**Apple Cuts Mini App Commission in Half, Unveils New Partner Program**
In a major shift for developers and app ecosystems, Apple ha...
In a major shift for developers and app ecosystems, Apple has announced it will cut its commission rate for mini apps in half, launching a new Mini Apps Partner Program that slashes the fee from 30% to just 15%. The move, confirmed by Apple on Thursday, is set to reshape how third-party mini apps and games operate within larger host apps on the App Store, particularly in markets like China where mini apps have become a dominant force.
The new program is designed to encourage more developers to...
The new program is designed to encourage more developers to build and host lightweight, HTML5- and JavaScript-based mini apps—small, self-contained experiences that run inside larger applications—by offering a significantly reduced commission on in-app purchases. The 15% rate applies to all qualifying digital goods and services sold within mini apps that are not controlled by the host developer, including consumables, non-consumables, and both auto-renewing and non-renewing subscriptions.
This change comes after more than a year of negotiations bet...
This change comes after more than a year of negotiations between Apple and Tencent, the Chinese tech giant behind WeChat, the world’s most popular messaging app. Under a landmark deal, Apple will now process all payments for WeChat mini games and mini apps, taking a 15% cut of every purchase. Previously, many mini app developers had found ways to circumvent Apple’s typical 30% commission by funneling users to external payment systems, a practice Apple has long sought to eliminate.
The new Mini Apps Partner Program requires developers to com...
The new Mini Apps Partner Program requires developers to comply with Apple’s App Review Guidelines, specifically guideline 4.7, and the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Host apps must provide a manifest that includes metadata for every hosted mini app, as well as detailed information about all in-app purchases, ensuring transparency for users and accurate commission tracking for Apple.
Apple emphasized that the reduced rate applies only to purch...
Apple emphasized that the reduced rate applies only to purchases managed through its Advanced Commerce API and does not extend to transactions shared across multiple mini apps. Developers already participating in other Apple programs, such as the App Store Small Business Program, remain eligible for the new commission structure.
The move is expected to unlock a massive new revenue stream...
The move is expected to unlock a massive new revenue stream for Apple. WeChat’s mini games and apps contributed over $4.5 billion in social network revenue for Tencent in the last quarter alone, and with Apple now collecting a 15% cut, analysts estimate the company could earn billions of dollars in additional commission annually.
“This is a win-win for developers, users, and Apple,” said a...
“This is a win-win for developers, users, and Apple,” said an Apple spokesperson. “By lowering the commission, we’re making it easier for developers to innovate and reach new audiences, while ensuring a consistent and secure purchase experience for users.”
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the devel...
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the developer community, many of whom have long criticized Apple’s high commission rates. The new program is seen as a sign that Apple is adapting its business model to local market realities, particularly in regions where mini apps are a key part of the digital ecosystem.
Apple’s decision also reflects broader changes in the global...
Apple’s decision also reflects broader changes in the global app economy, as regulators and competitors push for more open and fair app store practices. The company has already reduced commission rates in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, and the new Mini Apps Partner Program may signal further adjustments in other markets.
For now, the focus is on China, where WeChat’s 1.41 billion...
