Apple Proposes 15% Fee on External iOS Purchases After Supreme Court Rebuff
Apple proposes 15% fees on external iOS purchases, with rates as low as 5%, after the Supreme Court rejected its bid to pause the Epic Games case in court.
Summary
Apple on Thursday submitted a proposed commission structure for purchases completed through external links inside iOS apps, according to an August 14, 2026 TechCrunch report. Its filing in the U.S. District Court of Northern California sets a 15% rate for standard apps, 5% for Small Business Program developers, and 10% for members of the Video Partner Program, News Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program. Subscription renewals would also carry a 10% commission.
The filing followed the Supreme Court's Thursday rejection of Apple's attempt to pause lower court proceedings in its years long Epic Games dispute. Apple wanted the justices first to address whether it was in contempt for imposing a 27% external purchase commission and restricting how developers presented payment links. Apple says fees recover its investment in App Store tools, technology, software, and services. It compared its proposal with Google Play's 20% standard link out rate, 15% special program rate, and 10% renewal rate, which Epic Games accepted.
Positives
- Small Business Program developers would pay 5% on external purchases under Apple's proposal.
- Video, News, and Mini Apps Partner Program members would receive a reduced 10% rate.
- Subscription renewals would carry a 10% commission instead of Apple's proposed 15% standard rate.
- The Supreme Court's rejection forced Apple to disclose its planned external purchase commission structure.
Risks & concerns
- Standard iOS apps would still owe Apple 15% when purchases are completed through external links.
- Apple previously imposed a 27% external purchase commission and rules restricting how developers displayed payment links.
- Apple attempted to delay the lower court proceedings until the Supreme Court addressed the contempt dispute.
- The proposal extends Apple's commissions beyond App Store payment processing, maintaining costs for affected developers.
