App Store Links Are Here to Stay, and Apple’s Not Happy About It

Apple mostly won in its fight against Epic, but in turn, it was forced to make some changes. This includes allowing developers to include links to external payment systems outside of the App Store. Obviously, Apple isn’t thrilled and tried to block it. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way Apple hoped as the company loses its bid to prevent web links from showing up in the App Store.

The Apple App Store has to keep web links

Apple had previously submitted a request to halt a judge’s order to prevent web links from showing up in the App Store. However, a higher court rejected Apple’s bid. The court claims that it was “not persuaded” that blocking the order could affect Apple’s chances of succeeding.

Prior to this, Apple’s App Store policies prevented developers from letting users know that there are alternative payment methods. Apple takes a roughly 30% cut from app sales and in-app purchases. Pointing users to external payment systems means Apple no longer receives a cut.

Since then, iOS apps such as Spotify and Kindle have taken advantage of this change. Both apps have added links that allow users to make purchases outside the App Store. Epic’s Fortnite, which has been conspicuously absent for the past few years, has also triumphantly returned.

Epic was also gracious enough to allow users to pay using Apple’s in-app payment system or its own.

Apple spokesperson Olivia Dalton issued a statement on the company’s rejected bid by saying, “We are disappointed with the decision not to stay the district court’s order, and we’ll continue to argue our case during the appeals process. As we’ve said before, we strongly disagree with the district court’s opinion. Our goal is to ensure the App Store remains an incredible opportunity for developers and a safe and trusted experience for our users.”

Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney also chimed in, proclaiming that the “long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended.”

Rise of Apple services

It’s not hard to see why Apple was so adamant about developers using its payment system. Apple sells a lot of hardware, like its Mac computers and iPhones. However, based on the company’s earnings from the past few years, Apple is starting to earn more money from its services.

After all, Apple can only sell so much hardware. Locking customers into its ecosystem and encouraging them to subscribe ensures a more sustainable source of revenue.

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