Netflix's iOS app now features a sign-up button that will take you to the company's site to subscribe to one of its plans with no fees from Apple's App Store. The change follows March statements by Apple saying that "reader" apps — apps offering digital copies of books and videos, for example — are allowed to offer an external link to their website for account creation.

As first spotted by 9to5Mac, the new sign-up screen shows a sign-up button which leads you to netflix.com/join. But before landing on the site, the application displays its warning screen which says that one is no longer transacting with Apple's system and all the processes linked to it are managed directly by Netflix. This new button will hit the shelves of users all over the globe.

"Any account or purchases made outside of this app will be handled by the app developer 'Netflix.' Your App Store account, saved payment methods and associated features like subscription management and requesting refunds will not be accessible. Apple is not responsible for the privacy or security of purchases made with this developer," the warning modal says.

Notably, Apple has asked developers in South Korea and Netherlands (only dating apps) to use similar modals for using alternative payment systems for in-app purchases.

Apple takes 30% fees (or 15% for small developers) from apps on selling subscriptions through the App Store's payment system. Although Netflix has traditionally let you sign up for the service on your iPhone, it eliminated the iTunes billing in 2018 to avoid paying commission. Instead, Netflix's iOS app only offered a sign-in option without having an in-app process or link to its website where you could create your account. The streaming giant will, hopefully, welcome more new users to the platform with the new sign-up button appearing on iOS.

Compare this to how Android actually makes you create an account in which it requires you to add an email ID, and later emails you with information on how to buy a plan in order to access the app and watch content.

Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney commented on this development saying that games still don't get to do this. To no one's surprise, the company has been arguing in the lawsuit against Apple that App Store does not allow developers to use third-party payment methods for in-app purchases.

Now Netflix is shunting iOS users off to payment methods outside of Apple's 30% App Tax. Games can't do that. Can Roblox? Is that what that weird court exchange about Roblox graduating from "game" to "experience" was all about? https://t.co/CpT09mRkXO

A report from Sensor Tower published earlier this month suggested that revenue generated by non-game apps on the U.S. App Store finally surpassed revenues for games for the first time in May and June. And with that trend likely to continue, Apple may need to rethink some of its rules for apps linking out for subscription purchases while avoiding App Store fees.

Last week, Netflix announced its Q2 2022 earnings with a loss of 970,000 subscribers; it lost 200,00 subscribers in the last quarter. Given the company’s stock has plummeted by over 60% this year, it’s in desperate need to get more people on its platform. The company has already talked about measures like adding extra fees for password sharing for members outside a household and an ad-supported plan that will launch next year.