Stripe, the payment processing platform, has introduced a new feature for iOS developers that allows them to accept payments by directing users outside their apps, effectively avoiding Apple’s commission fees.
This development follows a significant ruling in the Epic v. Apple antitrust case, which was announced on Wednesday. As a result of the ruling, Apple can no longer impose a 27% fee on purchases made outside of apps, nor can it control how developers guide users to make purchases elsewhere.
Michael Luo, a product manager at Stripe, demonstrated the new functionality on X, accompanied by a guide on how developers can utilize Stripe Checkout for external transactions. In a sample video, a user attempts to purchase digital fruit with in-app currency, but instead of processing the transaction within the app, it opens Safari and directs users to a “buy now” page.
Additionally, other applications are rolling out updates that allow in-app purchases to link to web platforms, enabling developers to bypass Apple’s commissions. For instance, Patreon revealed plans to update its app so creators can accept payments outside of Apple’s payment system. Meanwhile, Spotify announced that it would allow users to subscribe to premium plans through links within its iOS app.
