Six years later, the FT returns to Apple’s App Store
The Financial Times is launching a new iOS app in the US and the UK, more than six years after it launched a web-based mobile application in light of a dispute with Apple over revenue and data sharing.
The FT is launching another iOS app, but the renewed offering means it won't have to pay Apple 30% of its subscription revenue.
That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which reports that the new app will only be accessible to existing FT subscribers – new subscribers will have to make their purchases via the FT website before logging in, which means Apple still won’t get a cut of subscription revenue.
The FT confirmed the relaunch to The Drum, saying the August 2017 move in the US and the UK comes after trials in smaller markets.
"The FT has identified a native iOS app as a means to drive reader engagement, one of our key focuses as an organization," a rep wrote in an email. "An iOS app will serve our readers in many ways, including: improved offline reading; persistent login easier sharing; and a quicker, more seamless experience."
Apple customers have had to use the mobile web to access FT content since 2011. At the time, Rob Grimshaw, who was then online managing director at the FT, reportedly said app stores “are not a panacea” in part because of limitations in terms of discovery, as well as Apple’s demand it hand over 30% of its app subscription revenue.