Apple Cuts China App Store Commission From 30% to 25% Starting March 2026

Starting tomorrow, March 15, Chinese iOS and iPadOS developers will keep a bigger slice of every in-app purchase they earn — five percentage points bigger, to be exact. Apple announced it is reducing the standard commission rate on in-app purchases and paid app transactions on the China mainland App Store storefront from 30% to 25%, attributing the change to "discussions with the Chinese regulator."

The cut runs deeper for smaller operations. Developers enrolled in the App Store Small Business Program or the Mini Apps Partner Program will see their qualifying IAP commission rate fall from 15% to 12%. That same 12% rate applies to auto-renewals of in-app subscriptions after the first year, a meaningful detail for any dev whose revenue model leans on recurring subscriptions.

Apple's developer blog framed the move in language calibrated for diplomacy: "We strive for iOS and iPadOS to be the best app ecosystem and a great business opportunity for developers in China," the company wrote. "We are committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers, and to always offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets."

One practical note for developers watching their dashboards: Apple confirmed that signing updated terms by March 15 is not required "to receive the benefit of these commission rate changes starting that date." The lower rates kick in automatically.

The regulatory backdrop is harder to paper over with polished PR language. China's State Administration for Market Regulation launched an investigation into Apple's App Store practices in early 2025, specifically targeting the 30% fee structure, according to Mobile World Live. The Verge reported that China was weighing a formal investigation into Apple's App Store fees as recently as early February 2026. Apple's announcement, which offers no elaboration beyond "discussions with the Chinese regulator," arrives one day before the new rates take effect.

The stakes for Apple are substantial. China is the company's third-largest market, per Mobile World Live, and accounts for an estimated 17% of Apple's total revenue according to The Verge. The friction has had concrete industry consequences beyond Apple's balance sheet: a revenue-sharing deal for Tencent's Mini Games running on iOS stalled last year specifically because of Apple's commission structure, Mobile World Live reported.

This is not the first time Apple has adjusted its App Store economics under regulatory duress. The company made similar concessions to EU regulators, and The Verge notes the China move follows that same pattern of accommodation. Whether the 25% rate holds or becomes a starting point for further negotiations with Beijing is a question Apple's developer blog leaves firmly unanswered.