The expectation when you download an app is that it will provide the enjoyment or services it claims it can provide, without sneaking in any additional ways of getting your money or data.
But that’s just not the reality with many apps, especially those that are free upfront. If an app costs nothing to download, you should assume the software developers will want to make money in some other way. Often it can be through third-party advertisers that get funneled in your data so that they can better target ads to you. Other times it’s through more covert methods of signing you up for so-called “free” trials that then become very costly subscriptions once the trial period has ended.
This isn’t an uncommon practice, but it helps to be aware of red flags like unclear “free trial” end dates, and “premium features” that can be unlocked with a small fee and that can lead to the app signing you up for cumbersome and expensive subscriptions. Here are two apps that have been found to sign up users with subscriptions and access their data.
Apps With In-App Purchases
No, this doesn’t mean ALL apps that indicate they offer in-app purchases should be avoided. Many apps, including popular photo editing apps, allow you to use their basic features for free. You can crop your photos, balance out their hues, and perform other basic functions without paying anything. But what these apps do is lure you in to spend more money and purchase a costly subscription by showing you all of the sophisticated features you can’t use unless you’re willing to pay for a trial period.
There’s nothing wrong with an app showing you other feature options and requiring payment for them, but it helps to read the fine print in the Apple Store before downloading an app so that you aren’t disappointed later on when you realize it is limited in what it can do — unless you’re willing to purchase a subscription.
“App Plus” Subscriptions
When you’re searching for an app in the App Store and come upon one that says “App Plus” at top, this means it’s a premium or upgraded version of a basic app. It has additional or enhanced features and may provide an ad-free experience or more customization options. But it also means you’re going to pay more and it’s a good idea to carefully read the app description and decide if you think it’s worth the extra money. Avoid downloading apps that lack clear, cohesive descriptions about what they offer and whether any additional add-in purchases are required to unlock more features.