For now, the focus is on China, where WeChat’s 1.41 billion monthly active users represent a vast and lucrative market. With Apple now firmly in the mix, the stage is set for a new era of mini app innovation—and a significant boost to Apple’s bottom line.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 5:50:41 PM
Apple's decision to cut its Mini App commission by half comes amid continued regulatory scrutiny under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU mandated commission reductions—down to 17% for large developers and 10% for small developers—and required Apple to allow third-party app stores in the region to foster competition. However, Apple argues the DMA has failed to lower app prices or benefit consumers, citing a commissioned study that found developers largely kept the savings instead of passing them on, and contends the law reduces privacy and security while increasing complexity for users and developers alike[1][3][5].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:00:41 PM
Apple has slashed its commission on mini apps to 15%, down from the standard 30%, launching a new Mini Apps Partner Program that applies globally and requires developers to comply with strict App Review Guidelines. The move follows a landmark deal with Tencent, which will now pay Apple a 15% cut on all WeChat mini app and mini game purchases—potentially generating billions in new revenue for Apple and setting a precedent for similar arrangements worldwide. International developers and tech giants are reacting with cautious optimism, as Apple’s reduced rate could reshape in-app payment ecosystems across major markets.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:10:38 PM
Apple has launched its App Store Mini Apps Partner Program, reducing commission rates to 15 percent on in-app purchases for developers hosting small applications within larger native apps—half the standard 30 percent rate.[2] The move targets creators building self-contained experiences using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript within host applications.[2] This commission reduction comes as Apple faces ongoing regulatory pressure from the EU's Digital Markets Act, though specific government responses to this particular mini app initiative have not yet been detailed in available reports.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:30:38 PM
Apple's recent decision to cut the commission rate for Mini Apps from the standard 30% to 15% has been met with mixed reactions. Consumers appreciate the potential for lower costs and more app variety, but some developers remain skeptical, feeling the reduction insufficient given Apple's control over payments and the App Store ecosystem. One comment on Hacker News encapsulated developer frustration, noting they "pay money for customers who originate from the Apple in-app sales funnel," but wish for more flexible terms[1][4]. Meanwhile, public sentiment highlights cautious optimism as the lower commission could encourage more lightweight mini apps, enhancing user experience on the iPhone[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:40:39 PM
Apple has launched a new Mini Apps Partner Program that slashes the commission rate to 15% for developers hosting third-party mini apps and games on the App Store, cutting the standard 30% fee in half[1]. The program applies to qualifying in-app purchases—including consumables, non-consumables, and subscriptions managed through Apple's Advanced Commerce API—while requiring developers to submit manifest files with metadata for each hosted mini app to comply with App Review Guidelines[1]. This move simultaneously resolves Apple's year-long dispute with Tencent, securing a 15% cut of WeChat mini-game and mini-app purchases, which could unlock approximately $2 billion in additional revenue for Apple as it addresses
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:50:44 PM
Apple has launched its Mini Apps Partner Program, slashing the commission rate to 15% for developers who host third-party mini apps and games on the App Store—half the standard 30% rate.[1] The reduced commission applies to qualifying in-app purchases including consumables, non-consumables, and subscriptions managed through Apple's Advanced Commerce API, with all hosted mini apps required to comply with Apple's App Review Guidelines and provide metadata manifests.[1] Separately, Apple secured a landmark deal with Tencent to process all WeChat mini game and mini app payments at a 15% commission, potentially unlocking nearly $2 billion in incremental revenue annually and resolving a dispute that has persisted for
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:00:55 PM
Apple has officially launched its Mini Apps Partner Program, cutting the commission rate for qualifying mini apps sold on the App Store to 15%, down from the standard 30% rate[1][2][5]. This program targets developers hosting small, HTML5- and JavaScript-based apps within larger native apps, aiming to boost mini app adoption and revenue growth. Additionally, Apple secured a significant deal with Tencent to take a 15% cut of all payments for WeChat mini games and apps, potentially generating billions in new revenue for Apple[3][7][9].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:10:56 PM
Apple has slashed App Store commissions for mini app developers in half, introducing a new Mini Apps Partner Program that offers a reduced 15% commission rate on qualifying in-app purchases globally starting November 13, 2025. The move has drawn praise from international developer groups, with the European Tech Alliance calling it “a significant step toward fairer app economics,” while analysts note the change could influence regulatory discussions in markets from the EU to Southeast Asia.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:20:53 PM
**Apple Cuts Mini App Commission in Half**
Apple launched the Mini Apps Partner Program on November 13, 2025, reducing commission rates to 15% for qualifying in-app purchases from mini apps—cutting the standard 30% rate in half[9][11]. To participate, developers must integrate App Store technologies including the Declared Age Range API and Advanced Commerce API to ensure age-appropriate experiences across markets[9]. This move targets the growing mini apps ecosystem built on web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript, positioning Apple to compete in a segment increasingly popular in international markets where lightweight applications drive engagement[9][11][13].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:31:00 PM
Apple has launched the Mini Apps Partner Program, cutting its App Store commission for qualifying mini apps from the standard 30% to 15% on in-app purchases, effectively halving the fee for developers hosting small, web technology–based apps inside larger native applications[2][9]. To qualify, apps must implement Apple's Declared Age Range API and Advanced Commerce API, emphasizing secure and seamless user experiences, while approval is required for participation[2][9]. This technical adjustment not only reduces financial barriers for developers specializing in mini apps but also signals Apple's strategic push to expand this growing app segment through clearer guidelines and developer incentives[2][9][11].