Apple Revises App Store Rules To Let Developers Link To Outside Payment Methods

Apple has announced changes to its U.S. App Store, allowing developers to link to alternative payment methods, 'provided that the app also offer purchases through Apple's own In-App Purchase system,' reports 9to5Mac. The change comes in light of the Supreme Court declining to hear Apple's appeal in its legal battle with Epic Games. From the report: The guideline says that developers can apply for an entitlement that allows them to include buttons or links directing users to out-of-app purchasing mechanisms: 'Developers may apply for an entitlement to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase such items. Learn more about the entitlement. In accordance with the entitlement agreement, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the fact that such items may be available for a comparatively lower price. The entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the United States storefront. In all other storefronts, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.'

According to Apple, the link to an alternative payment platform can only be displayed on 'one app page the end user navigates to (not an interstitial, modal, or pop-up), in a single, dedicated location on such page, and may not persist beyond that page.' Apple has provided templates that developers can use for communicating with customers about alternative in-app payment systems. Apple has also confirmed that it will charge a commission on purchases made through alternative payment platforms. This commission will be 12% for developers who are a member of the App Store Small Business Program and 27% for other apps. The commission will apply to 'purchases made within seven days after a user taps on an External Purchase Link and continues from the system disclosure sheet to an external website.' Apple says developers will be required to provide accounting of qualifying out-of-app purchases and remit the appropriate commissions. However, Apple also says that collecting this commission will be 'exceedingly difficult and, in many cases, impossible.'

The other anti-steering change that Apple is required to make is to allow developers to communicate with customers outside of their apps about alternative purchasing options, such as via email. Apple made this change in 2021 as part of its settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought on by small developers.

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