Apple Gains New Powers to Recover Unpaid Developer Fees in Updated Agreement
Apple has rolled out an updated developer license agreement that could significantly change how it collects fees from app creators. The revised terms grant the tech giant the ability to recover unpaid funds, including commissions and other charges, by deducting amounts from in-app purchases it processes on developers’ behalf.
Impact on Developers Using External Payment Systems
The updated agreement particularly affects developers in regions where local regulations permit the use of external payment systems. In such cases, developers must report these transactions to Apple to ensure the company receives the required commissions or fees. The change “seemingly gives Apple a way to collect what it believes is the correct fee if the company determines a developer has underreported their earnings,” according to the agreement.
Markets likely to feel the impact include the EU, the U.S., and Japan. Apple’s policies vary by region, and developers may need to pay different fees depending on local law. In the U.S., the legality of these commissions is still being challenged. A federal appeals court recently ruled that a district court should consider allowing Apple to collect some commission, though not the full 27% fee previously applied.
Apple’s Authority to Offset or Recoup Funds
Apple’s updated developer agreement specifies that it may “offset or recoup” amounts it believes are owed, including “any amounts collected by Apple on your behalf from end-users.” This means the company could recover funds from in-app purchases for digital goods, services, subscriptions, or one-time app fees. Importantly, Apple reserves the right to collect these amounts “at any time” and “from time to time,” potentially resulting in unexpected deductions for developers.
The agreement does not clarify the methodology Apple will use to determine whether a developer owes money.
Fees and Commissions in Transition
Some of the payments Apple may recoup are tied to commissions, fees, and taxes that vary over time. One example is the Core Technology Fee (CTF) in the EU, which currently charges €0.50 for each first annual install exceeding one million in the past 12 months. Starting January 2026, Apple will replace the CTF with a more complex percentage-based fee called the Core Technology Commission (CTC). This will apply to apps using external payment systems or distributed under Apple’s alternative business terms in the EU.
The revised agreement also allows Apple to pursue unpaid amounts from any “affiliates, parents, or subsidiaries” associated with the account. In practice, this could mean collecting funds from developers’ other apps or from apps published by a parent company.
Additional Agreement Updates
The changes are detailed in Schedules 2 and 3, section 3.4, which focuses on delivering applications to end-users. Other notable updates include new sections on Apple’s age assurance technology, revised terms for iOS apps in Japan, and additional requirements for app developers.
Apple is also setting rules for voice-activated assistants, such as AI chatbots triggered via the iPhone side button. The company is restricting recordings made without user consent, covering audio, video, and screen recordings—tools developers often use to debug apps or understand user behavior. Apple clarified: “Your Application may not be designed to facilitate Recordings of others without their awareness.” The practical enforcement of this rule remains unclear.
Apple did not provide a comment before publication.
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