Apple agreed to a $490 million settlement with the Department of Justice in June 2026 to resolve antitrust allegations related to its App Store commission structure and restrictions on third-party payment processing, while admitting no wrongdoing.
The settlement requires Apple to allow iOS app developers to link directly to external payment websites without paying Apple’s standard 15-30 percent commission, and to accept payment processors other than Apple Pay for in-app purchases under a new entitlement program.
Apple will also allow third-party app stores on iOS in the US market under a new framework modeled on its EU compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which it implemented in March 2024. The US third-party app store framework requires Apple approval for each alternative marketplace.
What Changes for Developers
Developers who use Apple’s new “Link Out” entitlement can link to their own websites for subscription upgrades, renewals, and purchases without any Apple commission. Apple retains a 27 percent commission on in-app purchases made through Apple’s own payment system.
The settlement establishes a $490 million fund to compensate US developers who paid commissions between January 2019 and the settlement date. Eligible developers must have earned between $1 million and $100 million annually from App Store sales to receive compensation from the fund.
Apple must not retaliate against developers who use the Link Out entitlement through reduced search ranking, editorial promotion, or feature access. The DOJ will monitor compliance for five years through an independent technical compliance monitor.
What Does Not Change
Apple’s 30 percent commission for large developers and 15 percent for small developers on in-app purchases made through the Apple payment system remains in place. The commission applies when developers choose not to use the Link Out entitlement.
App Store curation, including Apple’s ability to reject apps for policy violations, security concerns, or content standards, is unchanged by the settlement. The DOJ explicitly stated the settlement does not address Apple’s app review practices.
The settlement also does not require Apple to allow sideloading (installing apps from outside any app store) on iOS in the US. That issue is addressed separately under the EU DMA in Europe but was not part of this DOJ case.
App Store Antitrust Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Epic Games sues Apple over App Store commissions |
| 2021 | Judge rules for Apple on most counts in Epic case |
| 2022 | DOJ opens antitrust investigation of Apple |
| 2024 | Apple implements EU Digital Markets Act compliance |
| March 2026 | DOJ files formal antitrust complaint |
| June 2026 | $490M settlement reached, Link Out entitlement created |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apple App Store commission rate in 2026?
Apple charges a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases for developers earning more than $1 million annually from the App Store, and 15 percent for developers earning less than $1 million. The settlement creates a new option for developers to link out to external payment pages at no Apple commission, though the standard in-app purchase commission remains unchanged.
Can I now use non-Apple payment in iOS apps?
Yes, in theory. The settlement requires Apple to allow developers to offer links to external payment pages. Whether any given app offers this option depends on whether the developer chooses to implement the Link Out entitlement. Most major subscription apps are expected to add external payment links, which will allow users to pay lower prices by bypassing Apple’s commission.
Are third-party app stores coming to iPhone in the US?
The settlement requires Apple to permit third-party app stores in the US under a framework requiring Apple approval for each marketplace. Apple must provide the same access it offers under EU DMA compliance. However, Apple’s approval requirement and technical restrictions on alternative marketplaces mean third-party app stores in the US will be more limited than in Europe.
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