Apple Cuts China App Store Fees to 25% After Regulator Talks

Apple has lowered App Store commission rates in mainland China, cutting its standard fee from 30% to 25% and reducing some discounted rates from 15% to 12%. The change took effect on March 15 and applies to paid apps and in-app purchases sold through the mainland China App Store.

The fee cut is limited to China, where Apple said it made the change after discussions with the country’s regulator. Apple did not announce similar changes for other App Store markets.

What changed for developers in China

China remains a major part of Apple’s business. In its March 2025 financial statements, Apple reported $16.0 billion in net sales from Greater China out of $95.4 billion in total quarterly revenue, which works out to roughly 17% of the company’s overall sales.

In a March 12 developer notice, Apple said standard commissions on paid apps and in-app purchases in the mainland China App Store for iOS and iPadOS are now 25%, down from 30%. It also said qualifying transactions under the Small Business Program, the Mini Apps Partner Program, and auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year now carry a 12% commission instead of 15%.

Apple also said developers did not need to sign updated terms by March 15 to receive the lower rates. The company framed the move as part of an effort to keep terms in China fair and transparent while offering rates that are no higher than overall rates in other markets for developers distributing apps there.

Apple added that the Apple Developer Program License Agreement has been updated to reflect the new policy, with a Simplified Chinese version of the revised agreement to follow on the developer site within a month.

Why this matters beyond China

TechCrunch reported that Apple disclosed the new rates through a developer update rather than through the kind of lengthy public clash that has marked some of its App Store disputes in the US and Europe.

That does not mean Apple is preparing similar cuts in every market. But it does show the company is willing to adjust its fee structure in specific countries when regulatory pressure collides with major business interests.

For developers in China, the immediate result is straightforward: lower commissions on eligible transactions starting this month.

Outside China, the change offers regulators and developers a concrete example of Apple lowering commissions in one market while leaving its broader global fee structure in place. That could strengthen arguments for country-specific fee cuts in other regions, even if Apple continues to defend its overall App Store model elsewhere.

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