Apple lowers App Store commission rates in China

On Thursday, Apple announced that it is reducing its App Store commission rates in China following discussions with the Chinese regulator. The App Store is Apple’s digital distribution platform for mobile apps, and the commission rate represents the percentage fee the company charges developers on app sales and in-app purchases. These upcoming changes are documented in the new version of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement and are scheduled to take effect on March 15, 2026.

Under the updated agreement, Apple will lower its fees for developers in China as follows:

• The commission rate for paid apps and in-app purchases will be reduced to 25%, down from the previous rate of 30%.
• The commission rate for auto-renewals of in-app purchases will drop to 12% from 15% after the first year of the subscription.

This regulatory resolution in China stands in contrast to Apple’s more contentious regulatory battles in other major jurisdictions, specifically the EU and the U.S. In the U.S., Apple recently prevailed in a legal battle with Epic Games, the video game developer and publisher known for Fortnite. In that lawsuit, the presiding judge decided that “the iPhone maker was not a monopoly.”

The decision to adjust these commission rates highlights the strategic importance of the Chinese market to Apple’s business. In its first quarter, Apple reported a 16% year-over-year increase in revenue in China, demonstrating strong financial performance in the region.

In its announcement of the changes, Apple stated: “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.”

Why it matters

Apple’s decision to adjust commission rates in China following discussions with regulators highlights the market’s importance and contrasts with the company’s more contentious regulatory battles in the EU and U.S.