Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 14
Apple Proposes 15% Fee for External App Purchases After Supreme Court Rebuff
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 14

Apple Proposes 15% Fee for External App Purchases After Supreme Court Rebuff

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 14

Summary

  • Apple told a California federal court it wants to charge 15% on purchases made through external links in iOS apps, with lower rates for some developers.
  • The filing sets 5% for Small Business Program developers, 10% for Video, News and Mini Apps partners, and 10% for subscription renewals.
  • The proposal came after the Supreme Court refused to pause lower-court proceedings, forcing Apple to disclose a replacement for the 27% external-link commission tied to the Epic Games fight.
  • Apple argued the fees help recover its spending on App Store tools and services, and said Google Play charges 20% for standard link-out purchases, 15% in special programs and 10% on renewals.

Insights

With Apple admitting external payment costs are zero, can they still legally force developers to hand over a 15 percent cut?
If external links require heavy technical compliance and still incur fees, is escaping the App Store actually profitable for developers?