Apple's Persistent Promotions in iOS Settings Draw User Backlash
iPhone users are complaining about persistent promotional banners for iCloud+, Apple Music and AppleCare+ inside the iOS Settings app that often cannot be dismissed, according to a TechRadar report.
The promotions appear near the top of the iPhone display inside Settings. They push several Apple products at the user, including paid iCloud+ storage tiers, free trials for services such as Apple Music and Apple TV, and the AppleCare+ extended warranty program.
According to TechRadar, the only ways to clear these prompts are to let them expire, which in many cases takes weeks or even months while a persistent notification badge remains on the Settings app, or to pay for the service being advertised. A dismiss button is not always present, and when one is, some users have reported that it does not appear to work.
The complaints have spread across social media and Reddit. "I'm feeling like this is nearly on-par with the ens***ification that Microsoft introduced with Start menu ads," one aggravated user said, according to TechRadar, while another wrote, "I wish Apple would just stop that crap." The volume of posts on Reddit suggested the discontent was widespread rather than isolated.
Some of the offers, including the Apple Music promotion, appear after a customer has bought a new Apple product. TechRadar noted that with Apple recently launching the iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro range, the sudden influx of irritated posts is perhaps unsurprising.
The practice sits awkwardly with Apple's long-standing positioning as a premium brand for which user experience is paramount, and it follows price increases on the iPhone that have already stretched buyers. But Apple has placed increasing emphasis on services revenue in recent years, and iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV and AppleCare+ are all part of that push. With limited room for growth in the smartphone market, the company is turning to areas where it believes it can make more progress.
TechRadar reported that at least some of the promotions may be appearing because of a bug. The iCloud+ banner in particular has drawn comments from users who already subscribe to iCloud+, and who would therefore not be expected to see it. Whether Apple fixes that issue or leaves the banners in place remains to be seen; if the latter happens, it would suggest the messages are not appearing erroneously.
According to TechRadar, Apple's services push shows no sign of slowing, and further ads are reportedly planned for features such as the company's Visual Intelligence system, which suggests users should not expect a change of approach soon.