Following a $1 subscription price increase back in July, Twitch is now set to increase the prices once more — but this time, only if you sign up using one of the company’s mobile apps. And yes, that includes the iPhone app.
The move will see the price of a new Tier 1 sub increase starting from October 1, while gift sub prices will also increase. Twitch fans in more than 40 countries will be affected, with the company sending emails out to confirm the move.
In terms of prices, this means that a Twitch subscription will increase by $2, a 33% increase. Why is this only happening when subscriptions are paid for via mobile apps, you might ask? It’s probably something to do with Apple taking its App Store cut.
Customers pay for Apple’s cut
While Twitch hasn’t confirmed why the prices are being increased, plenty of people have made the connection between the hike and Apple’s 30% cut from subscription fees handled via its App Store payment system. The price increase was first reported by Dexerto.
This of course means that Twitch is passing on Apple’s cut to customers, forcing them to pay more to ensure the streaming company doesn’t lose out on its bottom line. The answer for those who don’t want to go that route is to pay for their subscriptions via the Twitch website, of course, but that might not be viable for everyone.
“Starting October 1, we’re increasing new Tier 1 sub and gift sub prices on the mobile app in over 40 countries,” the streamer reportedly confirmed in a post on the X social network. “We are notifying streamers and subscribers in these countries via email.”