Apple In-App Gifting Could Be Coming Soon

Changes to Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines have shown that the company will soon allow iOS users to gift in-app purchases.

“Apps may enable gifting of items that are eligible for in-app purchase to others. Such gifts may only be refunded to the original purchaser and may not be exchanged,” according to the new wording, which was first spotted by MacRumors.

As reports pointed out, developers will benefit from the change because it will allow users to buy and gift virtual goods or subscriptions through their apps.

This is another way to get consumers to spend on apps. A recent App Annie report revealed that consumer spending in app stores is expected to hit more than $122 billion in 2019, with that spending in app stores around the world growing five times quicker than the world economy. Overall, worldwide app store consumer spending will see a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of a staggering 29 percent.

The report also showed that roughly two-thirds of app download revenue came from Apple’s App Store. App installations are also on the rise, increasing 10.9 percent last quarter to reach 27.1 billion. In June, Apple CEO Tim Cook said developers have earned $100 billion through the Apple App Store. He also announced that the App Store had 500 million weekly visitors.

“The app store is clearly the best place for you to be rewarded for your hard work and creativity,” Cook said at the time.

Apple does has significant competition when it comes to attracting developers. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it’s changing its revenue structure so developers can earn more with their apps in the Microsoft Store. Amazon also launched Alexa Developer Rewards last year so that its developers can earn money for skills that customers use the most in the U.S., U.K. and Germany.