Apple Forced to Comply with Court Ruling, Opens Door to External Purchases

Apple has updated its App Store policies to now allow developers to add links directing users to external payment platforms, a major shift in its long-held position. This change applies to apps distributed on the U.S. storefront and follows a court ruling issued just the day before. Spotify, long critical of Apple’s restrictions, was quick to act on the new freedom.

The update came via revised App Store Review Guidelines, with Apple notifying developers in an email Thursday night. The company explained the change was made “for compliance with a United States court decision,” according to a report by 9to5Mac. The adjustment lifts the ban on linking out of apps to alternative payment methods, signaling a noteworthy loosening of Apple’s control over digital transactions within apps.

Specifically, changes to sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.3 now permit apps to include “buttons, external links, or other calls to action” that allow users to manage accounts or purchase digital content outside of Apple’s ecosystem. For developers like Spotify, this means they can now clearly inform users within the app that they can subscribe or purchase content directly through the company’s website, potentially bypassing Apple’s commission.

Spotify wasted no time. On Thursday afternoon, the company submitted an updated version of its iOS app, now equipped with external payment links. The move comes as no surprise given Spotify’s longstanding criticism of Apple’s 30% App Store commission, which the streaming service has repeatedly said stifles competition.

Other companies are likely to follow. Services like Patreon, which also rely heavily on direct subscription payments, are expected to revise their apps. Payment platform Stripe has already jumped in, sharing a tutorial to help developers enable non-App Store payments via their tools.

Epic Games is also capitalizing on the shift. In a blog post, the company announced a 0% store fee on the first \$1 million in revenue per app each year—a significant incentive for developers. After the threshold, a 12% fee applies. Epic also introduced its Webshops, allowing developers to sell directly to users, further sidestepping Apple’s infrastructure.

Apple hasn’t embraced the change warmly. In a statement to 9to5Mac, the company said it “strongly disagrees with the decision” but will comply while appealing the ruling. While the policy shift is currently U.S.-only, it represents a meaningful concession from Apple, even if it proves temporary.

What happens from here remains to be seen. Developers in the U.S. now have new tools to manage transactions on their terms, and Spotify is already setting the pace. Whether this momentum extends globally will depend on further legal outcomes and developer pushback against the so-called “Apple tax.”

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe & share!