Apple Blocked $2.2 Billion in Fake App Store Transactions

Apple has released its annual fraud prevention report, revealing that the company blocked more than $2.2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions on the App Store during 2025.

The data highlights an ongoing struggle between the iPhone maker and malicious actors who continue to find new ways to target smartphone users. According to the company, this latest figure brings the total amount of stopped fraudulent transactions to more than $11.2 billion over the past six years.

To combat these financial threats, the tech giant relies on a combination of advanced machine learning models and traditional human review. This multi-layered defense system is designed to catch everything from stolen credit card usage to deceptive software updates.

The company also deactivated 40.4 million existing customer accounts that were flagged for fraud and abuse, such as deploying bot networks to manipulate App Store charts or writing fake reviews.

The clampdown extended to the developer side as well. While more than 306,000 new legitimate creators joined the platform last year, Apple terminated 193,000 existing developer accounts due to serious fraud concerns. Furthermore, the company rejected roughly 138,000 new developer enrollments to keep bad actors from setting up shop in the ecosystem.

Apple also rejected over 2 million problematic app submissions in 2025. Security teams noted a persistent issue with “bait-and-switch” tactics. In these cases, a developer submits an app that looks perfectly safe, like a simple calculator or a basic puzzle game. Once the app passes review and lands on the App Store, the creators remotely alter the software to turn it into a platform for financial fraud or illegal gambling.

The report also shed light on threats lurking outside the official iOS ecosystem. Apple stated that it detected and blocked 28,000 illegitimate apps running on pirate storefronts. These unofficial marketplaces often host pirated versions of popular applications, alongside pornography, malware, and unlicensed gambling software.