Apple on Thursday announced A series of updates to its developers -policies to comply with the EU digital markets law (DMA). The news that was waiting for, arrived in time to meet the deadline of June 26, after which the iPhone manufacturer would risk new fines. The changes involve both as developers can communicate with their customers and the Apple fees.
EU -regulators had earlier fined an apple 500 million € For non-compliance with the DMA and threatening to impose further penalties, forcing Apple’s hand.
As for Apple’s new “anti-steps” rules, which dictate customer communications, EU developers will now be able to link to alternative ways to pay for subscriptions and other in-app purchases outside the App Store through any channel. This means that they can share this link on a website, an alternative app market, within another app, and more. These links are also accessible outside the app or within the app via a website view or native experience, Apple said, and should not use warning screens or the text that Apple has previously required.
In addition, instead of dropping its core technology fee (CTF), Apple introduced a more complex fee structure.
There is now an initial acquisition fee (2%) and a store -service fee. This -last is either 13% or 5%, depending on the level the developer chooses. (Members of a small business program pay 10%). Level 1 developers have access to a more limited set of App Store services, including application reviews, manual updates and anti -fraud measures. Level 2 provides access to Marketing tools, automatic updates, treatment and personality functions, applications and more programs.
Subsequently, for programs that want to link to alternative payment methods by adding the StoreKit External Purchase (EU), there is a core technology commission (CTC). This will ultimately replace the core technology fee (CTF).
Before today, developers paid the core technology fee of € 0.50 for each application installed after the app peaked 1 million downloads. This will continue for developers in terms of alternative EU business terms.
For developers in terms of standard terms in the EU, the CTC – a 5% commission – instead valid. Developers who currently pay the old CTF will move to the new rules before January 1, 2026.
“The CTC reflects the value that Apple provides developers with ongoing investments in the tools, technologies and services that enable them to build and share innovative programs with users,” Apple said in a statement.
Tim Sweeney, Director General of Epic Games, whose company sued Apple and won the right to use alternative payments without a commission in the United States, reacted to the news about X, Calling it a more malicious fulfillment of Apple.
“The new digital marketing law of Apple action malicious executive scheme is openly illegal in Europe and the United States and makes a mockery of fair competition in digital markets. Applications with competitive payments not only tax, but commercially cripple in the App Store,” he said.
