Apple said that, following discussions with Chinese regulators, it will reduce the standard commission rate for in-app purchases and paid apps on its App Store in Mainland China for iOS and iPadOS starting March 15.
The move marks a historic cut in Apple’s commission rate in the Chinese market and represents a major shift in the company’s developer policy in the region.
Under the new policy, Apple will reduce the standard commission rate on in-app purchases and paid apps from the current 30% to 25%, a decrease of five percentage points.
At the same time, for small and medium-sized developers with annual revenue below $1 million, as well as eligible participants in Apple’s mini-program partner program, the commission on in-app purchases and the commission on auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year will be further lowered from 15% to 12%, a reduction of three percentage points.
The adjustment is expected to significantly ease cost pressures on developers. For small and medium-sized developers and content creators who rely on virtual goods monetization, it effectively expands their room for growth and sustainability.
The reduction in commission rates represents Apple’s proactive response to the needs of developers in the Chinese market, as well as the outcome of continued pressure from China’s antitrust regulators.
For a long time, Chinese developers had been subject to some of the highest “Apple tax” rates globally, which not only constrained developers’ innovation but also affected the healthy development of China’s digital economy.
Following the adjustment, commission levels in the Chinese market are now broadly in line with the lowest global rates, comparable to those in markets such as the European Union and Japan, effectively eliminating the previously existing country-specific discriminatory treatment.
For consumers, the reduction in commission rates is expected to bring tangible benefits. As developers’ costs decline, the price premium on digital goods and services on the iOS platform may gradually diminish.
Prices in scenarios such as subscription memberships, in-game purchases, and live-stream tipping are likely to fall, potentially saving consumers billions of yuan each year.
Apple said the adjustment is intended to provide more competitive commercial terms for developers in China and to support the continued growth of the country’s digital ecosystem. The company added that it will continue to communicate with Chinese regulators in the future to ensure that all developers can benefit from a fair and transparent market environment.
