more money if you pay upfront for the whole year. On the other hand, you’ll need to spend a lot more in one go.

We recommend you choose a yearly plan if you can afford it and are completely sure that you will be using the app or platform every month or at least long enough to make it worthwhile. Just be sure you’re going to stick with it, as you can’t get a refund if you change your mind.

Consider Subscribing Outside the App Store

While the tip we mentioned earlier only works if you subscribe to an app or service with your iPhone, sometimes, you might save more money if you do it on a regular browser. 

The reason is that when you subscribe to a service with the App Store, the developer behind the app will need to give Apple a portion of that money. Some developers charge you more to cover Apple’s cut, so check the app’s official website and see if the price is the same or cheaper. YouTube Premium is an excellent example; a subscription through the YouTube app costs $18.99 per month, while you can sign up directly on YouTube’s website for only $13.99.

Use Free Alternatives

There are many alternatives for each of the more important subscription services, and you can probably find one that meets your needs without spending a lot of money. 

For instance, instead of paying for a Microsoft Office subscription, you can use free services like Apple Pages or Google Docs, which offer many of the same features at no cost.

You don’t have to do this with all your subscriptions but try to find alternatives whenever you can.

Actively Manage Your Subscriptions

This one can be a bit tough, but if you actively manage your subscriptions, you might see more savings every month. You’ll need to understand which apps you don’t use every month and cancel your subscription when you’re not using them.

For instance, you can cancel Netflix if you’re binge-watching a show on Prime Video and get rid of the latter when a new show or movie on Netflix catches your eye. This might be tough at first, but you’ll understand which apps you’re not using as much as you think you would.

Use a Family Plan

Some apps and services have a family plan that’s usually more expensive. The advantage is that you’ll be able to share the benefits of an app or service with your family, and you’ll be able to ask them for money to pay for it. That way, you don’t have to pay the total price for a service you all enjoy. Just keep in mind that some services have restrictions on what constitutes a “family,” and big streaming providers like Netflix and Disney will crack down if you’re sharing your account beyond the confines of your household.

Keep Your Expenses Low

These simple iPhone tricks can ensure you’re paying as little as possible for all your app subscriptions. Granted, you might not save as much money as you’d like, but every dollar counts in today’s economy.