Apple overhauls EU App Store fees to comply with the Digital Markets Act

Apple’s long-running antitrust battle with the European Union over the sale of iPhone apps appears to finally be over. The EU has said that it welcomes the new app commission rates the company is offering within the bloc. The revised terms will see developers pay a commission or fee ranging from 5% to 26%, depending on their turnover and chosen sale channels …

Apple yesterday updated its App Store fees in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act and to put an end to its ongoing conflict with the European Commission. Apple cut the Core Technology Fee and simplified its pricing structure, so apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or through the web will pay less than before. When announcing the changes, Apple said it worked in "close collaboration" with the EC, and that the updates would "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution." The European Commission has since confirmed that it approves of Apple's changes to its App Store policies, giving a statement to the Irish Independent: The Commission welcomes Apple's changes to their business terms, which follow a close dialogue between the Commission and Apple after the Commission issued a non-compliance decision related to Apple's steering terms as well as preliminary findings related to alternative app distribution, both in April 2025. Following today's announcement, the Commission will monitor Apple's effective implementation of the new terms. Under the DMA, users in the EU have a right to full and effective choice of alternative app distribution channels. The EC says it will continue to monitor how Apple implements the new terms, which will go into effect on October 1. While the EC approved Apple's planned changes, Apple legal opponent Epic Games was not happy with the new fee structure, denouncing the "new junk fees." ‌Epic Games‌ said Apple's new terms do not comply with the Digital Markets Act and claimed if the EC accepts the terms, the DMA "will become meaningless." Apple announced new junk fees in the EU that do nothing to open up the mobile app ecosystem to competition, as required by Digital Market Act. Apple will now charge: • 20% fee on alternative in-app payment options • 15% fee on links to make purchases outside apps • 5% Core Technology Commission on payments made in apps downloaded from alternative stores or the web The law makes it clear that Apple must allow developers to offer link outs to the web for purchases "free of charge" and has to allow "effective use" of competing stores. Apple's terms deliberately violate the Digital Markets Act. If the Commission accepts the terms and drops their ongoing enforcement actions, the law will become meaningless and consumers and developers will not experience the benefits it was designed to provide. Under the new terms, ‌Epic Games‌ will need to pay a five percent Core Technology Commission on digital purchases made through its ‌Epic Games‌ Store on the iPhone and iPad in the EU. For an app distributed through the ‌App Store‌ with a link to purchase options, Epic would need to pay 15 percent. Apple is implementing lower rates for Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program participants, plus it waives the Core Technology Commission for small marketplaces. ‌Epic Games‌ does not qualify for reduced fees.Tags: App Store, Epic Games, Epic Games vs. Apple, European Commission, European UnionThis article, "EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees'" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

There has been a lot of back and forth, but Apple and the European Commission have finally settled on App Store rules that both sides agree on. Apple is now allowing apps to accept payments through third-party services and it has restructured the App Store fees. Developers in the EU can sign the new terms today and the changes will go into effect on October 1. Devs can choose to use the Apple In-App Purchase app, alternative payment processing or linking out to a website where the user can complete their purchase. Apps can also use a combination of these three options. Devs have to choose...

Apple has announced changes to its App Store business terms in the European Union, following a prolonged dispute tied to the bloc's Digital Markets Act. The new terms will take effect from October 1 and will bring all developers distributing apps in the EU under a single set of rules.New commission structure for EU developersUnder the revised terms, Apple will charge a standard commission of 26 percent for apps on the App Store that use Apple's In-App Purchase system, though many developers, including those in Apple's Small Business Program and certain other programmes, will pay a reduced rate of 15 percent.'Apple Removed Telegram From The App Store Before Contacting Us': CEO Pavel Durov Claims iPhone Maker OverreactedDevelopers using alternative payment systems will be charged a 20 percent commission, reduced to 10 percent for those covered under Apple's eligible programmes. For App Store apps that direct users outside the app to complete a purchase, Apple will charge a 15 percent commission, with a reduced 10 percent rate for eligible developers.For apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or the web, Apple will apply a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions, replacing the earlier Core Technology Fee. Apple is also removing its initial acquisition fee and store services fee as part of the changes.Apple Briefly Pulls Telegram From App Store Over Child Sexual Abuse MaterialEpic Games calls new charges 'junk fees'Epic Games has criticised Apple's revised terms, saying in a post on X that the new charges are 'junk fees' that 'do nothing to open up the mobile app ecosystem to competition'.The company pointed to Apple's 20 percent commission on alternative payment systems, its 15 percent fee on links to external purchases, and the 5 percent Core Technology Commission as evidence that Apple continues to limit competition.Epic argued that the EU's Digital Markets Act requires Apple to let developers link to the web for purchases "free of charge," and that the law also obliges Apple to allow "effective use" of competing app stores."Apple's terms deliberately violate the Digital Markets Act. If the Commission accepts the terms and drops their ongoing enforcement actions, the law will become meaningless and consumers and developers will not experience the benefits it was designed to provide," Epic Games said.The changes follow a long-running dispute between Apple and regulators over compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which is designed to open up dominant digital platforms to greater competition. Apple's revised terms are aimed at addressing regulatory concerns while restructuring how it charges developers across the App Store and alternative distribution channels in the EU.

