Apple Launches Mini Apps Partner Program, Halves App Store Fees to 15%

A big shift in Apple’s App Store strategy could set a precedent for how mobile software may be developed and monetized.

Apple has announced a new program that halves the standard 30% fee it takes from app developers on in-app sales for a category of software called “mini apps.” A CNBC report explained that the new “Mini Apps Partner Program” offers developers of mini apps — which run inside other standalone apps rather than as separate downloads — a reduced commission rate of 15% in exchange for using Apple’s tech to build their apps.

The lower fee means developers can keep more money from user purchases made in their mini apps.

To join, developers must apply and meet certain requirements to ensure mini apps are safe and provide a good user experience. For instance, mini apps must have age controls, so children only see age-appropriate content. They also need to use Apple’s payment system to make purchases easy and secure.

This program encourages more developers to build mini apps — written in web development languages like HTML5 and JavaScript — that live inside big apps.

This could change how people use their phones. Instead of having multiple apps scattered across the phone, users might have just a few traditional apps that include many mini apps. This can make phones less cluttered and give users more features in fewer places.

Apple also benefits because it still earns a share from mini app sales inside big apps that previously might have avoided commissions. For example, with this program, Apple will take a cut of sales from mini apps inside Tencent’s WeChat — something it didn’t do before.

The Mini Apps Partner Program initiative also coincides with growing regulatory scrutiny of Apple in Europe and China, where authorities have challenged the company’s control over its App Store and commission rates. A U.K. tribunal recently ruled that Apple’s 30% fee is excessive, suggesting that a fair rate should be closer to 17.5%.