Apple has revised its App Store guidelines in the United States. The update follows a court ruling that forces the company to allow external payment links in apps. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple’s past restrictions violated a long-standing anti-steering injunction.
Although Apple plans to appeal the decision, the new rules are now in place. This marks a major change to Apple’s long-standing policy of requiring all in-app purchases to go through its own system.
Developers Gain More Flexibility
With the new update, developers can include buttons or links that direct users to make purchases outside the App Store. Popular platforms like Spotify and Patreon have already started submitting updates to take advantage of this rule change.
Right now, the new policy only applies to apps on the U.S. storefront. However, if Apple loses its appeal, the company may be forced to extend the changes globally.
Epic Games Still Influences the Fight
The changes come as part of the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games. Epic welcomed the update and encouraged other developers to launch their own external payment options. The court criticized Apple’s leadership, stating that “Cook chose wrong” by refusing to change course earlier.
Apple informed developers of the updated rules via email but rejected a peace offering from Epic’s CEO. This suggests the rivalry is far from over.
What It Means Going Forward
This update could signal the beginning of a more open App Store environment. If these rules expand beyond the U.S., developers worldwide may gain greater control over how they sell products in their apps. For now, users in the U.S. can expect to see more direct and transparent purchasing options in the apps they use daily.
