Overview
- The standard fee on in-app purchases and paid apps for iOS and iPadOS in mainland China drops from 30% to 25% starting March 15, 2026.
- Rates under the App Store Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program fall from 15% to 12% for eligible in-app purchases and post–first-year auto-renewal subscriptions.
- Developers do not need to sign new terms to receive the lower rates, which Apple says will apply automatically once the change takes effect.
- Apple emphasizes it will keep terms fair and transparent for developers in China and maintain App Store rates that are not higher than those in other markets.
- Tencent, Baidu and Douyin publicly welcomed the move as lowering developer costs and supporting the ecosystem, with industry commentary highlighting likely gains for games and mini-programs and noting a related 2025 Apple–Tencent arrangement on WeChat payments.