own up to it

If you have to change the way your product works (because business reasons, let’s say), and you know your users aren’t gonna like it, I’d rather be upfront about it. Level with them and let them know you understand this will negatively impact their lives (aka, this is gonna suck). Give them details, set expectations and say sorry. Not “sorry if” or “sorry for any”—just “sorry, we know this is an inconvenience.”