Tencent Says Talks With Apple on WeChat Game Fees Are Advancing
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Tencent Holdings Ltd. is making “constructive” progress in talks with Apple Inc. over how to share revenue from mini-games on its WeChat app, a development that could reshape China’s mobile gaming landscape.
“We have been discussing with Apple how to build a more active mini-game ecosystem, and we are constructive about the progress so far,” Tencent President Martin Lau said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call Thursday. “There will be a formal announcement in the future.”
Market rumors last August suggested Apple was pressuring Tencent to close loopholes that allowed users to make payments outside its system. At the time, Tencent said it was negotiating with Apple over fee arrangements for mini-games on iOS.
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- Tencent and Apple are making progress in revenue-sharing talks for WeChat mini-games, which could impact China’s mobile gaming sector.
- Tencent’s Q3 2023 revenue rose 15% to 192.9 billion yuan ($27.1 billion), with advertising up 21%, aided by AI advancements.
- Tencent is developing AI agents for WeChat amid global AI chip shortages, prioritizing internal needs in its cloud business.
- Tencent Holdings Ltd.
- Tencent Holdings Ltd. is making "constructive" progress in discussions with Apple Inc. regarding revenue sharing from WeChat's mini-games. This could impact China's mobile gaming landscape. Tencent aims to build a more active mini-game ecosystem, potentially resolving a dispute over Apple's 30% commission. The company's third-quarter revenue increased by 15% to 192.9 billion yuan ($27.1 billion), partly due to AI advancements. Tencent is also developing AI agents for WeChat and addressing AI chip shortages.
- Apple Inc.
- Apple Inc. is in discussions with Tencent Holdings Ltd. regarding revenue sharing from mini-games on Tencent's WeChat app. There's a "constructive" sentiment about the progress of these talks. This could resolve the long-standing dispute over Apple's 30% commission on in-app purchases, known as the "Apple tax." An agreement would impact China's mini-game sector and reshape dynamics between Apple and Chinese platform operators.
- ByteDance Ltd.
- ByteDance Ltd. operates the platform Douyin, which hosts mini-games. The company is considered a rival to Tencent in China's AI race, though Tencent's president believes no single company is exclusively leading the pack.
- Third-quarter 2025：
- Tencent reported a 15% year-over-year increase in third-quarter revenue to 192.9 billion yuan, driven in part by a 21% growth in advertising.
- August 2025：
- Market rumors emerged that Apple was pressuring Tencent to address payment loopholes for WeChat mini-games; Tencent confirmed ongoing negotiations with Apple regarding fee arrangements.
- November 14, 2025：
- Tencent President Martin Lau stated during the third-quarter earnings call that Tencent is making constructive progress in ongoing revenue-sharing talks with Apple over WeChat mini-games.
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