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PRESS RELEASE December 17, 2025
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced changes impacting iOS apps in Japan to comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). These updates create new options for developers to distribute apps on alternative app marketplaces and to process app payments for digital goods and services outside of Apple In-App Purchase. Across these changes, Apple has worked to reduce new privacy and security risks the law creates to provide users in Japan the best and safest experience possible.

New Options for Developers to Distribute Apps on iOS in Japan

New Options for Payments in App Store Apps on iOS

Updated Business Terms for iOS Apps in Japan

  • App Store commission: iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of either 10 percent for the vast majority of developers — including members of the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and for subscriptions following their first year — or 21 percent on transactions for digital goods and services. The App Store commission reflects the value of the tools, technology, and services that enable developers to create apps, in addition to App Store distribution, discovery, and ongoing services.
  • Apple payment processing fee: In their iOS apps on the App Store, developers can process payments using Apple In-App Purchase for an additional 5 percent fee.
  • Store services commission: iOS apps on the App Store will pay a commission of 15 percent on transactions for digital goods and services made on a website linked to by the developer’s app. Developers in the programs mentioned above, and subscriptions following their first year, will pay a reduced rate of 10 percent.
  • Core Technology Commission: iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store will pay a 5 percent commission on the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps. The Core Technology Commission compensates Apple for the tools, technologies, and services that enable developers to build and share their apps with iOS users.

Impacts to Kids’ Online Safety

  • Apps in the Kids category on the App Store will not include links to websites to complete transactions, to reduce the risk of fraud or scams targeting children.
  • For users under 18 years old, all apps from the App Store that use alternative payment processing or link to a website for transactions must include a parental gate that requires younger users to involve their parent or guardian before making a purchase. 
  • For users under 13 years old, apps from the App Store cannot link to websites for transactions to protect against the risk of scams that target younger kids.
  • Apple is also working to provide developers using alternative payments with a new API so they can enable parents to monitor and approve purchases made outside of Apple In-App Purchase.

Additional Updates to iOS

  • A browser choice screen and search engine choice experience, giving users in Japan new ways to pick their preferred browser and search engine.
  • Default controls for navigation apps and app marketplaces.
  • New options for developers of browser apps to use alternative browser engines other than WebKit, with strict security and privacy requirements.
  • A new API that enables developers of voice-based conversational apps to provide users the option to launch their app with the iPhone side button.
  • A process to request interoperability with core technologies in iPhone and iOS.

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