Switching Subscriptions

Switching lets customers move between variations of a variable subscription without starting over. For example, a customer on a Monthly plan can upgrade to Annual from their My Account page.

What can be switched

Switching is available on variable subscriptions only. A customer can move between variations of the same product. Simple subscriptions cannot be switched. To move a customer to a different product entirely, cancel the existing subscription and create a new one.

Enabling switching

  1. Go to Subscriptions → Settings → Checkout.
  2. Turn on Subscription switching.
  3. Choose the Switch charge type:
  • Full charge for new plan: charge the full new variation price at switch time.
  • Prorate based on remaining time: credit unused time on the current variation and charge a prorated amount for the new variation.
  • No charge (free switch): apply the switch with no charge.
  1. Save.

Switch flow

When enabled, a customer can switch from their My Account subscription page. The plugin processes the switch at checkout time, according to the configured charge type. Switches take effect immediately; deferred-at-next-renewal switching is not a configurable option.

Admin-initiated switches

Admins can change a variable subscription’s variation from Subscriptions → All Subscriptions. From the subscription detail page, edit the line item’s variation.

What happens under the hood

When a switch is confirmed, Milo Subscriptions:

  • Replaces the old line item with the new variation.
  • Charges (or skips the charge) based on the Switch charge type setting.
  • Updates the subscription’s price, cadence, and next payment date to match the new variation.
  • Records a note on the subscription.

Reporting

Core analytics reports MRR movement at an aggregate level; detailed upgrade / downgrade / cross-grade attribution is not separately computed in the core plugin.

Limitations

  • Switching is only available between variations of the same variable subscription product.
  • Switches require an automatic-renewal payment method; manual-renewal subscriptions cannot be switched through the standard flow.

Next steps

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