Introduction to Apple’s Updated Guidelines

Apple has recently updated its App Store guidelines to comply with a California court order. The court had required Apple to immediately stop collecting commissions on purchases made outside the App Store.

Key Changes in the Guidelines

As noticed by 9to5Mac, the updated guidelines now allow developers to include "buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase" for apps on the US storefront, without needing an entitlement from Apple.

Compliance with Court Decision

The changes are in response to a US court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps, as stated by Apple in a statement. The updates are a result of Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ ruling in a lawsuit against Apple, which found that the company had violated her 2021 ruling by taking a 27 percent cut from external purchases.

Impact on Developers and Consumers

Epic Games had accused Apple of non-compliance with the court order. In response to the updated guidelines, Epic chief Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to iOS next week. Other companies, such as Spotify, are also planning to roll out updates to bypass Apple’s commission for external payments.

Conclusion

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn a commission. The updated guidelines mark a significant change in Apple’s App Store policies, allowing developers to offer external payment options to customers in the US.