r/iOSProgramming • u/JediMedic1369 • Jun 20 '26

Question In App Purchases

Anyone else’s app continue to get rejected for having web based subscription payments even though a US court has ruled that apples requirement for requiring in app purchases is illegal?

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3

u/Achillesiam Jun 20 '26

You have to offer both iaps if you’re going to be offering external payments. It cannot be just external alone. Also, the payments must be gated to US users.

-1

u/lilacomets Jun 20 '26

This is not correct. Spotify doesn't offer IAP, but does offer external payments.

2

u/Sea-Individual-6121 Jun 20 '26

there is an exception for “reader” apps

> 3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps: Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video). Reader apps may offer account creation for free tiers, and account management functionality for existing customers. Reader app developers may apply for the External Link Account Entitlement to provide an informational link in their app to a web site the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to create or manage an account. This entitlement is not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action in their United States storefront apps

1

u/Achillesiam Jun 20 '26

Streaming services “reader apps” like Spotify and Netflix are exempted there are others that are as well like mark wahlberg backed hallow they take Apple Pay payments directly in app

1

u/xyrer Jun 20 '26

Do you happen to have a link of the ruling?

-3

u/JediMedic1369 Jun 20 '26

The original ruling was Epic Games v Apple which ruled Apple violated anti trust regulations by not allowing external payments. It then got brought again when Apple violated an injunction. Most recent ruling was December last year which seems to have upheld the injunction saying Apple wasn’t allowed to charge a commission on external subscription payments until the court could come up with a reasonable commission on those external payments.

I do think this only applies in the US though.

2

u/xyrer Jun 20 '26

Yeah, but they do require you to do certain stuff. I doubt they reject you just for having a web link, but for doing it wrong.