Apple opens multiseat subscription purchasing to businesses and schools

Apple has opened multiseat purchasing for app subscriptions, letting organizations and schools buy many seats at once, according to a post on the Apple Developer news page dated October 22.

Under the new setup, organizations that use Apple Business or Apple School Manager can purchase the number of seats they need through a single Apple In-App Purchase. Apple says buyers can then assign and manage those seats with their existing device management tools, and can add or remove seats whenever they want.

For developers, the feature is switched on by default in App Store Connect for subscriptions, unless they previously changed the setting. Once enabled, a subscription can be bought through Apple Business, Apple School Manager and the App Store. Apple notes that developers can adjust these availability options at any time.

Apple also says multiseat purchasing works with subscription groups. Starting October 28, developers will be able to configure and test group purchases using a Sandbox Apple Account, so they can prepare before launch. According to Apple, group purchases will arrive on the App Store this winter. They will let people buy multiple seats and invite others to access the subscription.

The company points developers to documentation for managing purchase options on auto-renewable subscriptions, as well as App Store Connect API material on configuring multiseat subscriptions for organizations. It also links to a WWDC26 session on offering subscriptions to groups and organizations.

The change matters mainly for software makers that sell to teams, classrooms and companies. Until now, those customers have often had to rely on workarounds such as individual subscriptions or arrangements outside the App Store. A single in-app purchase flow tied to Apple's business and education management tools could make buying and deploying seats simpler for IT administrators.

Apple's post does not say which developers are already using the feature, and it does not give a precise date for the winter rollout of group purchases on the consumer App Store. Cupertino News will follow up if Apple adds details.