Apple Receives Just 38 Requests from US App Developers for Alternative Payment Methods

Apple has only received 38 registrations so far from US app developers wanting to add alternative payment methods to their iOS apps. The remaining 65000 developers who offer in-app purchases have so far only used Apple's own payment system.

Apple has received only 38 requests since January from US app developers wanting to use alternative payment systems in their apps. The company announced this during a hearing in a new lawsuit between the iPhone maker and Epic Games writes Bloomberg. None of the 38 registrations came from developers of 'major' apps Apple says.

Some app developers stated during the hearing that it costs them the same or even more to add their own payment methods. Apple has imposed a condition that developers must pay a 27 percent commission if they offer external payment systems. That is 3 percentage points less than when they use Apple's own payment system but because they process the payments themselves the costs are often higher according to the developers.The judge says during the hearing that 'it sounds as if the goal was to maintain the revenue model that [Apple] had in the past.' The judge also blames Apple for not calculating exactly how much it costs app developers to offer alternative payment methods. "I'm looking for data and it seems like you've made a lot of decisions without data."The current lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games follows a previous dispute between the two parties from 2021. The latter then demanded among other things that Apple should allow referrals to external payments in iOS apps. The judge agreed with Epic on that point. "[Apple] may no longer prevent developers from using buttons external links and other prompts to direct customers to alternative purchasing methods" the ruling said at the time.

At the beginning of this year Apple implemented the mandatory changes . These only apply in the US. In the Netherlands placing links in iOS apps has been allowed since 2022 but only with dating apps. Apple applies the same conditions in both cases. In addition to the 27 percent commission developers are required to also offer in-app payments through Apple at all times. In addition users will receive a screen warning that Apple is not responsible for payments on that external website.

According to Epic the strict requirements imposed by Apple are in violation of the 2021 court order. The Fortnite maker has therefore once again initiated an antitrust case against the tech giant this year. It is not yet clear when the judge will make a ruling.