Apple has updated its developer license agreement to give the company broader authority to recover unpaid fees from app developers, effectively allowing it to deduct owed amounts directly from in-app purchases and other payments it processes on developers’ behalf.
Under the revised terms, Apple may “offset or recoup” unpaid commissions, fees, or taxes by withholding funds collected from end users, including revenue from digital goods, subscriptions, or paid app downloads. The agreement also allows Apple to recover funds “at any time” and “from time to time,” raising the possibility of unexpected deductions if Apple determines a developer has underreported earnings.
The changes primarily affect developers operating in regions where local laws permit linking to external payment systems, such as the U.S., the EU, and Japan. In those markets, developers are required to report off-platform transactions to Apple so the company can collect the appropriate commissions or fees. The updated agreement appears to give Apple a mechanism to collect what it believes it is owed if discrepancies arise, though it does not specify how those determinations will be made.
Apple’s fee structure varies by region and remains legally contested in some jurisdictions. In the U.S., a federal appeals court recently ruled that a lower court should consider allowing Apple to collect a reduced commission on external payments, rather than the full 27% it previously sought. In the EU, developers may face the Core Technology Fee, which currently charges €0.50 for each first annual install beyond one million. Beginning in January 2026, Apple plans to replace this fee with the Core Technology Commission, a percentage-based model applied to apps using external payments or alternative EU business terms.
The updated agreement also allows Apple to recover unpaid amounts from related entities, including a developer’s affiliates, parent companies, or subsidiaries. In practice, this means Apple could deduct funds from revenue generated by other apps under the same corporate umbrella.
These provisions are outlined in Schedules 2 and 3 of the agreement, specifically section 3.4, which governs app delivery to end users.
Beyond payment-related changes, Apple has added new sections covering age assurance technology, updated terms for iOS apps in Japan, and additional platform requirements. The company is also introducing clearer rules for voice-based assistants and AI-powered apps activated via the iPhone’s side button, including language prohibiting applications designed to facilitate audio, video, or screen recordings without a user’s awareness.
Apple notes that such recordings are not banned outright but must be conducted transparently. How strictly the company will enforce the new language remains unclear.
Apple did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.