How to Configure Subscription Groups

Introduction #

Subscription Groups allow you to organize related subscription products like tiered membership plans or varying billing cycles so users can only hold one active subscription per group.

This guide shows you how to create, sync, and assign subscription groups in the Learndash App plugin to deliver a consistent upgrade/downgrade experience across both iOS and Android.

Why Use Subscription Groups? #

• Tiered Plans: Offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold memberships without overlap.
  
• Duration Options: Sell monthly, quarterly, or yearly access with a clear structure.
  
• Auto-Switching: Automatically cancel the old subscription when users purchase a new one in the same group.
  

Understand Requirements #

• iOS (App Store Connect): Apple requires all auto-renewable subscriptions to be assigned to a Subscription Group. Other product types cannot be grouped.
  
• Android (Google Play): Google doesn’t support subscription groups natively. Learndash App provides group logic so Android users get the same seamless experience.
  

To ensure consistency, you’ll need to mirror your iOS subscription groups in WordPress and manually assign both iOS and Android products.

Create Subscription Groups in App Store Connect #

1. Log into your App Store Connect account.
   
2. Go to My Apps, then select your app.
   
3. Under In-App Purchases, click Subscription Groups.
   
4. Make a note of each group name (e.g., “Membership Tiers”, “Monthly Plans”).
   

Add Subscription Groups in the Learndash App Plugin #

1. In your WordPress Dashboard, go to Learndash App > In-App Purchases.
   
2. Click the Subscription Groups tab.
   
3. For each group name from App Store Connect:
   
   • Click Add New Subscription Group.
     
   • Paste the name exactly as it appears.
     
   • Click Save.
     

Assign Products to Subscription Groups #

1. In Learndash App > In-App Purchases, switch to the Products tab.
   
2. Click Add New or Edit next to a subscription product.
   
3. Ensure:
   
   • Product Type is set to Auto-Renewable Subscription (iOS) and Subscription (Android).
     
   • Under Subscription Group, select the correct group name.
     
4. Click Update Product.
   

Troubleshooting and FAQs #

Q: Why are my Android subscriptions not grouped?
A: Android doesn’t support subscription groups natively. Use the plugin to mirror Apple’s groups and assign them manually.

Q: A user has two subscriptions active at once. What’s wrong?
A: Check if both products are assigned to the same Subscription Group. If not, auto-cancel logic won’t trigger.

Q: I accidentally added a one-time product to a group. Will that break anything?
A: Yes. Only subscription-type products can belong to Subscription Groups. Edit the product and remove it from the group.