The App Store is going to change in these 4 ways

August 27, 2021 Luisa Rey

The App Store will change in the coming years. Apple has settled in a lawsuit with app developers and promised multiple changes. These are the main outcomes of the settlement.

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Apple is going to change App Store in 4 ways

The lawsuit was filed in 2019 by a group of small, independent developers. This is emphatically not about the case against Epic Games, the makers of the popular game Fortnite.

The settlement states that Apple will allow app developers to inform customers about payment methods outside the App Store. This is only allowed if the customer gives permission for this.

In theory, an app like Netflix, which earns money from subscriptions, can therefore build a contact form in the iPhone app, for example. Customers who complete this form will then receive an email explaining how to purchase a subscription outside of the iPhone app.

The settlement does indicate that it is prohibited to inform customers about ‘alternative payment methods’ in iPhone apps. Netflix can therefore not place text in its iPhone app with an explanation that it is cheaper to take out a subscription through them, rather than through Apple.

Also of interest: Expose Malicious Counterfeit Apps in the App Store: 7 Tips

This is also in the settlement

Furthermore, Apple announces an incentive fund for small developers. They receive an amount of between 250 and 30,000 dollars to make apps for the App Store. Dutch app makers cannot participate, because the program only applies in the United States.

Finally, Apple has made some promises. For example, app makers get more freedom in specifying a price for their app or app subscriptions. Apple has also promised not to tinker with the App Store popularity lists in the coming years. These will continue to be based on number of downloads and ratings over the next three years, rather than other weighting factors.