Apple Outlines Proposed 15% Fee Structure for External App Store Links

Apple has submitted a proposal outlining new fee structures for transactions completed via external links within iOS software. The filing, presented to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Thursday, details plans to lower standard commissions on out-of-app purchases to 15%, as first reported by TechCrunch.

The proposed framework introduces tiered rate reductions depending on developer classification and subscription status. Under the submission, participants in Apple's small business program would pay a 5% commission on external sales. Meanwhile, developers enrolled in specialized initiatives—such as the News Partner Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program—would face a 10% fee. Recurring subscription renewals would likewise be subject to a 10% assessment.

The submission follows a prolonged court conflict between Apple and Epic Games over control of iOS payment mechanics and commission fees. Apple had previously attempted to put lower court proceedings on hold, seeking to delay disclosing its revised rate schedule.

Apple argued that the district court should suspend action until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a separate issue in the dispute. That matter concerns whether Apple violated a previous injunction by levying a 27% charge on out-of-app transactions alongside strict guidelines on how developers could display external link options to users.

However, the Supreme Court denied Apple's request for a stay on Thursday. The decision effectively compelled the Cupertino, California-based technology giant to submit its proposed fee arrangement to the district court without further delay.

In its filing, Apple maintained that levying fees on external sales is justified to recover capital spent building and maintaining the software ecosystem, developer tools, and infrastructure supporting the App Store.

Apple also highlighted competing platform policies in its submission, pointing to Google Play's commission model. Google charges 20% for standard applications using external link-outs, 15% for participants in designated partner programs, and 10% on subscription renewals. Apple noted in the filing that Epic Games had previously consented to those terms on Android.