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Web-based Checkout on Mobile Apps

Updated yesterday

A new unified checkout experience on mobile apps allows your users to purchase subscriptions and one-time content through a web-based checkout within the mobile app, avoiding app store fees while maintaining a seamless user experience.

What is Web-based Checkout?

The new web-based checkout is a feature that lets Uscreen customers sell subscriptions, bundles, and one-time purchases on the web, even to users who discover them inside your mobile app. This helps you:

  • 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

Who can use Web-based Checkout?

Currently, this feature is available for all U.S.-based customers with mobile apps.

How the new mobile checkout experience works:

When enabled, the web-based checkout feature:

  1. Redirects users from your app to a secure web checkout when they attempt to purchase content

  2. Processes the payment through your connected payment provider (Stripe or PayPal)

  3. Automatically grants access in the app once payment is complete

  4. Allows users to return seamlessly to the app

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

How to enable:

  1. Go to your Uscreen Admin Area

  2. Navigate to Settings > Mobile & TV Apps > Preferences

  3. Find the "External Payments" section

  4. Toggle the feature on

Supported content types

Web-based Checkout supports all monetization models:

  • Subscriptions (SVOD)

  • Bundles

  • One-time video purchases

  • Video rentals

Requirements and 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 customers

  • This is an opt-in feature for existing apps

  • For new apps, the web-based checkout will be the default payment flow

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this affect my existing subscribers?

No, existing subscribers will continue to be billed through their original payment method. Web-based checkout only applies to new purchases.

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?

We've successfully tested the new web-based checkout with multiple app store submissions. However, app store policies can change, so we recommend staying informed about the latest guidelines.

Can I use Web-based 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?

Purchases via web-based checkout on mobile apps will be tracked in your Uscreen analytics alongside your other sales data.

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