Apple has revised its App Store payment guidelines to allow developers to link to external payment platforms, marking a significant shift in its longstanding policy after a U.S. court ruling accused the tech giant of non-compliance.
The announcement, made Friday, comes just two days after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers accused Apple of “willfully” violating a previous court order and potentially facing criminal liability for obstructing competition on its App Store.
Spotify, one of Apple’s most vocal critics, quickly seized the opportunity, confirming that its U.S. app update had been approved to include direct pricing information and purchase links. The company called it “a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors.”
“Today represents a significant milestone for developers and entrepreneurs who want to compete on a more level playing field,” Spotify said in a post on X.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also applauded the move, congratulating Spotify for becoming the first major iOS app to exercise the court-mandated right to bypass Apple’s in-app payment system, often referred to as the “Apple Tax.”
Although Apple has signaled plans to appeal the decision, a company spokesperson said it would comply with the court order in the interim.
The legal battle stems from a lawsuit filed by Epic Games in 2021, challenging Apple’s dominance over the App Store. While the court ruled Apple was not a monopoly, it mandated the company to allow developers to include alternate payment options.
However, Apple’s initial compliance efforts introduced what the court called “scare screens” to discourage users from using external payment methods, triggering further legal scrutiny.
“Apple’s 15–30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act,” Sweeney stated.
The changes come at a time when Apple is expanding its services division—encompassing iCloud, Apple Music, and the App Store—which now contributes over 25% of the company’s total revenue.
Industry analysts say the move may help Apple mend its image with developers. “It’s not the end of the App Store being a major revenue stream,” said Carolina Milanesi, a tech analyst at Creative Strategies. “But Apple must show that it prioritizes developers’ interests.”
While major players like Spotify can invest in alternate systems, Milanesi noted that the App Store still provides smaller developers with vital reach at relatively low cost.
