Apple is implementing a significant overhaul of its App Store policies within the European Union to align with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company is moving away from its previous 'Core Technology Fee,' which charged developers for every first annual install of an app, regardless of where it was downloaded. Under the new system, Apple will instead charge a 5% commission on transactions for apps distributed through alternative marketplaces.

This shift is intended to lower the financial barrier for developers who choose to bypass the official Apple App Store. By simplifying the fee structure, Apple aims to provide more predictability for businesses operating in the EU. Additionally, the company is loosening the technical requirements for developers to create and manage their own alternative app marketplaces, potentially increasing competition in the mobile software distribution space. While these changes represent a concession to regulatory pressure, they maintain a revenue stream for Apple through the new commission model. The update applies specifically to the EU market, where regulators have been most aggressive in challenging Apple’s 'walled garden' approach to software distribution.