Apple drops commission rates in China without a fuss | TechCrunch

"We are committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers, and to always offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets."

"The decision to adjust commissions without a long, public battle indicates both how important China is to Apple's market, as well as how Apple sees its App Store's business value. The company in its first quarter reported soaring iPhone sales in China, with revenue up 16% year-over-year, helping it deliver a record-breaking quarter."

"Compared with the EU, where Apple and regulators have been going back and forth on commission changes for years, Apple seemingly dropped its rates in China without pushback. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Apple prevailed in a legal battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games, as a judge decided the iPhone maker was not a monopoly."

Apple announced commission rate reductions for its App Store in China following discussions with Chinese regulators. The standard commission drops from 30% to 25% for paid apps and in-app purchases, while auto-renewal commissions decrease from 15% to 12% after the first year. These changes take effect March 15, 2026, and require no new developer agreements. The adjustment reflects China's strategic importance to Apple, particularly given strong iPhone sales growth in the region. Unlike prolonged regulatory negotiations in the EU or legal battles in the U.S., Apple implemented these changes without significant public resistance, demonstrating different regulatory environments across markets.

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