SAN FRANCISCO, August 16, 2026, 18:08 PDT
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) wants to collect up to 15% from U.S. developers on digital purchases made outside its App Store, if users start those purchases by clicking a link from an iPhone or iPad app. The fee is still just a court proposal and not in effect.
The plan may take back a lot of the margin developers got when external-purchase fees dropped to zero. Developers still have to cover their own web-payment fees. That means less space for price cuts or larger payouts to creators.
Apple is offering a 15% standard rate. Qualifying partner programs and subscription renewals get a 10% rate. Developers in the Small Business Program pay 5%.
| Proposed U.S. category | External-purchase fee | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Standard App Store app | 15% | Sent to district court for approval |
| Video Partner, News Partner or Mini Apps Partner app; subscription renewal | 10% | Sent to district court for approval |
| Small Business Program app | 5% | Sent to district court for approval |
The Ninth Circuit ruled Apple can get back “necessary costs” from linked purchases. Apple admitted these costs as defined by the court would be “essentially zero.” Still, it pushed for wider compensation, saying its tools, technology and services deserve it. Apple court filing
Epic Games, which owns Fortnite, pushed back on the proposal, saying the rates are “far outside of the bounds” set by the appeals court. The company is expected to submit its response with expert evidence in about 60 days. The Verge
The dispute started after a 2021 injunction let developers direct users away from Apple’s platform. Apple responded by setting fees as high as 27% on those external transactions. In April 2025, a district judge held Apple in contempt. The present order stops Apple from collecting outside purchase fees while the lower court reviews what level, if any, should be allowed.
| U.S. phase | Maximum external-purchase fee | Practical position |
|---|---|---|
| Apple’s prior implementation | 27% | District court said non-compliant |
| Current rules | 0% | Developers can link out with no Apple cut |
| Apple’s new proposal | 15% | Still in court, briefs pending |
Apple’s Brazil terms give a clear marker for fees. Most web-linked sales come with a 15% charge, while some qualifying programs see a 10% rate. These are the same as two U.S. tiers Apple recently suggested.
| Linked web transaction | Proposed U.S. rate | Published Brazil rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard app | 15% | 15% |
| Qualifying partner program or subscription after year one | 10% | 10% |
| Small Business Program app | 5% | 10% |
Apple would keep $1.50 from a $10 digital sale under the proposed standard fee. With the small-business rate, that drops to 50 cents. Payment processor fees would still apply.
| $10 sample sale | Apple cut | Left before payment and dev costs |
|---|---|---|
| Current outside-US purchase | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| 5% suggested tier | $0.50 | $9.50 |
| 10% suggested tier | $1.00 | $9.00 |
| 15% suggested tier | $1.50 | $8.50 |
Apple users face another trade-off on support. Purchases made outside the App Store won’t show up in App Store purchase history, the company says. Subscription management, Family Sharing, Ask to Buy and Report a Problem refunds also won’t work for these.
The Supreme Court will look at whether Apple was rightly found in contempt. The lower court is still weighing what fee, if any, is allowed under the injunction. That could mean the rates on the table change or go away.
Risks: The court could throw out Apple’s plan, trim it, or push back the timing. Right now, developers can’t set prices based on the proposal. Shoppers may want to check refund and subscription policies before using web payment.
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