Subscription (Purchase) Deferral

Deferred Payment definition

The Google Play Developer API offers subscription purchase deferral, which allows developers to delay subscription purchases for a limited time period. This feature is beneficial for various reasons, such as offering users a free trial or allowing them to postpone payment due to financial challenges.

Following the deferred payment definition, the API allows developers to manage subscription deferrals by setting up deferral periods, retrieving information on deferred subscriptions, and canceling or resuming deferred subscriptions as needed. Additionally, the API provides reporting tools that enable developers to track the number of deferred subscriptions, revenue, and other metrics related to their app’s subscription model.

During the deferral period, subscribers can still access the content or services associated with the subscription but will not be charged until the deferral period ends. The developer sets the length of the deferral period, which can range from a few days to several weeks.

To give users free access as part of a bundle or special offer, such as giving free access to web content to users who subscribe to a print magazine, developers can use deferred billing. Billing can be deferred by up to one year per call to the API, and developers can call the API again to defer billing further. It is recommended to notify the user by email or within the app when their billing date changes. This feature works the same for free trials and current subscriptions.