Apple divides app developers into two groups to comply with the Digital Markets Act; 'Tier 1' will be subject to a 5% commission on in-app purchases in exchange for functionality restrictions
It has been revealed that Apple has made significant changes to the rules set for app developers in the EU. Apple has been fined €500 million (approximately 84 billion yen) by the European Commission, the EU's executive body, for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and it is believed that the rule changes are intended to avoid the fine.
Updates for apps in the European Union - Latest News - Apple Developer
Apple Again Changes EU App Store Rules and Fees to Comply With DMA - MacRumors
Apple changes App Store rules in EU to avoid hefty fines
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2025/06/26/apple-changes-app-store-rules-in-eu-to-avoid-hefty-fines_6742752_13.html
The European Commission has announced that it will impose a fine of 500 million euros (approximately 84 billion euros) on Apple in April 2025 for violating the DMA, which requires developers who distribute apps on the App Store to entice users with alternative offers outside the App Store.
Apple and Meta fined €500 million and €200 million respectively for violating DMA, White House responds with 'economic extortion' - GIGAZINE
After being warned that it would face additional 'regular fines' if it did not make changes to its rules to comply with the DMA within 60 days, Apple changed its App Store rules to allow developers to offer different payment options to users of their apps by the June 26, 2025 deadline.
The new system divides developers broadly into two groups, 'Tier 1' and 'Tier 2,' and changes the services they offer on the App Store.
Store Services tiers in the EU - Reference - App Store Connect - Help - Apple Developer
The default will be 'Tier 2,' which provides full access to all App Store features, and only developers with apps that promote digital goods or services on the EU App Store will be able to move to 'Tier 1' and receive reduced fees.
Specifically, 'Tier 1' has a wide range of restrictions, including automatic updates and downloads of apps, replies to user reviews, ratings and review functions, search suggestions, natural language search, dashboards and performance measurements for store insights, and the issuance of promotional codes. In return, the commission is quite low at '5% of in-app purchases.'
Although Apple has already paid the 500 million euro fine, it has stated that it is not satisfied with the additional changes requested by the European Commission, stating that it 'does not agree with the outcome and intends to appeal.'
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