Apple has changed some of its conditions for European app developers
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act has forced Apple to make a series of concessionssuch as alternative app stores or releasing NFC to accept other payment methods. But Apple has announced new changes in another important aspect: Developers can now link to external locations from the apps.
The announced changes give developers more freedom in external links, as these may direct users to purchasing and distribution options other than those of Apple or the App StoreThese new rules remove many of the restrictions Apple previously imposed.
European developers now have more options
European Union developers operating under the new App Store commercial terms, or the previous App Store purchasing terms, can now update their apps to include links to communicate and promote shopping offers available through their websites, alternative app stores or other applications.
External links and offer pages may include explanations and instructions on how customers can subscribe to offers outside of the App Store app, which wasn’t possible before. In addition, Apple now allows these links to be opened within the app itself, which previously had to be closed and Safari or the default browser you have configured on your iPhone would open.
That is, despite having downloaded the app from the App Store, a developer can now Please note that if you download the same app from another store, the subscription will be cheaper.Or that if you subscribe from their website you get a special offer of 50%, for example.
A new tariff structure
Taking these changes into account, Apple has also updated its tariff policy. The company will continue to charge developers a commission even if they use alternative payment methods. This commission is lower than the one on the App Store, but it still exists.
- Reduced commission: iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced fee of 10% (for the vast majority of developers and for subscriptions after their first year) or 17% on digital goods and services transactions, regardless of the payment processing system selected.
- Initial acquisition fee: iOS apps that offer a link to pay outside of the App Store will be assessed a 5% fee on sales of digital goods and services. This applies for the first 12 months after the initial download of the app.
- Store service fee: In addition to the initial acquisition fee, there is another 10% commission on sales for the first 12 months (reduced to 5% for App Store Small Business Program members and for subscriptions after one year).
Apple offers a justification for these two fees. The Initial Acquisition Fee wants Highlighting the power of the App Store to connect with usersis basically a fee for offering your app in the Apple store. On the other hand, the Store Services Fee reflects the costs services and capabilities that Apple provides to developerssuch as app distribution and management, App Store trust and safety, anti-fraud checks, recommendations, ratings and reviews, and other tools.
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