Renewing Apple Developer Program Membership: Cost & Deadlines
Apple Developer Program membership renews annually at $99 — and unlike a one-time registration, it’s easy to miss the renewal window, which directly affects whether your published apps stay available. Here’s how the renewal cycle works and what to do if you fall behind.
When and how Apple reminds you to renew
Apple sends notifications to the email tied to your account in stages before your membership expires — typically at 60, 30, and a few days out. Notifications go to both the Account Holder and any designated Admins.
How renewal actually works
- With Auto-Renew enabled — your linked card is charged automatically a few days before expiration, no action needed.
- Without Auto-Renew — you need to manually pay for renewal through the Membership section at developer.apple.com/account before your current term ends.
You can turn auto-renewal on or off anytime in your membership settings — it’s generally worth keeping it on to avoid missing the deadline by accident.
What happens if payment fails or renewal is missed
- Grace period — after membership expires, Apple gives you a limited window during which apps stay available on the App Store, though access to some developer tools may already be restricted.
- Apps pulled from the store — once the grace period ends, apps are automatically removed from the App Store until you renew. Users who already installed the app typically keep using it, but new downloads become unavailable.
- TestFlight and builds — access to TestFlight and uploading new builds gets blocked as soon as membership expires, even before the publication grace period runs out.
Common reasons a charge fails
- an expired card on file;
- insufficient funds;
- the bank flagging the transaction as suspicious (common with international payments);
- payment details changed without updating them in Apple Developer settings.
How to renew after a lapse
- Update your payment details under Account → Membership.
- Manually trigger renewal payment if auto-renewal didn’t go through.
- Once payment succeeds, app access and App Store visibility are usually restored fairly quickly, without needing to reapply — unlike a full lockout for an agreement violation.
How to avoid renewal problems in the first place
- Keep your linked card current, and update it as soon as it’s reissued.
- Designate more than one Admin with access to payment settings, in case the sole responsible person is unavailable at renewal time.
- Turn on Auto-Renew, and set your own personal reminder a week ahead of the expected charge date as backup.
- Check the email tied to your Apple ID regularly for renewal notices — don’t rely solely on the automatic charge.
FAQ
Can I get a refund if I decide not to renew right after paying?
Apple offers a 14-day refund window, provided you haven’t used developer tools or program services after payment.
What happens to app data (reviews, ratings) if membership lapses and is later renewed?
Review and rating history is preserved — being pulled from the store doesn’t mean the app’s data is deleted; it returns to its prior state after renewal.
Does the renewal price differ from the initial registration price?
No — renewal and initial registration cost the same, $99/year for standard membership.
This article is independent and not affiliated with Apple Inc. For official membership information, see developer.apple.com/support/membership.
Related: How Much Does a Developer Account Cost: Apple vs Google Play · Apple Developer Account Locked: How to Recover Access · Adding Team Members in Apple Developer & App Store Connect