Due to pressure from Chinese regulators Apple has reduced its commission on purchases in its App Store to 25% from 30% in the country. For reference, China is Apple’s third-largest market.
In a statement, Apple also announced the commission for in-app purchases under its App Store small business and mini apps partner programmes will drop from 15% to 12% cent.
The changes go into effect on 15 March 2026 and apply to apps for iOS and iPadOS.
Apple added it is committed to offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that “are no higher than overall rates in other markets”.
In early 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation started an investigation of Apple’s business practices, including the 30 per cent fee on in-app purchases and for app developers.
A deal to share revenue from Tencent’s Mini Games running on iOS through in-app transactions ran into headwinds last year due to Apple’s commission rates.
Apple has faced pressure in other markets over fees, closed distribution and payment systems.
In Japan last December, the iPhone maker allowed developers to process payments outside of its own in-app purchasing system to comply with new regulations designed to increase competition.
In the U.S. it also was forced to allow apps to direct customers to third-party payment systems, bypassing its own.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Apple
