What are Mobile External Purchases
Normally, all payments made within a mobile app must go through the app store’s payment system (Apple App Store or Google Play). This means app stores collect a 15–30% commission on every in-app purchase.
The Mobile External Purchases feature addresses these changes.
When enabled, it allows your Members in qualifying countries to complete their purchases directly through a secure web checkout, even when they start the purchase flow inside your mobile app.
This means you can:
Avoid the high app store fees of 15-30%
Access all acquisition and checkout features (coupons, subscription upsells, localized pricing)
Keep more of your revenue
Provide instant in-app access after purchase.
Mobile External Checkout Experience
When enabled, the Mobile External Purchases feature redirects members to your web checkout when they start a purchase in the app.
Once payment is complete, access is instantly unlocked in the app.
Steps
The member selects a video or subscription offered in your app
The app opens a secure web checkout page
The member completes payment using your connected provider (Stripe or PayPal)
Uscreen automatically grants access to the app
After completion, the member returns seamlessly to your app experience
ℹ️ INFO: The external web checkout is the same as your standard web checkout, except that it opens automatically in a mobile browser and, after completion, redirects back to the app.
🔗 Learn more about the Web Checkout
Benefits
Reduced fees: Save 15-30% on app store commissions
Feature parity: Access web features unavailable in traditional in-app purchases:
Coupons
Gift subscriptions
Subscription pausing
Churn reduction tools
Referral programs
Try again for free
Cover my fees
Localized pricing
Cancellation confirmation emails
Flexible payment methods: Offer multiple payment options through your web checkout
Enabling the Feature
📝 NOTE: Before you begin, the Get Started button will be disabled if your store has no subscription plans created. Hover over the button to see a tooltip explaining that you must set up at least one web subscription plan before enabling Mobile External Purchases.
🔗 Learn about Creating Subscription Plans
Navigate to Settings > Checkout
Find and scroll down to the External Payments card
Click Get Started
When the MEP card expands, review the info banner at the bottom of the dialog
Follow the remaining onscreen prompts to complete setup
📝 NOTE: Make sure your App offers match your web plan offers before enabling Mobile External Purchases. For example, if you offer a monthly $9.99 and a yearly $99.99 on the web, you must offer the same plans in-app. Mismatched plans may cause issues with Apple and Google compliance.
Supported Offer Types
Mobile External Purchases Checkout supports all monetization models.
Subscriptions (SVOD)
Bundles
One-time video purchases
Video rentals
Requirements & Considerations
Your mobile app must be on version 3.29 or higher
You must have a connected payment provider (Stripe or PayPal)
You must have at least one publicly available web subscription plan created; otherwise, the Get Started button will be disabled until this requirement is met
The subscriptions you offer publicly on web must match the subscriptions you offer in-app (example: if you offer a monthly $9.99 and a yearly $99.99 on web, you must offer the same subscriptions in-app)
This is an opt-in feature for existing apps
For new apps, the Mobile External Purchases checkout will be the default payment flow
Enabling this feature requires an app update request. You'll need to submit a request to have the App Launch Team enable external checkout and resubmit your app through the standard Apple review process
There may be some lag time before you see the new checkout flow after the app update is approved
🔗 Learn more about Requesting an App Update
⚠️ WARNING: For now, the feature cannot be disabled once enabled. Once you opt in to Mobile External Purchases, you cannot revert to the previous in-app purchase flow. Please ensure you're ready to make this change before submitting your app update request.
FAQs
Will this affect my existing subscribers?
Will this affect my existing subscribers?
No, existing subscribers will continue to be billed through their original payment method. Mobile External Purchases checkout is only available for new purchases.
Why is the "Get Started" button grayed out?
Why is the "Get Started" button grayed out?
The Get Started button is disabled if your store has no subscription plans created. You must set up at least one publicly available web subscription plan before you can enable Mobile External Purchases. Once a plan is created, the button will become active.
Why do my app and web subscription plans need to match?
Why do my app and web subscription plans need to match?
Apple and Google require that the offers available in your app align with what you offer on your web checkout. Mismatched plans can lead to app store compliance issues or rejection during the app review process. Before enabling the feature, ensure your in-app subscription options mirror your web plans in terms of pricing and billing intervals.
Do MEP subscribers receive a cancellation confirmation email?
Do MEP subscribers receive a cancellation confirmation email?
Yes. When an MEP subscription is canceled, the member automatically receives the same cancellation confirmation email as subscribers on standard web plans. No action is required from you, as this happens automatically.
Will this disrupt my app's approval process?
Will this disrupt my app's approval process?
We've successfully tested the new Mobile External Purchases checkout with multiple app store submissions. However, app store policies can change, so we recommend staying informed about the latest guidelines.
Can I use Mobile External Purchases Checkout with custom checkout solutions?
Can I use Mobile External Purchases Checkout with custom checkout solutions?
Yes, this works with custom checkout solutions implemented through Zapier or our API. However, this requires additional setup and technical knowledge.
How will this affect my analytics and reporting?
How will this affect my analytics and reporting?
Purchases via Mobile External Purchases checkout on mobile apps will be tracked in your Uscreen analytics alongside your other sales data.
💬 We'd love to hear from you, so here's how you can submit feedback.