Add-On Subscriptions FAQ

The following are frequently asked questions (FAQ) about add-on subscriptions.

Q: Why do I need the add-on subscription feature if I already offer tiered subscriptions?

Although both models (tiered subscriptions and add-on subscriptions) support product differentiation, an add-on subscription offers a distinct advantage. An add-on subscription provides a simpler product structure without expanding the existing structure. Add-on subscriptions also safeguard your base subscribers, because subscribers can cancel the add-on subscription without impacting the base subscription. This feature provides your subscribers with an opportunity to try a new offering with minimal risk of disruption. It also lets you target existing base subscribers and increase revenue per paid subscriber.

Q: Can I create tiered subscriptions, promotional pricing, or retention offers on an add-on subscription?

Yes. You can create multiple tiers and terms for an add-on subscription similar to a base subscription. You can also define promotional offers, free trials, or retention offers for an add-on subscription similar to a base subscription. You can target both existing app subscribers and new subscribers with promotional offers to promote the add-on subscription.

Q: Can I sell add-on subscriptions with different plan lengths than the base plan? For example, is a monthly base plan and an annual add-on subscription combination supported?

Yes. You can sell an add-on subscription of any term with any term of the base subscription. You configure this in the Developer Console when you define the mapping of an add-on subscription to a base subscription.

Q: How does price change and price management work with add-on subscriptions? Is it similar to base subscription plans?

The existing price change mechanism applies to add-on subscriptions.

Q: For a customer who subscribes to an add-on subscription, when do you verify that they have an active base subscription plan? Is it at renewal time of the base or add-on plan, or is it a continual or periodic verification?

At the time of an add-on subscription purchase, Appstore verifies if the customer has an active base subscription. In addition, during every renewal of an add-on subscription, Appstore verifies the existence of the active base subscription.

If a customer's base subscription is canceled (voluntarily or involuntarily), Appstore verifies the existence of an add-on subscription and cancels both the add-on and base subscription and provides prorated refunds. When the add-on subscription is canceled, Appstore cancels only the add-on subscription without impacting the base subscription.

Q: If a customer fails to renew the base subscription plan due to technical reasons or payment failure (for example, their credit card expired), what happens to an add-on subscription?

When a base subscription fails to renew due to payment failure issues, the subscription goes into a grace period. If the base subscription doesn't recover, Appstore cancels the base subscription and the add-on subscription on the same date. Any balance available in the add-on subscription is refunded on a prorated basis, based on the cancellation date of the base subscription.

The customer receives two separate cancellation emails—an email for the base subscription cancellation and an email for the add-on subscription cancellation with the prorated refund.

Q: Can a customer purchase multiple add-on subscriptions within the app?

You can create multiple add-on subscriptions in the Developer Console, however, purchasing more than one add-on subscription plan at a time isn't currently supported.

Q: Are add-on subscriptions supported in all markets with an Amazon storefront for in-app purchasing or are there restrictions?

Currently, Appstore supports add-on subscriptions in US, EU, and JP marketplaces.

Q: Will I see add-on subscriptions in reporting?

Yes. Add-on subscription SKUs are available in the sales report and the subscription report similar to the base subscription report.

Q: How can I use Live App Testing (LAT) to test add-on subscriptions?

You can test the purchase journey of an add-on subscription in LAT similar to a regular subscription. In LAT, you can use accelerated subscriptions to quickly test multiple scenarios for a base and add-on subscription. Because of the reduced time difference between the two subscriptions, Amazon doesn't recommend using accelerated subscriptions to test specific subscription cancellation.

Q: Is the add-on subscription feature available on the Fire tablet? What does the experience look like for the customers on the tablet?

Currently, purchasing add-on subscriptions isn't supported on Fire tablets. However, a customer can view add-on content on a Fire tablet after purchasing it on a Fire TV.

---

Last updated: May 20, 2026