Apple has officially revised its U.S. App Store guidelines to permit developers to include links directing users to external websites for digital purchases and subscriptions. This policy shift is a direct response to a U.S. court ruling in the long-standing legal battle against Epic Games, which challenged Apple’s restrictive control over in-app transactions.
Compliance with Judicial Mandates
In a recent official update to its App Review Guidelines, Apple confirmed it is adjusting its policies to align with the court’s decision regarding external links, buttons, and calls to action within applications. The legal dispute, initiated by Epic Games in 2020, centered on Apple’s requirement that all digital transactions pass through its own system, allowing the tech giant to collect a commission of up to 30%.
Eliminating “Scare Screens”
Following a failed appeal against the initial 2021 injunction, Apple previously attempted to comply by allowing external links while imposing a 27% commission and requiring the display of “scare screens”—warning messages intended to discourage users from leaving the App Store ecosystem. The latest court intervention has forced Apple to remove these requirements, including specific language mandates previously enforced for external links.
The company has already stripped away guidelines regarding how these links and disclosure screens must be presented to users.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
Major players are already acting on the new policy. Spotify, a long-time critic of Apple’s App Store practices, has already submitted an app update for the U.S. market that incorporates direct links for external subscription purchases.
Despite the changes, Apple maintains its opposition to the court’s findings. In a public statement, the company expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, confirming it will comply with the order while simultaneously pursuing further appeals.
Questions remain regarding the future of the commission structure. It is currently unclear if Apple intends to continue charging a fee on payments processed via these external links, as the company has yet to clarify its long-term financial strategy for this new compliance model.