Yes, and in a jurisdiction that cares about free market principles, consumers weigh the options and pick the option that works best for them. In the EU, Big Brother declares "a closed system isn't allowed if too many consumers prefer it".
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Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA
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Of course you can - just limit your purchases to purchases from Apple's App Store.
And Android is the best proof for that.
Even though Android has been more open, you can get a similar "closed" experience on Android. Today.
👉 If you like closed ecosystems you can absolutely limit your Android app downloads and purchases to the Google Play Store. And use your Google account for Google Pay, device synchronisation, email, calendar etc.
No one's forcing you to download apps from third-party sources or use another account on your Pixel phone.
And the same will be true for iOS.
The ecosystem is still open. Users can still get tricked into downloading scam apps, alternative app stores, etc. Their guard must be up. That's why Android devices are 80% more likely to have malware on them. Coming soon to an iPhone near you, courtesy of the EU!
Everyone needs to remember the average user isn't a sophisticated technology enthusiast posting on MacRumors. They're like my mother-in-law who asked me if she should be calling the number for "Microsoft" on the full screen popup saying her MacBook has a Windows virus and she needed to call in so they could screenshare and "remove." Those are the users Apple is protecting with its stance, and the EU doesn't care about.
marketshare context is users.
and even if 50-50, that's not a monopoly.
All these comments defending the 3-trillion dollar company are shameful. Apple is just moving from one convoluted fee structure to another. At the end of the day you think this going to make app prices cheaper for you? I don’t think so.
“The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.”
There’s a reason Apple keeps prioritizing so much of its time into services. That’s where it’s making its money at the expense of its customers.
“The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.”
There’s a reason Apple keeps prioritizing so much of its time into services. That’s where it’s making its money at the expense of its customers.
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They are a choice.
And scam apps are available on Apple's App Store all the time.
No, I disagree on that.
It's because of
- device manufacturers installing crap on them in the factory
- piracy of software
- tinkering and modifying
But you can easily avoid 1. by buying from a trustworthy manufacturer and 2. and 3. by choice.
And regarding app downloads, Android has warning screens in place.
People have been aware of risks of apps for decades now.
1: unlikely to be allowed to take a 2% digital goods sales while not taking a 2% on everyone else. As it’s discriminatory on no reason as already flagged previously 🙄
Apple is updating its App Store linking rules and fees in the European Union to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act, Apple said today.
Apps distributed through EU storefronts can now communicate information about non-App Store purchase options and deals for digital goods available through websites, alternative app marketplaces, or other apps. Developers can let customers access alternate purchase options outside the app, within an app through a web view, or through a native app experience.
Developers will be able to design and execute offer promotions in their apps, and can include information about subscription pricing or any other offers available within or outside the app. There can be actionable links that can be tapped, clicked, or scanned, and there are no limitations on URLs.
Apple says that developers who opt to promote offers for digital goods and services will need to agree to new business terms and pay an initial acquisition fee and a store services fee. Apps that also use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement will also need to pay a new Core Technology Commission. In Apple's own words:
By January 1, 2026, Apple plans to move to a single business model in the EU for all developers. Apple will transition from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) to the new Core Technology Commission (CTC) for digital goods and services. For now, there are some instances where developers will pay the CTC, and other developers will pay the CTF until Apple transitions to the unified system.
Apps with external purchase links will pay the CTC. Apps that just reference deals outside of the App Store and do not have actionable links will continue to pay the CTF for now.
Developers who use the External Purchase Link Entitlement and those who use the Alternative Terms Addendum will pay a reduced store services fee under a new two-tier store services system that Apple created. Apple's Store services are split into two tiers:
Tier 1 does not include automatic app updates or automatic downloads across devices. Developers that opt for tier 1 will also not be able to take advantage of ratings and reviews, search suggestions, natural language search, keywords for custom product pages, the Apple Games app, App Store featuring and marketing, app tabs, and app insights like performance metrics. Tier 2 includes all of the current App Store services that Apple provides.
- Store Services Tier 1: This tier provides capabilities needed for app delivery, trust & safety, app management, and engagement; and features a reduced store services fee. This tier is mandatory for apps communicating and promoting offers.
- Store Services Tier 2: This tier is optional, and provides additional capabilities for app delivery and management, engagement, curation & personalization, app insights, and developer marketing.
Apps that use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement will pay the following fees:
Apps that use the Alternative Terms Addendum (no external links) will pay the following fees:
- 5% CTC for both tiers.
- 5% store services fee for tier 1 and 13% for tier 2 (10% for Small Business Program participants and subscriptions after the first year).
- 2% initial acquisition fee, which is waived for Small Business Program participants.
The Alternative Terms Addendum applies to apps that reference deals available outside of the App Store but do not have actionable links, while the StoreKit Link Entitlement with CTC is for apps that include actionable links for purchasing digital goods outside of the in-app purchase system. Eventually, the CTC will replace the CTF for all developers.
- 0.50 euro CTF for both tiers.
- 2% initial acquisition fee for both tiers (0 for Small Business Program participants).
