An Apple store in Shanghai Photo: VCG

US technology giant Apple announced on Thursday local time that it is making changes to the App Store in China by reducing commission rate for standard Apple In-App Purchase and paid app transactions to 25 percent from the current 30 percent, according to the company's official statement.

As of March 15, 2026, changes will be made to the commission rates that apply to the China mainland storefront of the App Store on iOS and iPadOS, said the statement.

Apple's commission cut boosts Chinese developers' earnings, strengthens their global competitiveness, and reflects regulators' efforts to refine digital market rules and foster a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem, a Chinese industry analyst said.

The change was made following discussions with the Chinese regulator, said the company.

In addition to the change mentioned above, the commission rate for qualifying Apple In-App Purchase transactions under the App Store Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program, and for auto-renewals of Apple In-App Purchase subscriptions after the first year, will be reduced to 12 percent from the current 15 percent.

The US company said that they 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.

For a long time, Apple's App Store in China has maintained a commission rate of 30 percent for standard enterprises (15 percent for small businesses), one of the highest levels globally. After this adjustment, the "Apple tax" rate has been reduced to 25 percent for standard enterprises (12 percent for small businesses), the Economic Daily reported.

The reduction is relatively significant and has basically brought the rate down to one of the lowest levels worldwide, the report said.

Apple's decision to lower its commission will directly boost developers' earnings, helping Chinese firms compete more effectively in global markets while encouraging further innovation and growth in the sector, Ma Jihua, a veteran industry analyst, told the Global Times on Friday.

According to estimates, this rate adjustment will effectively reduce costs for China's 5 million developers by more than 6 billion yuan ($870 million) per year, People's Daily reported.

App Store commission rates are being reduced in several parts of the world. According to incomplete statistics, Apple has faced lawsuits, investigations, complaints, or legislative restrictions in at least 10 countries and regions over alleged monopolistic practices related to the App Store, People's Daily reported. Amid growing antitrust regulatory pressure, the company has already lowered its commission rates in multiple markets.

The commission rate change not only improves conditions for developers in China but also highlights how Chinese regulators, as they deepen ongoing antitrust oversight, are refining the rules of the digital marketplace and striving to provide a healthier and sustainable market environment, Ma said.

China is playing an active role in shaping global digital governance standards, fostering a digital ecosystem that is more balanced, open, and inclusive, the expert said, noting that this not only injects strong momentum into China's high-quality economic development but also contributes greater Chinese influence to the sustainable development of the global digital economy.