Apple recently sent out a push notification to select iPhone users promoting a limited-time discount on movie tickets offered by Fandango for Apple’s upcoming film, “F1: The Movie.” This notification, which came through the Wallet app, has sparked significant backlash among users. Many iPhone users expressed their frustration on platforms such as MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and X. Complaints centered around the intrusive nature of receiving what they perceived as advertisement notifications.
One user remarked, “Apple is now just sending me ads to my screen, something I hate with an absolute passion and disable across the board.” The discontent is particularly strong regarding the Wallet app since it serves as a crucial tool for managing personal finances, making the complete disabling of notifications impractical. Moreover, critics argue that Apple appears to be violating its own guidelines, which state that push notifications should not be employed for promotional purposes unless users have explicitly consented to receive them. This guideline emphasizes that users should have a clear method of opting out of such messages, which many believe was overlooked in this instance. While Apple has been actively promoting “F1: The Movie,” scheduled for release in theaters on June 25 in Europe and June 27 in the U.S. and Canada, the response from users suggests that the company may have crossed a line.
On a more positive note, the iOS 26 beta introduces an “Offers & Promotions” toggle in the Wallet app, allowing users to opt in or out. However, it is concerning that push notifications were sent to users on the older iOS 18 without their explicit consent, leading to disappointment among some iPhone users regarding Apple’s approach.
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