Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA

Apple is updating its App Store linking rules and fees in the European Union to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act, Apple said today. Apps distributed through EU storefronts can now communicate information about non-App Store purchase options and deals for digital goods available through websites, alternative app marketplaces, or other apps. Developers can let customers access alternate purchase options outside the app, within an app through a web view, or through a native app experience. Developers will be able to design and execute offer promotions in their apps, and can include information about subscription pricing or any other offers available within or outside the app. There can be actionable links that can be tapped, clicked, or scanned, and there are no limitations on URLs. Apple says that developers who opt to promote offers for digital goods and services will need to agree to new business terms and pay an initial acquisition fee and a store services fee. Apps that use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement will also need to pay a Core Technology Commission. In Apple's own words: App Store apps that communicate and promote offers for digital goods or services will be subject to new business terms for those transactions - an initial acquisition fee, store services fee, and for apps on the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the Core Technology Commission (CTC). The CTC reflects the value Apple provides developers through ongoing investments in the tools, technologies, and services that enable them to build and share innovative apps with users. Apple says that by January 1, 2026, it plans to move to a single business model in the EU for all developers. Apple will transition from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) to the new Core Technology Commission (CTC) for digital goods and services. Developers who opt to use the External Purchase Link Entitlement will pay a reduced store services fee. Apple has split its store services into two tiers. Tier one is mandatory for apps that communicate offers available outside of the ‌App Store‌, and tier two is optional. Tier two provides tools for developer marketing, app delivery and management, and app insights. Store Services Tier 1: This tier provides capabilities needed for app delivery, trust & safety, app management, and engagement; and features a reduced store services fee. This tier is mandatory for apps communicating and promoting offers. Store Services Tier 2: This tier is optional, and provides additional capabilities for app delivery and management, engagement, curation & personalization, app insights, and developer marketing. The CTC is five percent for both tiers, but the store services fee varies. For Tier 1, the store services fee is five percent, and for tier 2, it is 13 percent (10 percent for ‌App Store‌ Small Business Program participants and subscriptions after their first year). There is a two percent initial acquisition fee for both tiers, but it is 0 for Small Business Program participants. There are separate fees for apps that use the Alternative Terms Addendum but not the External Purchase Link Entitlement. Apple is not allowing developers to offer ‌App Store‌ in-app purchase options and alternative payment options in apps on the same ‌App Store‌ storefront. App developers will need to use the External Purchase Server API to report transactions to Apple for commission and fee calculations and collections. Starting with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, iPhone and iPad users will see a new interface for installing alternative app marketplaces or apps from a developer's website. Later in 2025, Apple plans to provide an API that will let developers initiate the download of alternatively distributed apps they publish from within their app. Apple's new rules are confusing, so developers who distribute apps in the EU are encouraged to read Apple's new DMA compliance information.Tags: App Store, European UnionThis article, "Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Jun 26, 2025 - 20:40

Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA

Apple is updating its App Store linking rules and fees in the European Union to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act, Apple said today.

Apps distributed through EU storefronts can now communicate information about non-App Store purchase options and deals for digital goods available through websites, alternative app marketplaces, or other apps. Developers can let customers access alternate purchase options outside the app, within an app through a web view, or through a native app experience.

Developers will be able to design and execute offer promotions in their apps, and can include information about subscription pricing or any other offers available within or outside the app. There can be actionable links that can be tapped, clicked, or scanned, and there are no limitations on URLs.

Apple says that developers who opt to promote offers for digital goods and services will need to agree to new business terms and pay an initial acquisition fee and a store services fee. Apps that use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement will also need to pay a Core Technology Commission. In Apple's own words:

App Store apps that communicate and promote offers for digital goods or services will be subject to new business terms for those transactions - an initial acquisition fee, store services fee, and for apps on the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the Core Technology Commission (CTC). The CTC reflects the value Apple provides developers through ongoing investments in the tools, technologies, and services that enable them to build and share innovative apps with users.

Apple says that by January 1, 2026, it plans to move to a single business model in the EU for all developers. Apple will transition from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) to the new Core Technology Commission (CTC) for digital goods and services.

Developers who opt to use the External Purchase Link Entitlement will pay a reduced store services fee. Apple has split its store services into two tiers. Tier one is mandatory for apps that communicate offers available outside of the ‌App Store‌, and tier two is optional. Tier two provides tools for developer marketing, app delivery and management, and app insights.

Store Services Tier 1: This tier provides capabilities needed for app delivery, trust & safety, app management, and engagement; and features a reduced store services fee. This tier is mandatory for apps communicating and promoting offers.

Store Services Tier 2: This tier is optional, and provides additional capabilities for app delivery and management, engagement, curation & personalization, app insights, and developer marketing.

The CTC is five percent for both tiers, but the store services fee varies. For Tier 1, the store services fee is five percent, and for tier 2, it is 13 percent (10 percent for ‌App Store‌ Small Business Program participants and subscriptions after their first year). There is a two percent initial acquisition fee for both tiers, but it is 0 for Small Business Program participants.

There are separate fees for apps that use the Alternative Terms Addendum but not the External Purchase Link Entitlement. Apple is not allowing developers to offer ‌App Store‌ in-app purchase options and alternative payment options in apps on the same ‌App Store‌ storefront.

App developers will need to use the External Purchase Server API to report transactions to Apple for commission and fee calculations and collections.

Starting with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, iPhone and iPad users will see a new interface for installing alternative app marketplaces or apps from a developer's website. Later in 2025, Apple plans to provide an API that will let developers initiate the download of alternatively distributed apps they publish from within their app.

Apple's new rules are confusing, so developers who distribute apps in the EU are encouraged to read Apple's new DMA compliance information.

Tags: App Store, European Union

This article, "Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums