iPhone users are unhappy about receiving push notifications offering a $10 discount on ticket prices at Fandango if they purchase two or more for the film, which opens Friday, June 27.
The promo, which was sent out by Apple’s Wallet application, read:
Across social media, iPhone users expressed their displeasure about receiving ads sent by native apps.
Apple’s official developer guidelines prohibit the use of push notifications for promotions or marketing unless users explicitly opt in and have a straightforward way to opt out.
The Wallet notification arrived unsolicited on devices running iOS 18 and later, with no clear user consent.
The heavy promotion of F1 the Movie, which leverages Apple’s ecosystem, is informed by the knowledge that its movie unit, Apple Original Films, co-produced the movie and is seeking to generate as much interest in it as possible.
Apple even created a custom camera using iPhone parts to film parts of the movie.
iPhone users, as part of the promotion, also had the opportunity to watch a haptic version of the trailer with vibration effects. This trailer was only available via the Apple TV app.
The upcoming release of Apple’s latest software update, iOS 26, later this summer will provide a remedy for disgruntled users, as it will include the option to turn off this type of promotional notification.
