💳 Subscriptions (Monthly, Annual, Codes, and iOS Billing Explained)

✅ What this covers

• Monthly vs Annual subscriptions
• Subscription codes from the store
• iOS (Apple) subscriptions
• How billing and renewal actually works

Time: 2–5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

🚨 Start Here (Important)

👉 There are 3 different ways to get Premium:

1. Website subscription (monthly or annual)
2. Subscription code (store purchase)
3. Apple (iOS) in-app subscription

These are NOT interchangeable systems

🔁 Option 1 — Website Subscription (Monthly or Annual)

Monthly Subscription

• You are billed every month
• Billing starts on the day you subscribe
• Continues until canceled

Annual Subscription

• You are billed once per year
• Automatically renews each year

👉 Both renew automatically unless canceled

🧠 Key Difference

• Monthly → lower upfront cost, higher total over time
• Annual → higher upfront cost, cheaper long-term

⚠️ Important

• Canceling stops future charges, but access continues until the end of the billing period
  
• You can Unsubscribe via the same Billing page where you set up your Subscription
• Promo codes only apply a discount to Monthly subscriptions, and do not affect Annual ones
  
• Some cards do not handle recurring subscriptions with our payment processor and have a CVV error
  
• If you experience this, you must purchase a subscription code instead, as these do not recur

🎟️ Option 2 — Subscription Codes (Store Purchases)

Piano Marvel Store

What these are

• Prepaid Premium access (3, 6, 12 months, etc.)
• Purchased from the Piano Marvel Store

How they work

• You receive a code in the email you enter during checkout (Check Spam)
  
• Apply it to your account following the instructions in the email
• Premium access is added immediately

🔑 Important Behavior

• Codes DO NOT auto-renew
• They simply add time to your account
• If you already have a subscription:
  • The code extends your subscription period

⚠️ Key Advantage

• No recurring billing
• Good for gifts or fixed-term access
  
• Good for students to use for one semester only

⚠️ Common Confusion

“Will I lose progress if I use a code?”

👉 No—codes apply to your existing account and keep all progress intact

🍎 Option 3 — Apple (iOS) Subscription

How it works

• Purchased through the iPhone/iPad app
• Billed through your Apple ID
• Managed in Apple’s subscription system

Key Rules

• Auto-renews unless canceled
• Apple handles billing, not Piano Marvel
• Payment is charged to your Apple account at purchase and renewal

⚠️ Critical Limitation

Apple subscriptions are separate from website subscriptions

🚨 Important Scenario

If you:

• Have an Apple subscription
• Then buy a code or website plan

👉 You must:

• Cancel the Apple subscription first
• Wait for it to expire
• Then apply the new plan

🔄 Switching Between Subscription Types

From Monthly → Annual (Website)

• Change in your Account → Billing settings

From Apple → Website or Code

• Cancel Apple subscription
• Wait for expiration
• Then apply new plan

From Code → Subscription

• When the code expires:
  • You can subscribe normally

⚠️ Common Problems (and Why They Happen)

❌ “I paid but don’t have Premium”

• Logged into wrong account
• Subscription tied to different email or Apple ID
  
• Purchased subscription code but did not apply code to account yet

❌ “I have two subscriptions”

• One through Apple on one account
• One through website on another account
  
• Upgraded multiple accounts with same email but different login methods

👉 These do NOT sync automatically

❌ “My subscription renewed but I used a code”

• Codes add time, they don’t replace active billing
  
• You must Unsubscribe in order to prevent renewal

❌ “I can’t manage my subscription”

• If purchased through Apple → must use Apple settings

🎯 Recommended Setup (Best Practice)

👉 For most users:

• Use Website subscription OR code
• Avoid mixing with Apple subscriptions

👉 For iOS-only users:

• Apple subscription is fine
• Just understand it’s managed separately

🎯 If You’re Still Confused

Include:

• How you subscribed (Website / Code / Apple)
• Email used
• Device used

👉 Contact support with this info