By Nate Wolf
Apple is lowering the commission rate it charges on the App Store in China as the company continues to fend off pressure from Chinese regulators.
Beginning Sunday, Apple will lower the cut it takes from app developers for App Store transactions and in-app purchases to 25% from 30%. For small developers, the rate will fall to 12% from 15%. The move follows talks with Chinese regulatory authorities, the company said.
"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," Apple said in a statement.
Apple stock edged 0.3% higher in premarket trading Friday. It has fallen 5.9% this year as of Thursday's close of trading.
Apple has long tried to reduce the political risks of operating in China while retaining access to the country's massive consumer base. Last spring, a Chinese regulator held up Apple's rollout of artificial-intelligence features in the country with Alibaba Group, the Financial Times reported at the time.
Pressure is now coming from both Beijing and Washington after President Donald Trump's tariffs escalated the trade battle between the China and the U.S. The tech giant has moved much of its iPhone production to India from China since Trump took office.
Write to Nate Wolf at nate.wolf@barrons.com
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March 13, 2026 07:45 ET (11:45 GMT)
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