Apple and Tencent have come to a huge agreement. The two tech giants have reached a long-awaited deal that lets Apple take a 15% commission on purchases made through WeChat’s mini games and apps.
It’s a significant drop from Apple’s usual 30% fee, and as reported by Bloomberg, this agreement comes after more than a year of negotiations between the companies. The deal allows Apple to process payments directly inside WeChat’s mini programs, those bite-sized apps and games that millions of users in China rely on daily.
Developers who want to qualify will need to follow Apple’s software rules, including features like parental control options. In return, Tencent gets breathing room from regulatory pressure, while Apple gains access to a lucrative new source of revenue.
For years, Tencent had allowed developers to steer users toward external payment systems to avoid Apple’s in-app commission. According to Gurufocus, Apple had been pushing hard to close these loopholes and ensure purchases go through its ecosystem.
However, this significant win for Apple in China arrives alongside some tensions. On the very same day, Reuters reported Apple had been refused permission to appeal a ruling that found the company guilty of abusing its dominant position by charging app developers excessive fees.
Over the years, Apple had been forced to loosen its grip on the App Store. In Japan, lawmakers in May this year passed a new regulation requiring Apple and Google to open their app stores to third-party options and alternative payment systems, set to take effect in December 2025.
Meanwhile, in Europe, the Digital Markets Act had already led to heavy fines earlier this year, with €500 million for Apple and €200 million for Meta, while in the United States, Apple’s legal battle with Epic Games ended with a court ruling that found the company paving the way for Fortnite’s return to iOS.
