Retention Messaging
Win back subscribers with Apple’s Retention Messaging API
Apple’s Retention Messaging API puts your message on the cancellation screen. Create it in Adapty, show the right one to every subscriber, and track the results. No backend to build.
30K apps use Adapty to grow subscription revenue
The right message for each cancellation. Up to 5.16% of subscribers saved from churn
A reminder, an offer, or a different plan. Give subscribers a reason to reconsider.
Best observed result among early adopters using Adapty
No backend required
Run Apple Retention Messaging from one dashboard
Create and preview in one place
Create your message, choose which subscriptions it applies to, and preview how it will look for your users.
Speak their language
Add translations yourself or translate all your languages with AI in one click.
See retention and revenue by message
Track message views and retention outcomes in Adapty. Compare results across messages to decide what to improve next.
Leave delivery to us
Adapty handles Apple’s real-time requests and response-time requirements, with default messages as a fallback.
Launch Retention Messaging in three steps
Connect your app
Add your App Store Connect credentials and products. Request access from Apple using the URL Adapty provides.
Test the connection
Once approved, create a sandbox subscription and run Apple’s required performance test from Adapty.
Create your messages and launch
Switch to production, add your content and translations, and submit for Apple’s review. Your messages go live once approved.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Apple’s Retention Messaging API lets you choose which message a subscriber sees on the cancellation screen. Apple asks your server for a message in real time, and you pick one you prepared: text, an image, a promotional offer, or a switch to another plan. Access needs Apple’s approval. Adapty runs the server for you. How the API works.
On Apple’s Confirm Cancellation screen, after a subscriber taps Cancel Subscription in Settings or on the App Store, outside your app. Retention messages appear on iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, macOS 14, and visionOS 1 or later. Subscribers on older versions see the plain confirmation screen.
Since November 2026, App Store Connect lets you set one retention message per subscription, and every subscriber sees the same one. Adapty picks the right message for every subscriber, offers plan switches, translates with AI, and shows the revenue each message saves. A/B tests and segments are coming soon.
The API needs a server that answers Apple within its time limit and passes Apple’s performance test. Adapty runs that server for you. You create and translate messages and track retention and revenue in one dashboard.
No SDK update or app release is required for Retention Messaging. You configure the feature in Adapty and complete Apple’s setup and review process.
In our customers’ experience, Apple’s access review has taken up to a month. After approval, you complete a sandbox performance test and submit your production messages for review. Read the setup guide.
Custom user segmentation and A/B testing are coming soon. Today, you can assign messages to subscription products and add translations.
No. You can use text alone or add an image. Offers and alternative plans give you more ways to encourage subscribers to stay.