The move followed a long battle with regulators over the company’s tight controls of its App Store.

Apple's changes to its terms and fees for developers distributing in the European Union is a premonition of reduced commissions for developers that could soon come to the United States.Apple's attempts to comply with EU rules has led to new app transaction fees - Image Credit: AppleApple is waging two wars over the App Store, on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, it's dealing with the European Commission and the European Union demanding changes to how the App Store earns income, especially for transactions outside the App Store.There has already been massive change, in the form of the Digital Markets Act, forcing Apple to allow alternative app stores in the E.U. The fees Apple can extract from transactions, however, are still up for debate. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple is overhauling its EU App Store fees to settle a long dispute with the European Commission. The company announced the changes on Tuesday, after what it called close collaboration with the Commission. Developers can sign the new terms today, and they take effect on 1 October. The headline change is the end of the […] This story continues at The Next Web

The iPhone maker said the changes "resolve" disagreements with regulators stemming from the implementation of Europe's Digital Markets Act.

Apple is simplifying its EU App Store fees, replacing its per-install fee with a 5% commission for apps distributed outside the App Store and making it easier for developers to operate alternative app marketplaces.

Apple today announced changes to its App Store policies and fees in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple says the changes were made after "close collaboration" with the European Commission, and the updates simplify the fee structure and "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution." The initial acquisition fee and store services fee are being removed for apps distributed outside of the ‌App Store‌, and Apple will now charge a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital purchases that replaces the prior per-install Core Technology Fee. Commission rates are changing for ‌App Store‌ apps, alternative payments, and apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or the web. App Store Apps With In-App Purchase - Apple will charge a 26% fee for apps distributed through the ‌App Store‌ that use in-app purchase. The fee will be 15% for Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and Video Partner Program participants. It will also be 15% for auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year. App Store Apps Using Alternative Payments - Apps in the ‌App Store‌ that use in-app alternative payment processing will pay 20%. Developers in Apple's programs will pay 10%. Apps That Link Out of the App for Purchases - Apps that link to a website purchase option will pay 15%. Developers in Apple's programs will pay 10%. Alternative App Marketplace Apps - Apple will charge a 5% Core Technology Commission. Apps Distributed via the Web - Apple will charge a 5% Core Technology Commission. Developers can offer in-app purchase options alongside alternative payment options in the EU, which is something Apple did not allow before. Apple says there will be presentation requirements so users have a consistent, transparent experience. Developers distributing apps in the EU must select their payment options and maintain those options for 12 months before making changes to "provide consistency and clarity for users." Apple will still use a Notarization process for apps downloadable through the web and through alternative app marketplaces. Apps in the Kids category or being used by children under 13 will not include links to websites to complete transactions. All apps that use alternative payment processing or link to a website for transactions have to include a parental gate if the user is under 18. Apple is relaxing the rules for operating an alternative app marketplace. Apple used to require developers to have a one million euro standby letter of credit from an A-rated financial institution, but the new rules are as follows: Meet a moderate financial-stability bar as scored by Dun & Bradstreet. Are publicly traded or owned by a publicly traded company. Have received venture funding from an established investment firm. Have completed a financial audit by a licensed accountant. Are a government entity, educational institution, or nonprofit. Developers can sign the new terms starting today, and the changes go into effect on October 1.Tags: App Store, European Commission, European UnionThis article, "Apple Overhauls EU App Store Fees to Settle Digital Markets Act Dispute" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple is overhauling its EU App Store fees to settle its Digital Markets Act dispute, simplifying the fee structure and "[resolving] Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution." Developers can sign the new terms starting today, and the changes go into effect on October 1. MacRumors reports: The initial acquisition fee and store services fee are being removed for apps distributed outside of the App Store, and Apple will now charge a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital purchases that replaces the prior per-install Core Technology Fee. Commission rates are changing for App Store apps, alternative payments, and apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or the web. Developers can offer in-app purchase options alongside alternative payment options in the EU, which is something Apple did not allow before. Apple says there will be presentation requirements so users have a consistent, transparent experience. Developers distributing apps in the EU must select their payment options and maintain those options for 12 months before making changes to "provide consistency and clarity for users." Apple will still use a Notarization process for apps downloadable through the web and through alternative app marketplaces. Apps in the Kids category or being used by children under 13 will not include links to websites to complete transactions. All apps that use alternative payment processing or link to a website for transactions have to include a parental gate if the user is under 18. Apple is relaxing the rules for operating an alternative app marketplace. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

After announcing changes to App Tracking Transparency in Europe, Apple has now unveiled a simplified App Store commission structure for developers in the region. Here are the details.