Under EU digital market law, Apple is required to allow developers to freely notify customers of alternative offers outside of the App Store.
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apple The company announced Thursday that it will reduce its App Store fees from 30% to 15% if some app makers participate in a new program managed by the iPhone maker.
The Mini Apps Partner Program offers competitive rates to app developers in exchange for building apps using some of Apple’s technology. This includes using Apple software to register your purchase history, verify your age, and process in-app purchases.
“Mini-apps” are lightweight software in third-party app stores, like Discord’s app store. These apps are built using web technologies such as HTML and Javascript.
Most notably, China’s WeChat offers millions of mini-apps built by other developers to help users track packages, find transportation, and shop online. Artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI are increasingly integrating mini-apps within their chatbots.
The move is Apple’s latest effort to evolve the App Store. The company is under pressure from European regulators and a U.S. court ruling to relinquish control of the App Store and lower prices. In most countries, the Apple App Store is the only way to install software on your iPhone.
The company has offered several similar programs in recent years for video, news and small app developers that cut fees from iPhone makers in exchange for developers choosing deeper integration and participation in Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple argues that both developers and users are better off using its technology and rules rather than avoiding them in an attempt to avoid fees.
“This program is designed to help developers who host mini-apps grow their business and further increase the availability of their mini-apps on the App Store, while providing a superior customer experience,” the company said in an announcement.
Apple prohibits other companies from offering their own app stores on its platform, but has embraced mini-apps in recent years. Last year, mini apps were able to start charging in-app purchases using Apple’s software for digital goods such as in-game currency and lives in video games.
All iPhone developers submit their apps to Apple. Apple reviews human submissions before making software available for download on the App Store.
Participants in the new program will be required to provide information to Apple for each specific Mini App experience they offer.
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