Oliver Haslam·

iOS 13.5.5 Code Suggests Apple Is Developing A Services Bundle

The prospect of Apple bundling multiple services into a single monthly subscription isn’t a new one, but it’s one that we thought might have been put to bed. It seems not, after 9to5Mac spotted references to a services bundle in iOS 13.5.5 code.

Apple currently offers multiple services that can all be bought individually.

They include things like Apple Arcade at $4.99 per month. Apple Music starting at $9.99 per month, and Apple TV+ at $9.99 per month. Add iCloud storage options to the mix and there’s clearly an opportunity to bundle everything together. According to code found in the latest iOS 13.5.5 beta, Apple agrees.

iOS 13.5.5 internal files include references to a “bundle offer” and “bundle subscription” that didn’t exist in previous iOS versions. These codes are related to the management system of Apple’s own services subscriptions like Apple News+, so we believe the company still has plans to offer a discount combo with its services.

In related news, Apple News+ is still a thing that exists.

In order to add everything to a bundle it’s likely Apple would need to sign new agreements with news and music companies and that could be a sticking point. Getting them on board to the point of adding their content to Apple News+ and Apple Music respectively was already difficult. Getting them to agree to have their content appear in a bundle at a reduced cost will be even more so.

Apple is set to hold its WWDC event later this month and it’s doubtful we’ll hear anything about a bundle then. But maybe later this year, say, during an iPhone event? Maybe.

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