Apple Just Halved App Store Fees—But Only for ‘Mini Apps’

Apple today announced the App Store Mini Apps Partner Program, a new initiative that allows developers hosting mini apps or games inside their larger apps to qualify for a reduced App Store commission rate of 15%.

“Today, we’re introducing the Mini Apps Partner Program, which expands on the App Store’s ongoing support for apps that offer mini apps. Mini apps are self-contained experiences that are built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript,” Apple said in its announcement.

Participating developers will earn 85% of qualifying In-App Purchase sales within eligible apps — effectively cutting Apple’s usual 30% App Store fee in half. To qualify, developers must adopt certain Apple technologies, including the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API, both designed to ensure safer and more seamless transactions for users of all ages.

Apple describes the new program as a way to support developers hosting mini apps and games without compromising on user experience. The company says the new framework builds on its long-standing support for HTML5 and JavaScript-based mini apps, a format that’s grown popular on platforms like WeChat, Discord, and even AI chatbots.

The timing of this launch comes just as Apple reportedly struck a deal with Tencent to take a 15% cut of all mini app and game purchases made within China’s WeChat — the country’s dominant “super app” used by more than 1.4 billion people.

Apple has been slowly softening its iron-fisted 30% App Store commission structure in recent years amid mounting regulatory pressure in the U.S. and Europe. Even before facing legal opposition, though, the company introduced the App Store Small Business Program in 2020, offering a similar 15% rate to developers earning up to $1 million USD annually. Per a report from earlier this year, Apple collected more than $10 billion USD (about $14 billion CAD) in App Store commissions from the U.S. alone in 2024.

The Mini Apps Partner Program reflects Apple’s growing flexibility as it adapts to new digital ecosystems — particularly as mini apps and embedded software experiences continue to reshape how users interact with apps.

According to Apple, the program’s goal is to ensure that “developers who host mini apps grow their business and further the availability of mini apps on the App Store — all while providing a great customer experience.” Developers interested in joining the program can submit a request form via Apple’s developer portal.