Apple is changing its App Store rules in the European Union again, effective 1 October 2026. New commissions replace old fees, and every developer moves to one set of terms. Anyone building or buying apps in the EU, including crypto wallets and Web3 tools, will feel the shift.
What actually happened
Apple's new terms start 1 October 2026, according to The Verge. App Store purchases using Apple's in-app payment system carry a 26 percent commission. Developers using alternate payment providers pay 20 percent. Purchases completed by linking out of the app carry a 15 percent commission. Apps distributed through third-party stores or the web pay a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions instead. Apple is dropping its initial acquisition fee, store services fee, and the old Core Technology Fee, a €0.50 per-install charge above 1 million annual installs. Developers must keep their chosen payment option for 12 months, which Apple says provides "consistency and clarity for users." Epic Games has called the new rates "junk fees," per the report.
How we got here
Apple first rewrote its App Store rules last year to comply with the Digital Markets Act, the EU's law regulating large tech platforms. The Commission later fined Apple after finding its anti-steering rules broke the DMA. Apple fought back, arguing the App Store and iOS should not fall under the law at all. It lost that bid last month. These new terms are Apple's latest attempt to close out that fight and set rules it says will hold going forward.
Why this matters for you
Developers distributing apps in the EU get a clearer, single rulebook, but still face commissions ranging from 5 to 26 percent depending on distribution method. Small developers in Apple's discount programs pay reduced rates. Crypto and Web3 apps using alternate payment rails could see lower fees than under the old in-app purchase system. Users under 18 will need a parent or guardian's approval for alternative payment purchases inside App Store apps, and apps aimed at children under 13 lose the option to link out for payment entirely.
The bigger question
Does a single, simplified fee structure actually end platform disputes, or does it just reset the argument over what counts as a fair fee for building on someone else's platform?
What to watch
Apple's new terms take effect 1 October 2026. Developer reaction, especially from Epic Games, is likely to continue in the run-up. Watch for further Commission scrutiny under the DMA and whether other regions push Apple toward similar changes. Bonuz will track how these fees affect wallet and app distribution in Europe.
