Apple Updates App Store Rules to Allow External Payment Links Following Court Ruling

Apple has made changes to its App Store Guidelines, now allowing app developers to direct users to payment options outside the App Store.

This update comes after a U.S. court ruled in favor of Epic Games in their ongoing legal battle with Apple.

The revised guidelines specifically permit developers to include links in their apps that take users to external websites where they can make digital purchases. This change marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to in-app payments.

"The App Review Guidelines have been updated for compliance with a United States court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps," Apple explained in a blog post announcing the changes. The company clarified that these new rules only affect apps distributed on the U.S. version of the App Store.

The update follows Epic Games' lawsuit from 2020 that challenged Apple's tight control over in-app transactions. After losing its appeal in the case, Apple had initially allowed external payment links but still imposed a 27% commission on such transactions and displayed warning messages that critics called "scare screens."

The recent court ruling ordered Apple to stop using these warning screens when users attempt to leave the App Store for payments. In response, Apple has removed the language about these screens from its guidelines.

The Verge reports that while Apple cannot delay implementing this decision, the company has stated its intention to appeal the ruling. This suggests the legal battle over App Store policies may continue.