A ruling on April 30th by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Epic Games v. Apple case now prohibits Apple from charging a 27 percent commission on purchases made outside of apps, as well as from limiting developers in how they can lead users to alternative payment methods. Although Apple has appealed the decision, it is temporarily complying with it, which has led several companies to release app updates aimed at simplifying subscription and service payments. One of these updates comes from Amazon’s iOS Kindle app, which now features a prominent orange “Get Book” button on its book listings, breaking previous restrictions.
“We regularly enhance our apps to ensure the most convenient experience for customers,” said Amazon spokesperson Tim Gillman in an email to The Verge. “Now, by clicking ‘Get Book’ within the Kindle for iOS app, customers can complete their purchases directly through their mobile web browser.”
Although Amazon was not the pioneer of dedicated reading devices with E Ink screens—companies like Sony led that market a few years earlier—the Kindle gained immense popularity due to its capability to purchase books directly on the device, even without Wi-Fi, thanks to Amazon’s now-defunct cellular Whispernet service.
Prior to these updates, purchasing books directly through the Kindle mobile app was not possible due to app store rule changes implemented by Apple in 2011, which forced developers to eliminate links or buttons for alternative purchasing methods. Users could still search for books, download samples, and read titles they owned, but could not buy new titles or view their prices within the app.
In order to bypass Apple’s 30 percent commission on in-app purchases, along with the 27 percent on alternative payment methods introduced in January 2024, Amazon previously required users to navigate to its online store via a device’s web browser to purchase eBooks for their iPhones or iPads. This created a cumbersome purchasing process compared to the streamlined experience offered by a Kindle e-reader.
While it is unlikely that Amazon will change its strategy regarding Apple’s commission on ebook sales, the recent update to the Kindle app significantly eases the process of purchasing ebooks on iPhones, particularly when a Kindle e-reader is out of reliable Wi-Fi range.
Nevertheless, there remains the possibility that Apple could win its appeal, which might force Amazon to revert these updates and once again complicate the ebook purchasing experience on iPhones.
