Twitter has reintroduced its subscription-based service, Twitter Blue, which includes a verification badge and other exclusive features for members. While Elon Musk had previously announced an $8 monthly subscription fee, the relaunch consists of a $3 surcharge for iPhone users.
In a tweet on Saturday, the company stated that customers who join via the web would pay $8 per month. In contrast, those who subscribe via iOS will pay $11 per month to gain access to subscriber-only features such as the “blue verification checkmark.” Users who subscribe using the Twitter app on their iPhone or other iOS devices rather than the Twitter website will have to pay $3 extra.
Must Read: Elon Musk to Charge Twitter Verification Fee
The higher pricing on iOS is said to compensate for Apple’s 30% commission on in-app sales. Meanwhile, Android places no extra charge on the app. Twitter noted that iPhone users subscribing through the web could pay the standard amount of $8. The news comes less than a month after Twitter suspended its premium subscription service in response to an increase in impersonation of organisations and personalities on the platform.
we’re relaunching @TwitterBlue on Monday – subscribe on web for $8/month or on iOS for $11/month to get access to subscriber-only features, including the blue checkmark ? pic.twitter.com/DvvsLoSO50
— Twitter (@Twitter) December 10, 2022
“We’re relaunching @TwitterBlue on Monday – subscribe on the web for $8/month or on iOS for $11/month to get access to subscriber-only features, including the blue checkmark,” Twitter announced. You’ll get Edit Tweet, 1080p video uploads, reader mode, and a blue checkmark when you subscribe (after your account has been reviewed). We’ll replace the “official” label with a gold checkmark for businesses and a grey checkmark for government and multilateral accounts later this week. Subscribers can modify their handle, display name, or profile photo, but doing so will temporarily lose the blue checkmark until their account is approved again.”
Must Read: Elon Musk Fires Twitter-Africa Employees in Mass
The additional payment for iPhone users reflects Apple’s 30% split on app income from iOS, its operating system for iPhones and iPads. Musk began criticising Apple late last month for its commissions on platform purchases and claimed that Apple had threatened to remove Twitter from its App Store. Musk later retracted his comments after meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.