Apple Opens App Store to External Payments: A Win for Developers and Revolv3

In a landmark shift, Apple has updated its U.S. App Store policies to allow developers to link users to external websites for payments, effectively enabling them to bypass the long-criticized 30% commission fee. This change follows a decisive court ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple case, which found Apple in violation of a previous injunction that mandated more flexibility for developers.

What’s Changed?

Previously, developers were locked into Apple’s in-app purchase system, which came with a steep 30% fee and a burdensome waiver process for exceptions. Now, developers can:

• Direct users to external payment platforms without needing a waiver.

• Avoid Apple’s commission entirely, pending further clarification from Apple.

• Bypass “scare screens” that previously warned users about leaving the App Store ecosystem.

This opens the door for a new era of app monetization, especially for subscription-based services, gaming apps, and digital content providers.

A Major Opportunity for Payment Platforms

This policy shift is a significant opportunity for advanced payment platforms like Revolv3, which offers:

• Pay-by-link functionality via hosted checkout pages.

• In-app integration through a robust suite of APIs.

• Seamless onboarding for developers looking to transition from Apple’s billing system.

With no product changes required, companies can now focus on marketing communication to inform users of new payment options, unlocking revenue potential previously constrained by Apple’s policies.

What’s Next?

As the dust settles, developers now have more freedom than ever to choose how they monetize their apps. Platforms like Revolv3 are poised to become essential partners in this new landscape, offering flexible, developer-friendly solutions that align with the evolving regulatory environment.