Apple has opened up iTunes promo codes to iTunes customers with accounts outside the U.S. Previously, promo codes were available for redemption only by users with U.S. accounts, and Apple announced the change on the iTunes Connect site for developers Wednesday.
According to Apple, “Your promo code distribution is no longer limited to U.S. customers. Promo codes in iTunes Connect can now be redeemed by all App Store customers worldwide. Your Team Agent can request 50 codes per version of your app in iTunes Connect and your customers can redeem these codes in any App Store. To learn more about requesting promo codes in iTunes Connect, see the iTunes Connect Developer Guide [link is to PDF].”
This will be handy for developers trying to reach markets outside the U.S., as it will make it easier for them to give free copies of their iOS apps to members of the press, or for use as giveaways, or as simple gifts, to people outside the U.S.
In a related bit of news, MacStories noted that the Mac App Store (which has not launched yet) does not offer developers the ability to generate promo codes for Mac apps. We should note, however, that when it comes to Mac apps, developers can just give a copy of the software to anyone they want — iOS devices requires that apps be installed through iTunes, whereas Macs do not.
While Apple is specifying to Mac developers that they can not generate promo codes, the company isn’t saying whether or not this feature will eventually come to the Mac App Store like it eventually did to the original App Store for iPhone.
iTunes Promo Code Redemption