Apple's introduction of the Advanced Commerce API aims to facilitate various in-app purchase formats, specifically catering to developers with multiple business models, including subscriptions, content add-ons, and extensive one-time purchase libraries. This API is designed to accommodate growing app categories such as audiobooks, courses, and creator-led content. Interestingly, while viewing compliance with EU regulations as crucial, Apple continues to insist on its commission system, strategically enhancing developer value to retain their loyalty within the App Store ecosystem, particularly following notable cases like Patreon's integration.
The App Store facilitates billions of transactions annually to help developers grow their businesses and provide a world-class customer experience. To further support developers' evolving business models - such as exceptionally large content catalogs, creator experiences, and subscriptions with optional add-ons - we're introducing the Advanced Commerce API.
Apple said the first use case is apps that have a big library of one-time purchases with frequent updates, such as audiobooks or courses; the second use case is apps adding creator-led content where users can purchase access to that content as a one-time or renewable subscription.
Last year, Apple asked creator platform Patreon to switch to the App Store billing system for creator content or risk being booted out. In response, the company said it will start slowly migrating to Apple's payment system for its iOS app and will complete the process by November 2025.
After the EU forced Apple to allow alternative payment processing and third-party app stores on the platform, the company has been trying to create more value for developers to stay within Apple's ecosystem.
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