The short answer
Yes, in the United States. An iOS game can show a button or link that sends players to its own web store, and Apple currently takes no commission on those purchases. Outside the US, Apple's older rules and regional programs still apply.
That changes the maths for every game that sells coins, gems or packs. A $9.99 pack bought in the app pays Apple 30% (15% under the Small Business Program). The same pack bought on your web store pays only your web store provider.
What the courts decided
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | The district court found Apple in contempt of the 2021 injunction and barred commissions and restrictions on external purchase links in the US. |
| December 11, 2025 | The Ninth Circuit upheld the contempt finding. It said a total ban on commissions was too broad: Apple may charge one tied to costs "genuinely and reasonably necessary" for coordinating external links, set by the district court. |
| December 2025 | The Ninth Circuit also confirmed Apple may not use screens or messages designed to discourage players from leaving the app. |
| March 2026 | Apple's request for a rehearing by the full Ninth Circuit was denied. |
| June 30, 2026 | The Supreme Court agreed to hear a narrow question about civil contempt. A decision is expected in 2027. |
| August 2026 | Status quo: US link-outs are allowed and Apple is not collecting a commission on them. |
What it means for your game
- You can link out today, from the store screen, an offer popup or a "better value on the web" banner.
- You still need in-app purchase. Apple's guidelines require both. Most games keep in-app purchase for impulse buys and send bigger packs and special offers to the web.
- A commission may come back, but it has to be tied to Apple's actual costs, and law firms following the case expect it below the old 27%.
- Your web store has to feel like your game. A generic checkout page loses players at the moment they leave the app. That is the part Appside is built for: the store is drafted from your app's own look, and the player arrives already signed in.
What it costs on each path
| Path | Fee on a $9.99 pack |
|---|---|
| Apple in-app purchase, standard | 30%: about $3.00 |
| Apple in-app purchase, Small Business Program | 15%: about $1.50 |
| Appside web store via a US link-out | 3.9%: about $0.39 |
How to set it up with Appside
- Your server signs a short-lived player token.
- The game calls
openStore()orpurchase(sku). The player lands in your web store, already signed in. - Your server grants the items when it receives the signed
order.paidwebhook.
See the quickstart or try the live demo.
This page explains public court decisions and Apple's published rules. It is not legal advice. Checked October 25, 2026.