Apple allowed Russian iOS application developers to enable payment bypassing the App Store
Miscellaneous / / October 17, 2023
Apple allowed developers from Russia can enable third-party payments in applications, bypassing the App Store. This option can be enabled in applications available only in Russia.
Thanks to this, the developer will be able to place a link to a third-party payment method inside the application on iOS or iPadOS. It is not possible to combine such monetization with in-app purchases through the App Store. Also, the design of the payment page must correspond to the native style of the App Store and warn the user that Apple is not responsible for such purchases.
To activate third-party payment, the developer (necessarily registered in Russia) must send application for participation in the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (RU) program and configure the application under requirements Apple.
Apple's commission on purchases that bypass the App Store will be 27% instead of the usual 30%. Developers will submit sales reports on their own, after which Apple will generate an invoice for the commission. The company will also be able to conduct audits to verify the accuracy of the data submitted.
The system itself is not new: it was previously implemented for payment by external methods in South Korea and in dating applications in the Netherlands. In Russia it was introduced after requirements FAS allows developers to place links to pay for purchases outside the App Store inside iOS applications.