Apple has updated its U.S. App Store rules to allow apps to link users to their own websites for buying digital goods and subscriptions. This change follows a U.S. court ruling in favor of Epic Games, which ordered Apple not to prohibit apps from redirecting users to external websites for digital purchases.
The update is in compliance with a court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps, as stated by Apple in a blog post. The App Review Guidelines have been revised accordingly.
The original lawsuit, filed by Epic Games in 2020, contested Apple’s control over in-app transactions and the 30% commission it charges. In 2021, Epic Games won an injunction that allowed developers to redirect users to their own websites to avoid the commission.
After its appeal failed, Apple began allowing apps to link to external payment mechanisms but still charged a 27% commission and displayed “scare screens.” The recent ruling requires Apple to remove these screens and has already led to the removal of guidelines around the language used in links.
It remains unclear whether Apple will continue to charge a commission on payments made via external links. The company has stated it will comply with the court’s order while continuing to appeal, expressing strong disagreement with the decision.
Spotify has already submitted an updated version of its U.S. App Store listing, including links to external subscription purchases. Apple has been contacted for confirmation on its commission policy regarding external link payments.
