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Will Spotify’s Bold Move After Apple’s Policy Shift Disrupt the App Economy?
Apple’s recent update to its App Store guidelines marks a significant and positive turning point for developers and consumers in the United States. Prompted by a decisive court ruling, Apple now allows apps to include external payment links, enabling users to purchase digital goods and subscriptions directly on developers’ websites-bypassing Apple’s longstanding 30% commission.
Key Changes to Apple’s App Store Payment Policy
- External Payment Links Permitted: U.S. apps can now display clearly labeled buttons or links that direct users to external websites for purchases.
- Zero Apple Commission: Apple is prohibited from charging any fee or commission on transactions completed outside the app, a major departure from its prior 27–30% cut.
- No More “Scare Screens”: Apple can no longer require warning messages or pop-ups that discourage users from using external payment methods.
- One-Link Rule: Developers may include a single external checkout link per app, which must be clearly identified.
- No Reporting Requirements: Apple cannot demand that developers report external purchases or restrict how they promote alternative payment options within their apps.
- US-Only (For Now): These changes currently apply only to the U.S. App Store; international developers must still comply with previous rules.
Immediate Industry Impact
Spotify Leads the Charge: Within hours of the ruling, Spotify submitted and received approval for an updated app that lets U.S. users view pricing and access external payment links directly from the app. This empowers consumers with more transparency, lower prices, and greater control over their subscriptions.
Other Innovators Follow: Platforms like Patreon and Stripe are quickly adapting, offering guides and updates to help developers transition to external payment flows.
Epic Games Returns: Epic Games, a central figure in the legal battle, announced plans to relaunch Fortnite on iOS and introduce direct sales through its own webshops, further bypassing Apple’s fees.
Benefits for Developers and Consumers
Developers
- Keep 100% of revenue from external transactions up to $1 million per app per year (in Epic’s case).
- Freedom to promote and design external payment options without Apple’s interference.
- Ability to offer lower prices by passing savings directly to users.
Consumers
- Access to transparent pricing and promotional offers within apps.
- More payment choices and potentially lower subscription costs.
- Enhanced competition and innovation among app providers.
Apple’s Response and What’s Next
Apple has publicly stated its strong disagreement with the court’s decision but is complying while pursuing an appeal. The company’s reluctance signals that further legal and policy shifts may be ahead. For now, the U.S. market is experiencing a more open and competitive app ecosystem, with developers like Spotify setting a precedent for others to follow.
This groundbreaking policy shift is a victory for developers and consumers, dismantling the “Apple tax” for U.S. users and ushering in a new era of transparency, competition, and user choice. As Spotify and others quickly adapt, the broader industry will be watching to see if-and when-these freedoms expand beyond the U.S.