Apple changes US App Store rules to let apps link to external payment systems

Apple has modified its App Retailer guidelines within the U.S. to let apps hyperlink customers to their very own web sites to allow them to purchase subscriptions or different digital items.

This transformation comes after a U.S. courtroom dominated in favor of Epic Video games in a case towards the iPhone maker, ordering the latter to not prohibit apps from together with options that would redirect customers to their very own web sites for making digital purchases.

“The App Assessment Pointers have been up to date for compliance with a United States courtroom resolution concerning buttons, exterior hyperlinks, and different calls to motion in apps,” Apple mentioned in a weblog submit.

The lawsuit that Epic Video games introduced in 2020 involved the quantity of management Apple had over transactions achieved in apps hosted on its App Retailer. In 2021, the sport studio received an injunction that ordered Apple to present builders extra choices to redirect customers to their very own web sites so they may keep away from paying the tech large a 30% reduce.

After its attraction towards the injunction failed, Apple final yr began permitting different apps to hyperlink out and use non-Apple cost mechanisms, however it nonetheless took a 27% fee, and in addition added what critics known as “scare screens.”

This week’s ruling means Apple should cease exhibiting these “scare screens,” and the corporate has already eliminated pointers round how these screens and hyperlinks ought to include sure language.

Now we have requested Apple to substantiate if it will cease charging apps a fee on funds made through exterior hyperlinks, and we’ll replace the story if we hear again.

As for Apple, it’s not proud of the ruling. “We strongly disagree with the choice. We are going to adjust to the courtroom’s order and we’ll attraction,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement.

Spotify, which has additionally been combating with Apple over the identical situation in numerous geographies, has already submitted a model of its app to the U.S. App Retailer with hyperlinks to let customers purchase its subscription externally.