US EditionApple Reaches Deal to Take Billions of Dollars in China's WeChat
Apple cuts App Store commissions from 30% to 15% for mini apps adopting age verification technology amid regulatory scrutiny and expanding mini-app ecosystems.
- On Thursday, Apple said it would cut commissions for mini apps on iPhones and other devices, lowering fees from up to 30% to 15% for developers using its age-declaration technology.
- Amid a dispute over age checks, multiple U.S. states are pursuing laws for app-user age verification, while Meta Platforms argues this should happen at Google and Apple's app marketplaces.
- In China, mini apps are common and hosted by apps like Tencent Holdings and Alipay, and the model is spreading to U.S. firms like OpenAI; mini-app developers pay commissions directly to Apple.
- The timing matters: Apple announced the program Thursday and the report was published on November 14, 2025, as OpenAI last month adopted mini apps, signaling broader industry uptake.
- Apple says its approach protects adult privacy and offers an alternative, proposing developers accept user-declared age ranges while linking lower fees to this verification technology.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Apple, Tencent agree to 15% cut of WeChat mini app spending
(Bloomberg/Pei Li) — Tencent Holdings Ltd. has struck a deal with Apple Inc. that will see the iPhone maker handle payments and take a 15% cut of purchases in WeChat mini games and apps, resolving a high-profile dispute that’s dogged the world’s largest smartphone arena. The agreement is part of a new Apple program introduced on Thursday that will be open to all mini app providers. To qualify, developers need to sign up to certain Apple software…
Apple Reaches Deal to Take Billions of Dollars in China's WeChat
Apple has reached a new agreement with Tencent that will allow the company to process payments and collect a 15% commission on purchases made inside WeChat mini games and mini apps on the iPhone, establishing a major new revenue stream in China after over a year of negotiations, according to Bloomberg.
Apple and Tencent reach landmark agreement in China
Apple and Tencent have finally reached a deal that will change the way one of China’s most important apps is monetized. WeChat, a platform used by more than 1.41 billion people per month. For the first time, Apple will start taking a cut of purchases made within WeChat apps and games on iOS. Previously, transactions did not go through the App Store, so Apple did not make any money in that market. According to Bloomberg, Apple will process paymen…
After long discussions with WeChat mother Tencent, Apple has agreed on a commission on transactions in mini apps. It also applies to other Devs.
After a year of tension, Apple finally entered into a new deal with Tencent, which allows it to process payments and receive a 15% commission on purchases made in the mini-games and mini-applications integrated with WeChat on the iPhone. Apple has just taken over the big lot. Apple's apple brand
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
