Apple asked a California court to approve a fee schedule for outside iOS purchases.
Why it matters: The ruling could affect what app developers and subscription businesses pay when directing users away from Apple's payment system. It may also influence how courts handle App Store commission rules more broadly.
- Apple filed the request in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Dec. 12, 2025.
- The company wants 15% for standard apps, 10% for certain partner and subscription categories, and 5% for Small Business Program apps.
- The Ninth Circuit said on Dec. 11, 2025 that Apple should not charge any commission on linked-out purchases until the district court approves an appropriate fee.
- Epic says Apple's proposed link-out fees are "far outside of the bounds" of the appellate court's guidance.
Apple and Epic are back in court over what Apple can charge when iOS apps send users to buy digital goods or services outside Apple's in-app payment system.
In a Dec. 12, 2025 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Apple asked the court to approve a fee schedule for those external purchases: 15% for standard apps, 10% for Video Partner Program, News Partner Program, Mini Apps Partner Program and subscription renewals, and 5% for Small Business Program apps. Apple said its necessary costs for allowing external purchases are essentially zero under the Ninth Circuit's framing. The Verge
Epic said Apple's proposal goes beyond the appellate court's guidance and said it has about 60 days to file an opposition with expert support. The Verge
The dispute follows a series of injunction orders in the Epic case. The district court first barred Apple from stopping developers from adding buttons, external links or other calls to action that direct customers to non-IAP purchasing mechanisms in U.S. App Store apps. It later found Apple in violation of that injunction and issued a further order barring Apple from imposing commissions or fees on outside purchases and from restricting how developers guide users to them. District court injunction
On Dec. 11, 2025, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the contempt finding against Apple, reversed only part of the sanctions, and sent the case back for the district court to consider an appropriate fee for linked-out purchases or modify the injunction. The appeals court said Apple should not charge any commission until the district court approves one. Ninth Circuit opinion
A separate appellate summary from Reuters also reported that the Ninth Circuit left the fee question to the district court. Reuters
By the numbers
- 15% - Apple's proposed fee for standard apps.
- 10% - Apple's proposed fee for certain partner and subscription categories.
- 5% - Apple's proposed fee for Small Business Program apps.
Yes, but: The appellate court did not approve Apple's fee schedule. It sent the issue back to the district court, so any fee still depends on further court action.
What's next: Epic said it plans to oppose Apple's request, with a filing window of about 60 days.