- 5% store services fee for tier 1, and 13 percent store services fee for tier 2 (10 percent for Small Business Program).
Developers using either option will need to report external transactions to Apple with the External Purchase Server API for commission calculations and fee collections. Developers are not able to offer both App Store in-app purchases and alternative payment options within the same app on the same App Store storefront in the EU, according to Apple.
Starting with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, iPhone and iPad users will see a new interface for installing alternative app marketplaces or apps from a developer's website. Later in 2025, Apple plans to provide an API that will let developers initiate the download of alternatively distributed apps they publish from within their app.
Apple's new rules are complicated, so developers who distribute apps in the EU are encouraged to read Apple's new DMA compliance information.
In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple said that the European Commission forced it to make the changes to the App Store. "We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal," reads the statement.
Article Link: Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA
And the 6 months is not going to stand either.
2: the functions still need to be allowed for anyone so separating the service in teers is still no-bueno
Apple didn’t change its mind they ran out of room to lie. After being found in contempt in the U.S., and with an EU fine looming, they threw in just enough crumbs to claim good behavior. But the house is still rotten they just sprayed some perfume near the door
Edit: depending how they calculate the 2% accusation fee it can be coacher.
But the CTC for sideloading will not pass with the other 2% commission unless more details really distinguish them and not double dipping.
They are largely doing nothing that was complained in the previous report that gave them half a billion euros fine and the last year anti competitive fine for antisteering
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...or dollars/Euros of revenue.
Especially for commission based transaction/distribution businesses.
I did my research before buying an iPhone and making IAP in Call of Duty.
What info is there to tell me Call of Duty will be switching to external payments?
You however, didn't do any research before dropping $1k on a phone and then realizing "wait, Apple has control over apps? Well now I can't switch to Android because I didn't do my research".
See where you went wrong?
"on all platforms".
With intrusive auditing rights for Apple. 😂
I did do my research - I just didn't have much (OS/app ecosystem) choice.
Warning screens sound like a DMA violation!
And again, MOST USERS AREN'T SOPHISTICATED LIKE WE ARE. My Mother in Law LITERALLY thought she had a "Windows Virus" on her MacBook. She was going to call "Microsoft" but asked me to look at it not because she thought it was sketchy, but because she didn't want to deal with "being put on hold". Had I not been in the next room over, she very likely would have just called. Those sorts of users probably aren't going to be discouraged by a "warning screen" (I thought the term was scare sheet and were no longer allowed), and are the ones the EU is failing.
That's why I didn't say it was.
But given the mostly non-overlapping nature of user bases (iPhone users don't shop for Android apps and vice versa), Apple had a monopoly on distribution of apps to a sizeable share of all smartphone users.
Maybe a one time fee. not a forever monthly fee for services they do not provide.
There's actually many flavors of Android deployments
and Android solves your complaint with the App Store.
finally, if you still chose iOS even after looking through all the flavors of Android , clearly your dissatisfaction with the App Store is very minor.
Having an app that functions using Apple's intellectual property seems like a service that's worth paying for monthly.
The DMA didn’t force Apple to implement it this way. This is all Apple, and they’ll probably get fined for non-compliance again anyway… when of course you’ll blame the EU for Apple’s continued inability to follow rules, again.
If the App Store and in-app purchases are the best way to reach customers, developers will still use it in a competitive marketplace, and Apple should have nothing to fear in allowing alternatives on a level playing field. This is simply about preserving margins, which doesn’t have a consumer benefit.
PS: Apple has long forced customers to sign up outside of the app for subscription services or purchases that aren’t viable after Apple’s rent seeking behavior. Allowing links to external payment methods actually brings more of those processes “in-app”.
...that all "force" me to use the same store for commercially sold apps.
Or banking apps and the app to control the temperature in my room.
if you don't like the rule, don't offer IAP in the app.
Point taken 👍
I edited that previous post, correcting it to (now) say: "Target isn‘t part of a de facto duopoly for ketchup sales."
No, most of their business is advertising and selling your data.
why should I not be allowed to do what u want with my device because other people are stupid? Some people abuse alcohol but it’s still legal because people are responsible for their own choices.
DMA is forcing apple to implement it in a different way.
It's Apple's platform. When was the last time anyone listing their product on Amazon can tell their customers to not use Amazon to pay for their product.
consumers have one place to check/cancel their subscriptions, receipts, ask for refunds, etc.. huge consumer benefit.
Apple has long allowed services to sell their subscriptions outside the app and let developers take 100% of the revenue while Apple charges only $99/year to distribute a copy of an app billions times over the year, providing many free services, human review for customers to feel safe downloading apps, etc..
Again, the DMA has nothing to do with duopoly. If there were 10 mobile platforms each with 45 million users the DMA would apply to every single one of them. It applies to iPadOS even though it doesn't meet the quantitative threshold written into the law, just because the EU said so. In theory, a platform can have as few as 10,000 (business) users, and the law still applies to them.
The EU bureaucrat class doesn't believe closed ecosystems should exist, and are imposing their worldview on everyone else.