iOS users won't be able to sign up or pay for Hulu and Disney+ using the App Store

According to a report from MacRumors, Disney has pulled the plug on new signups and payments for Hulu and Disney+ through Apple’s App Store. New and returning subscribers will now need to sign up directly on the Hulu or Disney+ websites. This move cuts out the fees Disney would typically owe Apple for using in-app purchases.

Existing subscribers who already pay through the App Store aren’t affected — they can still use their Apple-linked billing. However, new users trying to subscribe via the iOS apps will be redirected to the services’ websites.

This decision is likely because Apple typically takes a 15-30% commission on digital purchases made through its platform. By eliminating App Store billing, Disney can avoid these fees to increase streaming revenue. Disney also recently raised prices for its streaming plans on October 17, bumping up Disney+ by $2 and Hulu by $1-2 depending on the plan.

This shift also follows Disney’s recent crackdown on password sharing, echoing strategies previously seen with competitors like Netflix. Streaming platforms are under increasing pressure to boost profits as competition grows and subscription growth slows.

Disney+ and Hulu’s removal from Apple’s Video Partner Program means they’ll lose some of the seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Features like Siri voice commands, AirPlay, and Universal Search may not function as smoothly as before. Users might also notice changes when accessing content through the Apple TV app, as the close integration between these streaming services and Apple technologies begins to unravel.

Despite the shift, Disney+ and Hulu content will remain accessible on Apple devices. Users can still log into their accounts on iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV to stream shows and movies. However, any new subscriptions or changes to existing plans must now be managed directly through the services’ websites. For those already paying through the App Store, billing will continue as usual for now, meaning there’s no immediate need to switch payment methods — though future changes can’t be ruled out.

This isn’t the first time a streaming giant has bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase system. Netflix stopped supporting new signups via iOS apps in 2018 and recently discontinued Apple billing for legacy users. Spotify also directs users to its website, even including a message in its app saying, “we know, it’s not ideal.” Even Audible, my go-to app for audiobooks, doesn’t let you purchase anything from the iOS app.

So it isn’t surprising to see Disney hop on board the bandwagon to avoid the “Apple tax”. It just means users with iOS devices will have to jump through a few hoops to use Disney+ and Hulu if they aren’t existing subscribers.