Apple has announced a significant reduction in the commission rates for developers on the China mainland storefront of its App Store. The changes, effective March 15, 2026, lower the standard commission rate from 30% to 25%. Smaller developers and subscription-based app operators will also see their rates reduced from 15% to 12%.
The decision follows discussions with a Chinese regulator, though Apple has not disclosed details regarding the agency or the discussions. The company made the announcement on March 12, 2026, through its Apple Developer news page, giving developers a three-day notice prior to the new rates taking effect.
Simplified Terms for Developers
The reductions will apply automatically, even for developers who have not yet signed the updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Apple clarified that "signing the updated terms by March 15 is not required in order to receive the benefit of the new commission rates from that date." Developers can review and accept the updated terms at any time by logging into the Apple Developer portal.
The changes affect two tiers of commission rates. The standard commission, which applies to Apple In-App Purchase and paid app transactions on the China mainland storefront, has been reduced from 30% to 25%. Meanwhile, the lower tier, which covers qualifying transactions in the App Store Small Business Program, the Mini Apps Partner Program, and auto-renewals for Apple In-App Purchase subscriptions after the first year, has dropped from 15% to 12%.
A Rare Adjustment in China
This 5-percentage-point reduction in the standard commission rate and 3-percentage-point reduction for smaller transactions marks the first publicly announced commission rate change specific to the China storefront in recent memory. Apple stated that it is "committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers", adding that the company aims to provide "competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets."
Updated Agreement and Next Steps
Apple has updated its Developer Program License Agreement to reflect the revised rates and associated policies. The company plans to release translated versions of these revised agreements by mid-April 2026. This delay ensures that all developers in China will have access to the updated terms in their preferred language.
While Apple did not disclose how the reduced rates might impact its services revenue, the move could provide financial relief to developers operating in the region. However, specific details regarding how many developers or app categories will benefit from the changes remain unspecified.
This adjustment underscores Apple's ongoing effort to maintain competitive and transparent business terms for developers in one of its largest markets.