Apple lowers App Store fees in Europe to settle EU antitrust dispute

Apple Inc. agrees to sweeping changes for its App Store in Europe to settle a yearslong antitrust dispute with the European Union, which previously included a 500 million-euro ($579 million) fine. The technology giant is dropping its controversial Core Technology Fee per-install charge for developers bypassing its marketplace, replacing it with a 5% commission on digital transactions. Apple also places developers under a single set of business terms and restricts apps from linking away for payments if users are under 13.

Apple App Store EU changes

• ▪Apple Inc. agreed to a set of sweeping changes for its App Store in Europe on August 18, 2026, to resolve competition concerns with the European Union.
• ▪Apple Inc. announced plans to place app developers in the European Union under a single set of business terms.

EU antitrust dispute settlement

• ▪The antitrust dispute between Apple Inc. and the European Union previously included a 500 million-euro ($579 million) fine against Apple.
• ▪Apple Inc. sought to end a yearslong antitrust dispute with the European Union over how the technology company manages its devices and App Store.

Core Technology Fee replacement

• ▪Apple Inc. agreed to drop its per-install fees for developers in the European Union who do not use the iPhone App Store marketplace.
• ▪Apple Inc. will replace its Core Technology Fee, which was levied on European Union developers who bypassed the App Store, with a 5% commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside its platform.

Developer commission structure

• ▪Under the new terms, Apple Inc. will charge a 5% commission on digital transactions for apps distributed outside of its App Store platform in the European Union.
• ▪Apple Inc. announced on August 18, 2026, that it would adjust its commission fees for app developers in the European Union.

Youth user protections

• ▪Apple Inc. announced it would implement additional protections for younger users in the European Union as part of its App Store changes.
• ▪Under the new protections, Apple Inc. will not allow apps in the European Union to link away from the App Store for payments if a user is under 13 years old.

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