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.
📝 NOTE: This feature is currently in a Closed Beta. It is only available to purchasers inside the United States. Temporarily, it is also only available on iOS.
When enabled, it allows your Members 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
Member selects a paid video or subscription 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
Flexible payment methods: Offer multiple payment options through your web checkout
Enabling the Feature
Navigate to Settings > Checkout
Find and scroll down to the External Payments card
Click Get Started
Follow the onscreen prompt
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 3.26 or higher
You must have a connected payment provider (Stripe or PayPal)
The feature is currently available only for U.S.-based purchasers
This is an opt-in feature for existing apps
For new apps, the Mobile External Purchases checkout will be the default payment flow
For now, the feature cannot be disabled once enabled
Your apps can update immediately, however there might be some lag time before you see the new checkout flow
App resubmission is not always necessary, but sometimes may be needed by the app store
🔗 Learn more about Requesting an App Update
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.
Can I use this feature outside the United States?
Can I use this feature outside the United States?
Currently, this is only available for U.S.-based customers. We're working on expanding availability to other regions.
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.