A day after a federal judge ruled that Apple must permit developers to include in-app links to third-party payment options, the tech giant announced significant updates to its App Store policies to comply. Under the new guidelines, developers can now add external links or payment gateways for purchases and subscriptions without owing Apple a commission.
These changes apply only to apps available on the U.S. App Store. Apps on international versions of the store remain subject to existing restrictions. According to the updated policy, iOS and macOS apps may include "buttons, external links, or other calls to action" that guide users to outside payment systems.
The updates follow a court ruling from the previous year, which required Apple to allow such external options. While Apple initially complied by introducing a system that still charged developers a fee, it has now removed the clause—often called the "entitlement"—that allowed it to collect commissions on those external payments.
Spotify was quick to act on the change, updating its app to include an external payment option. The company welcomed the shift, calling it a “victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors,” and noting it would allow U.S. users “lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience.”
The policy reversal follows a ruling by California District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the long-running antitrust case brought by Epic Games. In her decision, Judge Rogers criticized Apple for previously ignoring court orders and reprimanded CEO Tim Cook and other executives for noncompliance.
While Apple has now updated its policies, the company has made clear it does not agree with the ruling and intends to appeal the decision.