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Apple changes App Store rules to allow external purchases
Kofi Acquah, 10:01am, 2 May 2025; 2 minute read
Apple has updated its App Store Guidelines
around external payments and links in response to the injunction issued
this week in the Epic v. Apple case. The changes, spotted by 9to5Mac
, allow developers to steer users outside Apple’s App Store to make external purchases in compliance with the ruling.
Language has been updated in the following sections of the App Store Guidelines, which all focus on acceptable purchase methods:
- 3.1.1 In-App Purchase: Apps may allow users to browse NFT collections owned by others, provided that, except for apps on the United States storefront, the apps may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.
- 3.1.1(a) Link to Other Purchase Methods: Developers may apply for entitlements to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase digital content or services. These entitlements are not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or others calls to action in their United States storefront apps.
- 3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods: Apps in this section cannot, within the app, encourage users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase, except for apps on the United States storefront and as set forth in 3.1.1(a) and 3.1.3(a).
- 3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps: Reader app developers may apply for the External Link Account Entitlement to provide an informational link in their app to a web site the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to create or manage an account. This entitlement is not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action in their United States storefront apps.
