A group of 48 iOS developers based in China files an antitrust complaint against Apple with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), challenging App Store commission rates and related rules. In an open letter, the developers say Apple does not fulfill an earlier promise to offer China the lowest applicable commission, and they argue that Apple uses its market dominance to impose “unfair” and “excessively high” costs on local developers.
The complaint centers on Apple’s App Store fees in China, including a 25% commission on paid apps and in-app purchases, which was reduced from 30% after Apple cut rates in March. Apple also lowers subscription renewal commissions and fees for developers in certain partner programs to 12% from 15% during the same period.
The filing is part of a long-running dispute. Prior complaints and lawsuits in China have targeted App Store removals and fees, including legal actions filed in 2017, 2021, and 2025, with at least one claim rejected by a Shanghai court in 2024.
The developers cite Apple’s fee and distribution changes in other countries, including reductions in Brazil and similar adjustments in Japan, and they ask SAMR to investigate and penalize Apple. They also argue China should allow third-party app stores to reduce effective commissions, drawing parallels to the EU’s approach.
