TECH

Apple to Cut App Store Commissions in China Amid Scrutiny

Published: Mar. 13, 2026 5:09 p.m. GMT+8

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Beginning Sunday, the standard commission for in-app purchases and paid apps will drop to 25% from the current 30%, Apple announced in an update to its developer rules on Friday. Photo: VCG

Apple Inc. will lower its App Store commissions on the Chinese mainland, a move that comes after similar cuts in the U.S., Europe and Japan amid mounting global antitrust pressure.

Beginning Sunday, the standard commission for in-app purchases and paid apps will drop to 25% from the current 30%, the company announced in an update to its developer rules on Friday. The fee for eligible small businesses and auto-renewing subscriptions held for over a year will be reduced to 12% from 15%.

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Apple will lower its App Store commission in China from 30% to 25%, with further drops for small businesses and long-term subscriptions.
The move follows regulatory scrutiny and lawsuits, saving developers an estimated 8.3 billion yuan annually but keeping restrictions on third-party payments.
Apple’s changes come amid global regulatory pressure, with lower commissions and more openness in regions like the EU and US compared to China.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Apple Inc.: Apple Inc. is reducing its App Store commissions in mainland China due to global antitrust pressure and communications with Chinese regulators. Standard commissions for in-app purchases will drop from 30% to 25%, and for eligible small businesses, from 15% to 12%. This move, while saving Chinese developers billions, faces criticism for not fully dismantling Apple's market dominance, as restrictions on third-party payment systems remain.

Alphabet Inc.: Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company) has also made changes to its Android system, similar to Apple's adjustments, due to external pressure. This suggests both tech giants are facing scrutiny regarding their app store policies.

TikTok: The article mentions TikTok (抖音) as a social media platform. An AI companion app developer uses platforms like TikTok and Instagram to directly reach users, circumventing Apple's App Store rankings. This strategy helps them engage with potential customers outside Apple's ecosystem.

Instagram: The provided article does not contain information about Instagram (照片墙), other than it being mentioned as a social media platform used by a developer of an AI companion app to reach users directly, bypassing the App Store's rankings.

AI generated, for reference only