Apple drops commission rates in China without a fuss

Apple isdroppingits commission rate in the App Store in China to 25% from 30% following discussions with the Chinese regulator, the company said Thursday.

The new 25% commission will apply to paid apps and in-app purchases, while a lower 12% commission (down from 15%) will be charged for auto-renewals of in-app purchases after their first year.

The changes go into effect on March 15, 2026, and will not require developers to accept new terms, Apple said.

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, withrevenue up 16% year-over-year, helping it deliver a record-breaking quarter.

Comparedwith the EU, where Apple and regulators have been goingback and forthon commission changesfor 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 makerwas not a monopoly, though developers won the right to route their users to alternative purchase methods (at leastfor now).

As a result, Apple has kept the same rates in the U.S., though it has programs that offer discounted rates for various parties,like small businesses.

The changes in China are documented in the new version of theApple Developer Program License Agreement.

“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 company said in its announcement.